The Great Bookmarks Challenge is a community-wide literary themed scavenger hunt
Participants will learn about our community's rich literary roots and contemporary happenings. Each station contains a unique writing challenge, so get ready to get creative and have fun! By visiting each station and submitting your entry as instructed below, you will have the chance to win all sorts of fun prizes from our generous area business partners.
The Great Bookmarks Challenge runs from April 8th through May 18th, 2022. During that time, visit all 14 Great Bookmarks Challenge locations and find the hidden Bookmarks station at each location.
At each location, once you have found the Bookmarks station, open the hidden wooden book and follow the directions. Each station has a unique literary challenge to complete.
Take a selfie with the book at each hidden station AND share your response to the literary challenge on social media, by tagging IYWP and using the hashtag #greatbookmarkschallenge2022. Your social media posts must be set to "public" in order to be counted. Alternatively, you may email your submissions to: IYWP-GreatBookmarks@uiowa.edu.
For each station completed, you will be entered into a raffle drawing for an assortment of fun prizes. Earn a bonus raffle entry by visiting at least seven stations!
2022 Raffle Prizes
Grand Prize Winner:
An overnight stay at the historic Highlander Hotel, two main-stage tickets at Riverside Theater's new Pedestrian Mall location, and a $100 gift certificate to Basta.
Additional Prizes:
New Pioneer Coop Gift Basket & Certificate ($100)
Various items from Sidekick Coffee & Books ($50 gift certificate, Sidekick t-shirt, Coffee Flight for Two)
Raygun t-shirts
Raygun gift certificate ($30)
FilmScene Date Night Package
Englert gift certificate ($50)
Daydreams Comics Custom Book Selection
Iowa Children's Museum day passes
Handmade beaded bookmark from Beadology
Hawkeye swag from Iowa Book, and more!
Tips for Success
What to Bring:
We recommend you bring your favorite writing utensil and paper to each station. Alternatively, be prepared to take notes and do some writing on your mobile device. Each station requires you to complete a writing challenge which you need to submit (by social media or email) in order to be eligible for the raffle.
Check the Hours:
Most station activities are found outdoors. However, a few locations are found indoors. Check the maps below before you go and then go online to check the business hours of that location.
Reading the Maps:
We've done our best to provide additional information about each station location on the maps below. Whether the station is located inside, outside, and details about accessibility are outlined below. While some of the stations are located indoors, most are located outdoors. None of the locations require an entry fee.
Thank You!
Thank you for participating in the Great Bookmarks Challenge! We hope you enjoy the program and gain inspiration to write more and to learn more about our community's rich literary culture.
Thank you also to our each of the partner sites who collaborated with us to make this event possible. Special thanks to Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature, for advising and promotions.
Finally, we want to offer a huge thanks to our donors. Each of the raffle prizes were generously donated by local businesses and community organizations. If you enjoy this event, please support these local groups by shopping at their stores, eating at their restaurants, or attending their events. Be sure to thank them for their support of the Great Bookmarks Challenge!
