The Search Is On: Real Life 'Where's Waldo?' Game Hits NYC

By Carly Sitzer

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- You might want to leave your red-and-white-stripped sweater, pom-pom hat and glasses at home if you plan on hanging out around Washington Square Park on Saturday afternoon.

Why? Those participating in the Where's Waldo NYC event might mistake you for the beloved missing person from the Where's Waldo? picture books.

Katie Richanbach, the organizer of the real-life version of Where's Waldo?, explained that teams of two—called "Waldo Watchers"—will search in the area of Washington Square Park for real-life versions of the characters from the series.

If any Waldo Watchers spot Waldo, Wanda, Wizard Whitebeard, Odlaw or Woof, they will take a picture that will later earn points for the team.

Richanbach had the idea for the game after spending Halloween a few years ago in Union Square and spotting a man dressed as Waldo.

"I thought that was a really fun idea to do, especially if you're going to be in a crowded area," she told CBSNewYork. "For your friends it's like finding Waldo. So I thought what a fun idea it would be to do a life-size game of Where's Waldo."

The initial Where's Waldo NYC was planned with a few friends while Richanbach was still an undergraduate at Parsons The New School. This year, she revamped the event and began to publicize it to get more New Yorkers involved with hopes that they not only recall childhood memories but also have a fun and new experience.

"For a lot of people in my generation, Where's Waldo and searching books were a really big part of our childhood," Richanbach said. "I hope that people just have fun reliving that part of their childhood in a new way."

To sign up for the event, slated to take place Saturday, June 25, click here.