Newton Falls Treasure Hunt Tom Colosimo Six Questions

Newton Falls Treasure Hunt: Quick Overview

Six Questions with Tom Colosimo:

Newton Falls Treasure Hunt is set to launch March 3rd, 2026! This is an exciting free hunt for a bounty that continues to grow – it is already at 15+. How high will it go, you might ask? Time will tell….

For now though…. I had the opportunity to chat with Tom Colosimo. Tom is the creator behind this hunt, and he’s using it to support local small businesses—a mission that makes the adventure even more meaningful.

Let’s dive in and hear what he can tell us about this quest:

  • 1Q) Congrats on the growing enthusiasm for your hunt! Do you remember the moment when the hunt went from just an idea in your head to something you decided you were really going to make happen? What did the path from concept to launch actually look like for you?

For years, our town has struggled to sustain small businesses. Many have come and gone, and several others have spent long stretches on the verge of closing. For the past five years, I have consistently tried to think of ways to bring people back into town, not just for a single visit, but in a way that would create momentum and renewed interest.

One night, while lying in bed scrolling through TikTok before falling asleep, I came across a short documentary about Forest Fenn and his hidden treasure. More than 350,000 people traveled across the country searching for that treasure, and that was the moment the idea clicked. I thought something like this could be done for our town on a smaller scale.

The next morning, I announced on the Fieldview Acres Mercantile Facebook page that we would host a treasure hunt, initially donating $1,000 in cash and silver. A local car dealership owner soon joined in by donating a $5,500 Gold Eagle coin. From there, sponsors came forward rapidly, and the hunt grew into a full-scale event with national attention.

  • 2Q) Without giving anything away, can you walk us through how the hunt works and what searchers actually need to do or know to get started?

Beginning on March 3rd at noon, the treasure hunt will officially launch with the release of the first clue on the Fieldview Acres Mercantile Facebook page. A new clue will be released every two weeks on Tuesdays at noon until all ten clues have been published.

Each clue requires participants to be physically present at a specific location in Newton Falls. The clues cannot be solved online and must be completed in sequence to reach the final key and treasure.

  • 3Q) Since the hunt centers around Newton Falls and clues come out over time, what would you suggest for someone who needs to travel from far away? Can most of the solving be done from home so they could plan one single trip later or would they have to visit multiple times?

The clues are intentionally designed to require participants to be physically present at specific locations. The goal is to bring people into Newton Falls to experience our waterfalls, covered bridge, USO building, and historic downtown, all listed on the National Register of Historic Places, while supporting local small businesses.

  • 4Q) Will the actual treasure of gold, silver, and other valuable items be hidden or will it be a proxy item?

Yes, the treasure is real and consists of tangible valuables, including over $8,000 in gold and silver coins, more than $7,000 in cash, and additional valuable items. The final clue leads to a note and key that reveal the treasure’s location.

  • 5Q) Is the treasure accessible to find 24/7? Is it possible to be found with the release of the first clue? Once all clues are solved correctly, how precise of a spot is given? Do you feel a searcher will have complete confidence in the location before going out to search?

It is impossible to locate the treasure with the release of the first clue. All ten clues are required to determine the final location. The location is extremely precise, and at this time I am the only person who knows it.

  • 6Q) What kind of experience are you hoping searchers have, and what is your main goal in designing the hunt the way you did? Are you planning on any future hunts?

My hope is that participants enjoy not just the hunt, but the opportunity to see what Newton Falls has to offer. The treasure has surpassed $17,000 in value and continues to grow daily as sponsors come forward with $500 donations.

The total value could reach $20,000, $30,000, $40,000, or more. If this hunt is successful, I plan to make it an annual event that continues to support local businesses and bring visitors into our town.

Newton Falls Treasure Hunt map