Welcome to Anoka, the Halloween Capital of the World and this quick two step multi-cache!
At the posted coordinates, share a selfie in front of the perfectly spooky beacon before solving the puzzle and moving to the final resting place of the cache and log. Don't forget to have a ghoulish time and 'dig into Anoka's haunted roots'and take a glowing charm or two, trophies from the haunted realm to "light" your way to the final location.
From the haunted roots of history to their final resting place, discover the history of the Halloween Capital of the World:
In the early 1920's, Anoka decided to start a community celebration to curb the Halloween pranks and mischief (such as finding cows roaming Main Street, windows soaped and outhouses tipped over) that were common among young people. The idea was to organize parades, costume contests and other activities to keep everyone engaged in constructive fun rather than causing trouble. Anoka held its first Halloween parade on October 31, 1920. The event was a huge success and quickly became an annual tradition. By 1937, Anoka's Halloween celebrations had gained widespread recognition and the City was officially proclaimed the "Halloween Capital of the World" by a US Congressional Record and was later reinforced by state and local resolutions. The tradition has endured for over a century, making Anoka a historic and cultural landmark for Halloween enthusiasts across the United States.
The final resting place of the cache brings you to a local cemetery that holds the graves of many people who shaped the history of Anoka, including Civil War veterans and prominent local citizens.
One of the most enduring legends tied to this location is that of the "Gray Lady". According to local lore, a mysterious figure dressed in gray has been seen wandering the cemetery grounds at dusk. Witnesses have reported seeing her near the older graves, particularly those of children. The story goes that the Gray Lady is the spirit of a grieving mother who lost her child and now roams the cemetery, searching for her lost loved one. People have claimed to feel an unexplained chill in the air when she is near, and some have reported hearing sounds of a woman sobbing in the distance.
To solve the location of the final stage/resting place of the cache, enter the total number of teeth seen on the ghoulish gang at the posted coordinates. Please note that you do not need to enter the cemetery to find the cache. The location of the final hidden cache has permission of the property's management.
You can validate your puzzle solution with
certitude.
* Many thanks to Gat R Done for his patience and help getting the new location/coordinates sorted out for our first hide. *