Odyssey contest seeks adventure

By Tim Kalinowski on June 16, 2021.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDtkalinowski@lethbridgeherald.com

The Lethbridge Lodging Association in partnership with the Lethbridge and District Exhibition will be inviting those seeking adventure and fun in southern Alberta this summer to its first ever Odyssey event.
The contest will pit 110 different teams of two against each other in a battle of wits and wills as they run down clues, complete challenges and gain points for the chance to win $5,000.
“We thought it would be a cool idea to come up with some sort of a concept where we can create an experience where people can kind of go through southern Alberta and have some hands-on experience in a fun way,” says Shilpa Stocker, who is the project manager for the Lethbridge Lodging Association. “We thought this could be something fun people can do over a weekend, and it’s a whole experience, to our knowledge, that hasn’t been done in this area before. It’s a great way for couples or two friends to spend the weekend doing something unique to create some memories, and still have a chance to win a significant prize.”
Half Amazing Race, half scavenger hunt, Stocker says anyone can take part in the event and have a chance to win.
“It’s not that you have to go super fast or it’s time sensitive,” she says. “It is more based on points. We really wanted to be careful about making it a competition almost anybody can enter. About 110 teams will be dispersed to random locations to get their odyssey started, and they will have a day to complete most of the challenges.”
Odyssey 2021 is set to kick off on Aug. 13 and will end on Aug. 15. Contestants will pay a $500 entry fee which will cover two nights stay at participating local hotels and lodges on top of other costs associated with running the race. Two themes for the event will be southern Alberta agriculture and Indigenous culture.
“This is promoting the area, and encouraging people to explore in ways they never have,” says Stocker. “The way to enter would be through the participating hotels, and the entry fee includes two nights accommodation at the member hotel they choose.”
For more information on Odyssey 2021 view visitlethbridge.com/odyssey.

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