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Golden shoe trumps glass slipper

The 8th annual Golden Shoe Hunt April 11 in the Regional District of Nanaimo sees participants search high and low for footwear
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From left Michael Addiscott of Outsider Adventures Inc. and Chrissie Finnie

Forget the pot of gold — look out for golden shoes.

The 8th annual Golden Shoe Hunt will kick off April 11 seeing participants search high and low for footwear.

RDN recreation programmer Chrissie Finnie said the event is somewhat like a treasure hunt.

"Each week a golden shoe will be hidden in one of the regional district's regional or community parks or trails," Finnie explains. "A clue will be posted (on the RDN website, Facebook and Twitter) that leads you to the park and the shoe."

Finnie said the shoe — a running shoe spray painted gold — will contain a waterproof box full of prizes and a log book.

Participants are to record their name and a message in the log book as well as write down the location of the shoe or take a picture of themselves with the shoe (which can be posted on Facebook or Twitter with the hashtag #goldenshoehunt).

"We're encouraging people to get out, get active and explore nature," said Finnie. "It's a really great family activity and also just a good reason to get outside."

The Golden Shoe Hunt runs for six consecutive weeks in six different parks wrapping up after the May long weekend.

Finnie said the regional district has 12 parks encompassing 2,061 hectares of developed trail and more than 180 parks in the seven electoral areas.

"There is plenty of opportunity to enjoy the benefits of having nature close at hand," she said.

This year the RDN is partnering with Outsider Adventures Inc. who are providing incentives and prizes for participants. Finnie said the grand prize will be a professionally fitted pair of trail shoes or hiking boots from Outsider Adventures Inc. Additionally, if participants bring in the location or a picture of themselves holding a shoe to Outsider Adventures Inc. in Qualicum Beach they will receive a two-for-one pass to swim or skate — bring in all six and receive a voucher for a free one-hour kayak for two.

The hunt spans Cedar to Bowser including Parksville Qualicum Beach. For more information visit www.rdn.bc.ca/recreation, where clues will be posted, along with on the RDN's Twitter and Facebook. All shoes will be left in their hiding spots until the event finishes May 16.