Scavenger Hunt set for next week

If you’re hanging around the Balboa Fun Zone on June 27 and see a few dozen people acting strangely, maybe looking more lost than the rest, or jumping up and down next to walls, don’t be alarmed — they’re having fun.

That’s because they got in on the fifth annual Newport Beach Scavenger Hunt, an event hosted by the Overture Young Professionals organization that raises money for the arts and connects young professionals.

“It’s just a fun event. It’s a great way to network,” said Christopher Trela, an Overture board member.

“You meet some interesting people who are from various businesses who are early in their careers, and it’s a great way to find out what someone is doing for a living but also how you can partner with another business.”

Registration for the two-hour fun hunt ends Monday.

Starting at 11 a.m. June 27, participants will be divided into groups of eight and climb aboard their boats and head out into the harbor. Organizers have provided a beer and wine bar as part of the cost of the event.

The young professionals will try to find specific locations and either collect something, or take a picture.

An example of a clue could be something like, “Find a buoy with three rings and opposite a house a canary sings,” Trela said.

While various Newport Harbor businesses offer their own spin on scavenger hunts, the proceeds from next week’s event go to establish an arts education fund for the Balboa Performing Arts Theater, organizers said.

The event has grown in popularity over the years, from an original group of 20 to 30 to now an expected 80 to 100.

With such a number, the competition is sure to be fierce, but friendly.

Trela remembered one year when one boat had the lead on everyone returning to the harbor, but their electrical boat’s charge was dying and as it slowed, the group was passed by nearly everyone, much to their dismay.

“That was pretty funny,” he said.

The top three winners from the weekend fun can win various prizes from theater tickets, wine, to gift certificates to local restaurants.

There will also be a drawing for a two-night, three-day stay at an oceanfront condo in Del Mar.

Reservations are required. You can register at www.overtureyoungprofessionals.org. For more information, e-mail overtureyopro@aol.com or call (714) 317-3771.