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. All proceeds of 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 for The Annual Masquerade Tribute are released on 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 or BOTG.
The 2023 Masquerade Tribute is scheduled to be released 3/20/23. More details upcoming.
The 2022 Tribute has now ended – ALL six treasures (and more) claimed. Full summary upcoming.
Treasure Hunt contributors of 2022 were:
- Forgotten History Hunts
- The Art of Hidden Messages
- David Cohen
- @Dominoadventure
- TC Treasure
- Mysterious Writings
The above contributors are talented creators. They are donating a Treasure Hunt and TREASURES for YOU to claim in this yearly event.
Learn more about them in their Featured Contributor Segments with Sneak Peek releases:
Bonus Treasure for the Last Masquerade Tribute Hunt to be Solved
Whoever solves the last remaining treasure hunt puzzle, will not only win the prize for that particular hunt, but will also be awarded a bonus treasure prize.
Fun until the very end! Join the adventures at any time during the course of the event!
Bonus Prize are 3 books of Kit Williams (Masquerade, Untitled, and Out of One Eye) and an Aquamarine gemstone. (Donated by MysteriousWritings)
Also added by TC TREASURE to the Bonus Treasure Prize is a poster of the OVER THE MOON treasure hunt of the 2022 Tribute:
UPDATE: A copy of Escape Room Puzzles and Cain’s Jawbone have also been added to the bonus prize.
ALL PROCEEDS go to charitable organizations:
For 2022 they are:
- -The Humane Society of the United States
- -St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital
- -Organization for Autism Research
- TheSamFund.org
More info: HERE – Monies will be split between these organizations.
Register for the 2022 Masquerade Tribute
HOW TO REGISTER
1)Register for the 2022 Masquerade Tribute by donating $19.79 or other desired amount.
2) Please include Needed information in NOTE SECTION when donating: MW Forum Username and Mailing Address for Tribute Card
In the donation link, please include your MW Forum Username. If you have donated over $30, also include address to send Tribute Card. This step of including your MW Forum USERNAME is in order to be granted access to the Tribute’s Private Hunt section on the MW Forum where the Hunt Materials will be released on 3/20/22.
2022 Donors to Treasure Caches:
There is also another exciting element added to the 2022 Masquerade Tribute! Since The Tribute is an event which honors the entire hobby of armchair treasure hunting, there are contributors also donating towards drawings of ‘Treasure Caches’. These persons are active members of the treasure hunting community as well. Their donations will represent either a past or present armchair treasure hunt.
We have donations coming in from:
- George Ward representing The Secret
- Natalie Nelson representing Echo the Owl
- David Jacobsen representing The Hatter’s Hat
- CopperDan representing The Troll’s Cache
- 3D Bronze representing DB Cooper Was Here
- Sean and Hilary representing Xavier MarX and the Missing Masterpieces
- Adrian K and Lisa F representing Rhapsody in Grey treasure hunt
- Kit Palencar representing The Hunt for the 13th Casque (Secret Tribute)
- Candy and Mindy representing Houses Asunder
- Michel Becker representing The Golden Treasure of the Entente Cordiale
- Professor F representing CRACKED
- MysteriousWritings representing The Diamond Scrolls
- Miscellaneous items from anonymous donors
The donated items will be distributed to create three different Treasure Caches. There will be……
Drawings for the Tribute Treasure caches were held 3/30/2022 at noon EST from all entries received by 3/29/2022.
PRIZES OF TREASURE CACHES ENDED
CONGRATS TO CAKUNCH WHO WON #1
Treasure Cache #1: The Family Cache (value over $100)
- Xavier MarX and The Missing Masterpieces – donated by Sean and Hilary
- Books relating to the Houses Asunder hunt – donated by Mindy and Candy
- The Ultimate Guide to Armchair Treasure Hunts and Codes and Ciphers book – donated by MW
- Mystery Puzzle – anonymous donor
- Secret Tribute T-Shirt – Created by Kit Palencar
- Cain’s Jawbone – donated by njarchunter
- The Hatter’s Hat treasure hunt book and 2 Silver Coins – donated by David Jacobsen
CONGRATS TO KNJB416 WHO WON #2
Treasure Cache #2: The Seeker’s Cache (value over $150)
- Cache of Gemstones – donated by Natalie Nelson of ECHO the OWL
- Bitcoin Keychain – donated by CRACKED (Professor F)
- Treasure Hat featuring The Secret Podcast and MW logos – donated by George Ward
- MW T-Shirt and ‘Treasure the Adventure’ diamond (unnumbered)- donated by MW
- 3D Bronze Treasure Chest – donated by 3D Bronze
- Ben Asen Print of THE SECRET for Rhapsody in Grey treasure hunt – donated by Adrian and Lisa
CONGRATS TO FORESTBLIGHT WHO WON #3
Treasure Cache #3: The Collector’s Cache (value over $250)
- JJP original drawing and Gold Bug book – donated by George Ward
- Collector’s edition of A Treasure’s Trove – anonymous donor
- The Troll’s Cache Map and Coin – donated by CopperDan
- Quest DragonTooth treasure hunt book – donated by MW
- Framed Unicornis PostCard Print – donated by MW
- Maranatha treasure hunt book – donated by MW
- Merlin Mystery book – anonymous donor
- Maze book – anonymous donor
CONGRATS TO MIKEC WHO WON THE BONUS CACHE
BONUS TREASURE CACHE
All those who register for the 2022 Masquerade Tribute of Hunts for Charity (Six Treasure Hunts) by donating $19.79 or above will automatically be entered into a drawing for a first printing ‘Once Upon A While’ signed by Forrest Fenn, with an exclusive Forrest Fenn Gold Medallion.
