February 25th and February 26th
The last weekend in February is rapidly approaching and once again residents of the quiet Whidbey Island town of Langley are anticipating another weekend of mystery and mayhem. A tourist’s untimely termination is never trivial in a small town – and Langley is no exception. After 28 years of February madness it’s a safe bet that Langley will be filled with a troupe of trendy, tasteful and tattered tenants and tourists trying to solve the annual offense. Rumor is that this year gold fever is in the air.
What started out as a weekend amusement for locals in what would otherwise be a slow time of year in this Village by the Sea has become, arguably, the longest running mystery production of its kind. It has been created for more than a decade now by the aptly named Looney Productions led by Loretta Martin. The Langley Chamber of Commerce organizes this fun-filled weekend, but the local merchants, restaurants and residents all get in on the act. For two days in February the population of this small town nearly triples and everyone has a good time…come rain or shine…or snow…or wind. Nothing stops this intrepid troop.
The fun kicks off at 10AM at the Langley Chamber of Commerce located at 208 Anthes Avenue on Saturday and Sunday, February 25th and 26th. Pick up a Langley Mystery Weekend Clue Map and Entry Form. It only costs $10 per person or $25 for groups of 4 to play for two days! With the once yearly edition of The Langley Gazette and a clue map in hand and you are good to go. Pick up clues, interrogate suspects and postulate your own hypothesis (or just figure out who you think dunit!)
It’s fun for all ages. Come as a single and meet new super-sleuthing friends. Bring the family or get a bunch of friends together. Whether it’s for one day or two, make use of all those CSI, NCIS and Law and Order skills acquired over years of observation. The clues are spread out all over the city and the weekend culminates on Sunday afternoon when, ala a Miss Marple drawing room solution, I.B. Fuzz calls all the suspects together and tells the assemblage whodunit.
If you’re interested in joining in the fun and feel like combining this adventure with an Island cruise, hop on the Victoria Clipper for smooth sailing from downtown Seattle to the heart of the action in Langley’s Small Boat Harbor. Usually one of the suspects will fill you in as the ship heads north to Whidbey. There is plenty of time for sleuthing, lunching and shopping before the southerly sail back to Seattle. And if you promise to keep a secret, someone will be on board to give the solution. Best of all, you do not have to be present to win one of the many prizes that are awarded for solving the mystery…or at least trying.
Wander on Whidbey this February – check out what a wonderful town Langley can be to visit…and a wonderful place to live.
