Twenty-one Connecticut bookstores are inviting you to the latest “passport challenge,” where book lovers get their special “passport” stamped at a slew of participating bookstores in the state — all in one weekend (with an exception — see below).
They then become eligible for various prizes in one of several lotteries. This year’s Connecticut Book Trail Passport Challenge starts this Saturday, April 27.
— an announcement from the organizers
What’s In It for You
After getting your passport stamped at a certain number of bookstores, you can be entered into lotteries to become eligible for various prizes. You don’t need to buy anything to participate.
Lots of smaller prizes will go to winners who go to five or eight bookstores. Four contestants who go to 12 bookstores will win $25 gift certificates to each of the 21 stores.
One person who visits all 21 during the weekend gets the grand prize: $50 gift certificates to each of the 21.
Here’s the exception: You don’t have to do it all in one weekend to be eligible for one of the prizes as long as you go to all 21 stores by Labor Day: $25 gift certificates to each of the 21 stores.
How it Works
You’ll want to plan out your trip beforehand, especially if your goal is to visit a lot of bookstores. Note how early you can get to your first one and make it there as it opens, and check out the closing times of the last one or two you plan to visit.
The directions feature on Google Maps can tell you how long it will take to get from bookstore to bookstore. If you’re running late, you’ll be zipping in and out of some of the stores quickly.
You’ll need your bookstore passport. You can download a printable version or pick up a physical novelty passport booklet at your first stop
At your last stop of the weekend, ask for a completion form from the bookseller to provide your information and mark where you visited to be entered in the prize drawings.
A random drawing will be conducted on May 8th to select the winners. Again: No purchase required to participate.
Here’s the Hidden Benefit They Don’t Tell You About
A note from the editor (who participated several years ago, visiting something like 17 stores):
If your driving in Connecticut has only been in the immediate area or on the highways, you’ll be surprised at how beautiful the scenery is as you wend your way along rural roads and through scenic towns.
The town green in Guilford; the inside of R.J. Julia Books in Madison; the drop-dead gorgeous street where Goods & Curiosities sits in Essex; the hilly, twisting road to and from the Hickory Stick Bookshop in Washington Depot will all make you glad you decided to take the drive. (The long drive will also make you pretty tired at the end. Everything has tradeoffs.)
Unless there’s a howling rain storm this weekend, experiencing this scenic state is a prize that anybody gets just for participating. And it may actually be the best prize.
Prize Details
The Passport Challenge website describes the prizes this way:
BOOK DRAGON: VISIT ALL 21 BOOKSTORES!