Nevada Day Treasure hunting season opens soon

With Halloween closing in and Nevada Day just around the corner, it's that time of year again for the Nevada Day Treasure Hunt.

Started by Jesse Olson in 2000, the Nevada Day Treasure Hunt has a loyal following of hunters who wait eagerly for the next clue to lead them to the "medallion" - a small acrylic plaque, worth $500 when it's turned in to the Nevada Appeal office.

The first clue will be released Oct. 5 on the Nevada Appeal and treasure hunt Web sites. A new clue will appear every day thereafter for 15 days, or until the medallion is found, with clues running Wednesday through Friday in the print edition of the Appeal and daily on the Web sites.

Olson, an Oregon transplant and owner of Sierra Nevada Electric in Carson City, and his family fill the five seats on the Nevada Day Treasure Hunt Committee, and provide the prize.

Last year the Web site received 120,000 hits in the 13 days the hunt ran.

Olson said not only does the hunt helps locals polish up on their facts, it also introduces newcomers to the wealth of history in the area.

"The idea behind the treasure hunt is not only to get people out and about and learning about the area they live in and exploring the area, but bring families together," he said.

But this is the last year Sierra Nevada Electric will offer the prize alone. He said the committee is looking for sponsors in hopes of increasing the prize money, even eventually possibly giving away a car.

To become a sponsor, or register for the hunt and become eligible to win $500 if you find the medallion, visit nvdaytreasurehunt.com.

The 15 four-line clues were created by the Nevada Day Treasure Hunt Committee. The contest will end, regardless of whether the treasure is found, on Oct. 23.