something to do that's not too far from Portland.... (crime, school)

[nancy thereader]

I came upon this in another post on this board. It sounds like a lot of fun, but I'm not that familiar witrh Washington state (though I know where Vancouver is based on Portland). I am not sure how geographically hard this would be to do for a winter's weekend if you are coming from Portland. It's different, all right.

The small artists' colony of Langley, Washington State, is completely taken over once a year by the investigations surrounding a diabolical crime. Visitors and residents attempt to solve the mystery and the whole town gets involved in the interactive play.
The event started in 1984 when bored residents joined together to brighten up a winter weekend. Every year since then they have written another story and acted the roles of "suspects" that participants must interview in order to guess the crook.

If you fancy getting involved, you simply need to pay your US$5 entry fee at the visitor centre (208 Anthes Street) and you are presented with a newspaper with stories about the crime, photos of suspects, a map showing the crime scene and locations where clues can be found. After that, it's all up to you...

All is revealed in a finale at the school auditorium, where the plot is explained and prizes given out. Prizes are awarded to those who solve the mystery

Website:
Langley Mystery Weekend Website

[PNW-type-gal]

Langley's up on Whidbey Island, north of Seattle. About 225 miles from Portland or thereabouts.

[nancy thereader]

I'm sorry and thanks pnw gal (I guess that's why you are Pacific Northwest gal and I am still a out-of-touch New Yorker). It still sounds like a fascinating weekend, especially that far north. And on an island, like "Ten Little Indians" (if anyone is old enough to remember that one) Spooky.