Show On Monroe

Get Mark, Get Set… Go! It was time to get ready for The Show on Monroe, as we prepared for the Monroe Ave. Scavenue Hunt. This was an amazing festival sponsored by The City of Rochester, and local vendors around the Monroe Ave. Neighborhood. I would have had no better way to explore the festival than by looking for random clues throughout The Scavenue Hunt. We began the Hunt at the Monroe Ave. YMCA, where we received our official Show On Monroe Team Tee-​Shirts and Challenge Packet. The clue list gave you hints to the whereabouts of 16 Show On Monroe branded signs that where hidden in various establishments up and down Monroe Avenue. Once you find a sign, you need to snap a picture of you and your teammate with it. The clue list was HARD, and getting the locals around the area to help find certain locations PAID off BIG time. Prizes included various gift baskets from local vendors around Monroe Ave. The citizens of Monroe Ave took this Scavenue Hunt SERIOUSLY, as major competitors from a year before where getting pumped like we where about to begin a marathon. Ironically, it ended up BEING a marathon running up and down Monroe Ave like a chicken with my head cut-​off. I even made sure to run by the Unilocal!booth on my HUNT to get a Unilocal!Fan (RARE Unilocal!Item) to cool me off. So let The Show On Monroe Begin!
SCAVENUE STOP: Genesee Center for the Art’s and Education was holding the Spokes and Ink Festival. An iconic display of artwork portrayed by using different parts of a bicycle. It was neat getting the chance to sit on the different art pieces you can ride, while looking for the clue. Yellow Haus Bicycles next store was auctioning off a Red KB2 Torker Bike. Everybody wanted to tork it on that bike! I even made a monkey stamp from the HUGE stamp press they have at the Center.
SCAVENUE STOP: Street Machines and Classic Cars joined with the Roc City Mustangz to give you a thrill ride like no other while looking for the clue underneath all the cars. Every-​time I see a blue mustang, I always wanted to know where my cool rider is? This car show did not disappoint, as these cool riders opened up ALL the doors to there vehicles.
SCAVENUE STOP: In Aaron’s Alley, a balloon «popping» sale was happening. Looking for the clues with balloons popping off everywhere is no easy feat, I almost wish at that point i had «poppers» to deal with all that noise. Aaron’s Alley is the PRIME spot for vintage clothes, awesome hippy wear, and the BEST place to get tickets to ALL your favorite concerts/​festivals. Aaron is such an ICON here in Rochester, that this spot is a Monroe Ave must see destination.
SCAVENUE STOP: Looking for the clue in Archimage got you dizzy as you swept past all the cool collectible items they have. It felt like being in a really cool fun-​house minus the scary clowns. If you were wondering, Archimage is a real English word that dates back hundreds of years. It means GREAT MAGICIAN! I really felt like Harry Potter after leaving that store.
SCAVENUE STOP: Making it mandatory was getting your face painted for the next clue at the Monroe Ave. Library. It was little weird having to get my face painted, and I was more worried about it rubbing off on my spray-​tan. In the end they did a great job painting the Monroe Ave Festival Logo on my FACE.
PIT STOP: It was nice seeing Krypton 88 perform live on stage. There music had everyone swinging and dancing to there Rock N’ Roll beat. The guys everywhere down Monroe Ave. where also drooling over the Pin-​Up Contest held by the Hot Rod Bettie’s. These girls really knew how to lift up there skirts, You Go Betty! Giving out healthy Sweet Cranberry Chicken Wrap samples was the Effortlessly Healthy Food Truck, I really needed that «snack wrap» to energize me for the rest of the race.
SCAVENUE STOP: Marshall’s St. Bar and Grill had a clue sitting next to our resident fortune teller Tom Somerville. Tom was one of 50 BUSKERS who performed, and his role was the Tarot Card Reader. It is always a good idea to get a glimpse into your future, because it gives you a moment of hope. Hope which is an optimistic attitude of mind based on an expectation of positive outcomes. Tom is an amazing artist, and carries that hope throughout others here in Rochester.
THE FINAL PUSH: Once all the clues where collected, we then hopped on the Ugly Disco Bus! Sweat was pouring off my face as I had to listen to DISCO music on way back to the YMCA (starting point). I felt the proud Mary rolling on that bus, as guys where singing while gasping for air. In the end, the Race was HARD, and I came in NO place during the competition. It was one of those days where I took home the «Honorable Mention» Award– Bummer! Next year, I will not under-​estimate the Monroe Ave. Scavenue Hunt.
OVERALL: Scavenue Hunt!-DUH, Pin-​Up Bettie’s, Krypton 88, Roc City Mustangz, Spokes and Ink, Aarons Alley, and the FUNKY Ugly Disco Bus… oh yeah, I will back.