The University of Iowa Museum of Natural History is partnering with Iowa City Downtown District to bring Where's Rusty? to the campus & community this summer. This museum mascot-themed scavenger hunt invites participants to find Rusty the Giant Sloth hidden in downtown Iowa City businesses to win prizes June 1st through August 31st.
Long-beloved Museum of Natural History mascot, we can't wait to unleash him on downtown Iowa City!
- Director Liz Crooks, Pentacrest Museums
In similar fashion to ICDD's previous runs of Where's Waldo? and Hunt for the Elves, Where's Rusty? challenges folks to visit local shops where a Rusty look-alike stuffed animal is hiding in exchange for a stamp on their card from each business they find him in. Participants who find at least 10 of the many hidden Rustys win a prize and are entered to win the grand prize.
"One of the things that makes the University of Iowa so very special is our seamless campus integration with a thriving downtown, filled with entertainment and small businesses meeting every niche or mainstream desire," Pentacrest Museums communications coordinator Jessica Smith said, "Where's Rusty? is an opportunity for our museum to interact with the many local businesses we love and show our visitors—students and families alike—a good time with some unexpected engagement, exploration, and fun."
The museum's events and operations coordinator Shereena Honary hopes to see local families, staff and faculty, students, and tourists take advantage of the fun. "Where's Rusty? is the perfect way for new students arriving to Iowa City to familiarize themselves with all the town has to offer, and folks who already know and love our town need some fun, too."
Where's Rusty? is free to June 1st through August 31, 2023.
Details to play:
Where can I get a card to play? Any of the participating businesses downtown have play cards. Look for signs with Rusty on the door of downtown businesses or just plan to start at the main drop locations during open hours: Iowa City Public Library, Iowa Book, or the UI Museum of Natural History.
Which locations are participating in Where's Rusty? The play card has the full list of participating businesses. You only need to visit 10 to get a prize and be entered to win the big prize. The list can also be found on the ICDD website or on the sample card here.
Where can I turn the card in for my prize and to be entered for the grand prize? Drop off your completed card at one of 3 main locations: Iowa City Public Library (children's room), Iowa Book, or the UI Museum of Natural History during open hours.
What is the grand prize? Grand prize winners will take home huge gift baskets with goodies from all the participating businesses. From gifts to gift cards, the best Iowa City Downtown District has to offer will be up for grabs!
What are the smaller prizes? Turn in your completed card to one of the 3 main locations to find out!
When/how will the grand prize winner be announced? We will announce the grand prize winners on Instagram Live and will contact the winners via email.
There's only one Rusty. How will he be in so many places at once? We're hiding "Baby Rusty," the stuffed animal version of Rusty the Giant Sloth around downtown. He's adorable and a pretty darn close resemblance, just smaller than an actual giant ground sloth. The Baby Rusty stuffie is exclusively for sale in the Museum of Natural History's gift shop if you need your own.
Is there a Baby Rusty hiding at the Museum of Natural History, too? Yes! Don't be fooled by the Baby Rusty's for sale in the gift shop or the Rusty himself on exhibit, there is a hidden Rusty in Iowa Hall (museum gallery inside the main entrance of Macbride Hall on the Pentacrest). You'll have to take a spin through the gallery to find him and our docent staff will be ready to stamp your card once you do.
Why Where's Rusty? Where's Rusty? is a partnership between the UI Museum of Natural History and the Iowa City Downtown District. Where's Rusty?, similar to the Where's Waldo? and Hunt for the Elves programs put on by ICDD, encourages support of local businesses, play, and exploration. In this case, an effort to include the museum and a local celebrity (Rusty) was made to build as a thank you to the museum which has been in operation with free admission for over 160 years—a pillar in this community. The museum is grateful to the Iowa City Downtown District for their gracious support of our community and commerce.