‘Farewell, Waldo party’ is next week

The search for the infamous Waldo continues, but only for a few more days.

The search for the infamous Waldo continues, but only for a few more days.

The bespectacled wallflower has been hiding in nearly 30 island stores throughout July and more than 100 children, both local and visitors, have so far had a hand in the hunt to find the aforementioned secretive fellow.

He has been found everywhere from the Bainbridge Public Library to Gelarto and many places in between, but now the game will come to an end at the “Farewell, Waldo party” at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 31 at Eagle Harbor Book Company in downtown Winslow.

The party will feature a special guest appearance by Police Chief Matthew Hamner, as well as games for the kids, treats and a drawing for a variety of prizes for the dedicated searchers who found

20 or more Waldos scattered throughout Winslow. “Though kids are the focus of the Waldo search, but we’ve been delighted in the number of adults and teens who have also taken part, and visitors from foreign countries who recognize this peripatetic character,” said  Victoria Irwin of Eagle Harbor Book Company. “The British call him ‘Wally.’ Stores have enjoyed meeting folks who do not usually drop in, and everyone likes the thrill of the search.”