The Masquerade Tribute – a yearly event for treasure hunters!
What is The Masquerade Tribute?
Each year Armchair Treasure Hunters come together as a community to participate in the annual Masquerade Tribute of Hunts for Charity. Proceeds from this yearly event are given to charity. The event is to honor not only the 1979 treasure hunt entitled Masquerade, which coined the term of ‘armchair treasure hunt’, but to pay tribute to the entire hobby.
Multiple treasure hunts are released on March 21 – near the Spring Equinox. Clues are given in each of the hunts for their individual treasures. The first person/s to solve the clues can claim the treasures. Hunts vary from being fully armchair to BOTG.
Masquerade Tribute 2025
2025 is the 5th year for the Tribute! Each year has been a bit different, yet always a success – with generous creators, multiple winners, and monies raised for charity. This year there are 7 contributors – Este’s Quest, Originovel, Team Nobody treasure hunts, Forgotten History Hunts, Riddle Me This, The Puzzle Master, and Mysterious Writings.
The National Park Foundation is the featured charity. Mini Puzzles by Forgotten History Hunts begin releasing 2/21 – register today to join all the fun!
Summaries of Past Tributes
- Masquerade Tribute 2024
In 2024, there are 7 main hunts. These hunts and prizes were generously donated by Riddle Me This hunts, Forgotten History Hunts, Mysterious Writings, MS Digging Rules, TAOHM, TC Treasure, and The Hope Chest. There were also 7 Mini Hunts released, along with holding multiple random drawings from participants of the hunt. There were over 30 different winners in the 2024 Tribute.
Participants donated directly to their charity of choice for the year. Because of this the total amount given to charity is unknown. However, from the number of players and past year amounts, it is estimated around $2500 was raised. (More details)
- Masquerade Tribute 2023
There were 7 contributors to the Treasure and Puzzle Hunts released in the 2023 Tribute. They were Forgotten History Hunts, Riddle Me This, Mysterious Writings, The Allusionati, The Puzzle Master, The Secret Podcast, and Medallion Militia.
There were over 30 winners in the numerous puzzles, games, hunts, and drawings. Close to $4000 was raised for charities. (More details)
- Masquerade Tribute 2022
There were 6 Main Hunts in the 2022 Tribute. Contributors were David Cohen, Originovel, Forgotten History Hunts, TAOHM, Mysterious Writings, and TC Treasure. There were lots of other puzzles, games and drawings. There were over 40 winners in the Tribute with over $4000 raised for charities.
Many other treasure hunt creators donated to Treasure Cache drawings. These contributors include George Ward, Sean Cronin, David Jacobson, 3D Bronze, CopperDan, Michel Becker, Natalie Nelson, LisaF, Adrian K, Kit Palencar, Prof. F. and Houses Asunder (Complete Summary)
- Masquerade Tribute 2021
There were 9 Main Hunts in the 2021 Tribute. Contributors were CopperDan, Martin Smith, Forgotten History Hunts, Robert Brewer, Bill Gardner, Natalie Nelson, TAOHM, Mysterious Writings, and Dustin and Deidra White.
There were numerous other puzzles, games, and drawings for chances to win. All total there were over 40 winners. Close to $4500 was raised for charity. (Complete summary)
FAQ’s on MT
1)What is the significance of $19.79?
1979 is the year the Masquerade treasure hunt by Kit Williams was published. Since this event is a Tribute to Masquerade, $19.79 is seen as the perfect minimum contribution required for the hunts.
2)Why are the hunts released on the Spring Equinox?
In the Masquerade treasure hunt, it was on the Equinox (Spring or Fall) that was the time of year Catherine’s Cross cast the shadow pinpointing the location of the buried Hare. It seemed then to be a great time for release of the Tribute! While the date changes slightly from year to year, The Masquerade Tribute is always released on March 21.
3)Do you have to know anything about the 1979 Masquerade Treasure Hunt to solve the Tribute Treasure Hunts?
No. All Tribute hunts can be solved from what is presented for each, and following their clues to a solution to claim its particular treasure.
4)Are the MT Treasure Hunts BOTG or Fully Armchair?
Each of the contributors decides which it will be for their own. The hunts vary and are noted in the information for that hunt.
5)Who are the Creators of the MT Treasure Hunts?
The creators are active members of the treasure hunting community. Each year there is a different set of contributors. They are talented, generous, and knowledgeable persons of the craft. See the particular year’s MT hunt summary for the list of contributors for that year.
6)What are the values of each of MT Treasures?
It is difficult to give an exact amount. Many of the prizes are one of a kind treasures or keepsakes. The Winner of each Treasure Hunt will receive one of the Collectible Tribute Tokens in addition to the prizes being given by each creator for their hunt. The values the Creators have approximated for their prizes are listed with their information. (It must be kept in mind that many may become collectibles and in time be worth more than originally stated)
The last hunt solved receives a bonus Treasure. Anyone can join the adventures to the very end.
7)Where is The Masquerade Tribute Hunt released?
The Tribute is hosted by Mysterious Writings. It is released on the MW Forum / Website.
8) Is there an end date for The Masquerade Tribute of hunts?
Yes. The end date for all treasure hunts is 12/31. If needed, clues will be given out to help searchers to claim the treasures of the hunts. If any hunt goes unsolved, the prizes will be donated to charity.