See full details/no purchase necessary/rules/terms/conditions
2022 Collectible Tribute Cards
The Masquerade Collectible Tribute Card for 2022 is shown below. The token is of durable cardstock. It acts as the trading card for 2022. On the front of the 2.5 inch diameter sized card is featured a young girl playing in a meadow with a Masquerade Mask. Much in liking to the cover of Masquerade.
The back features the list of Treasure Hunt Contributors for the year. The front and back of the card also highlight the Sun and Moon, heeding back to the story of Masquerade, where the Moon falls in love with the Sun – but often unseen to each other – like the Front and Back of a Token. The 2022 Tribute Card was designed by Jenny Kile.
There are Five Different Donation Levels of Registration:
- Donate $19.79 or over: Searcher will be registered for all Six Tribute Hunt Materials (and automatically entered into a contest drawing for Bonus Treasure Cache)
- Donate $30 or over: Searcher will be registered for all Six Tribute Hunt Materials and receive one of the collectible Tribute Cards sent to them for free.
- Donate $50 or over: Searcher will be registered for all Six Tribute Hunt Materials, receive one of the collectible Tribute Cards sent to them, and be automatically entered in a contest drawing for Treasure Cache #1.
- Donate $75 or over: Searcher will be registered for all Six Tribute Hunt Materials, receive one of the collectible Tribute Cards sent to them, be automatically entered in a contest drawing for Treasure Cache #1, and Treasure Cache #2.
- Donate $100 or over: Searcher will be registered for all Six Tribute Hunt Materials, receive one of the collectible Tribute Cards sent to them, be automatically entered in a contest drawing for Treasure Cache #1, Treasure Cache #2 and Treasure Cache #3.
ALL PROCEEDS ARE GIVEN TO CHARITY:
CLICK TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE FOUR CHARITIES
FUN AND GAMES BEGIN 2/15/2022
DON’T MISS OUT! REGISTER EARLY!
Summary of the Six Treasure Hunts in The 2022 Masquerade Tribute of Hunts for Charity (full details upon release)
Forgotten History Hunts: REX’S ADVENTURE
Fully Armchair. Treasure is: Chest of coins, jewelry, and gemstones. Valued at approx. $300 (cannot disclose specific contents as they may relate to the solution of the puzzle)
Art of Hidden Messages: SQUID GAME
Fully Armchair. Treasure is: Original pen and ink artwork of hunt and Squid Brooch. Valued at approx. $75.
TC Treasure: OVER THE MOON
BOTG (with Armchair Bonus Prize Option). Treasure is: Mystery Loot Box valued at approx. $350-$400 (cannot disclose specific contents as they may relate to the solution of the puzzle)
@DominoAdventure: THE HAREBRAINED PLAN
BOTG. Treasure is: American Coin Treasures Lucky Rabbit / Irish Hare Eire Coin Pendant on Silvertone Chain | Pewter Rabbit Holding Magnifying Glass (the Proxy) | $50 Penzeys Spices Choose Love Gift Card | $50 REI – Explore Gift Card | $100 Congrats Amazon Gift Card *OR $100 donation to charity in winner’s name | (2) X-Plore Wilderness Survival-Kit Paracord Bracelets | Special prize Book (Not Masquerade) | WISE WINNER bracelet by Things Uncommon originovel llc surprise gift. Valued at approx. $350
David Cohen: WHAT HIDES THE PRIZE
Fully Armchair. Treasure is: Deep purple amethyst geode egg on a brass rabbit stand. “Impossible / Levitating” Tensegrity table. Rare amethyst rainbow crystal geode egg. Deck of Scrabblegram cards (for each member of a winning team, max 5). Valued at approx. $250
MysteriousWritings: THE QUEST
Fully Armchair. Treasure is: Cryptex with Pearl inside, Signed book and Canvas Print from the children’s book The Quest by Jenny Kile (Inspiration of Hunt), small antique and curious items in Treasure Chest. (cannot disclose specific contents as they may relate to the solution of the puzzle) Valued at approx. $400
The winner of the last hunt solved will also receive the Bonus Prize valued at $150.
FAQ’s on The Annual Masquerade Tributes
1)What is the significance of $19.79?
1979 is the year the Masquerade treasure hunt by Kit Williams was published. Since all proceeds go to charity, it was thought this would be the perfect minimum price to set for The Masquerade Tribute of treasure hunts.
2)Why is The Masquerade Tribute being 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 Masquerade Tribute!
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 Masquerade Tribute Treasure Hunts BOTG or Fully Armchair?
Each of the contributors to The Masquerade Tribute of Hunts 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 Masquerade Tribute Treasure Hunts?
The creators for The Masquerade Tribute hunts 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 Masquerade Tribute for the list of contributors of that year.
6)What are the values of each of The Masquerade Tribute Hunt’s 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 Masquerade Tribute is released on the MW Forum / Website. You must be registered and logged into the MW Forum to have access to the section where it is posted.
8) Is there an end date for The Masquerade Tribute of hunts?
Yes. The end date for all Masquerade Tribute Treasure Hunts is 12/31/22. 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.
9)Where is the money going to be donated?
ALL PROCEEDS go to charitable organizations decided upon for the year.
For 2022 they are:
- -The Humane Society of the United States
- -St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital
- -Organization for Autism Research
- TheSamFund.org
More info: HERE Monies will be split between these organizations.
How do I register for the Tribute of Hunts?
As mentioned above, there are TWO STEPS. First Donate the desired amount and then send required information to gain access to where the Hunt Materials will be released on 3/20/21.