(Photo: Dough Duran)
An unusual event is taking place this year
Like a page out of one of Roald Dahl’s most iconic storybooks, one of the originators of the Jelly Belly jellybean brand is launching a nationwide treasure hunt. The hunt, which has sent millions of people into a frenzy searching for some golden ticket-style necklaces, is reminiscent of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” but participants need to make sure they read the fine print before entering.
Owner of Spectrum Confections, David Klein (who sold his stake in Jelly Belly in 1980) is entrusting a candy factory to one lucky winner who is able to locate the “ultimate treasure.” Additionally, one treasure hunter in all 50 states will receive $5,000.
The contest has sparked enormous interest; a “Gold Ticket” Facebook group has since gained tens of thousands of members in just a few days, and the website TheGoldTicket.com crashed due to a high volume of visitors. One thing to note is that the treasure hunt is not free.
David Klein, the inventor of the Jelly Belly jelly bean, is hosting a contest that could help one winner attend candy making school and own their own candy factory. (via: TheGoldTicket) pic.twitter.com/UfGdHTSryh
— IGN (@IGN) September 9, 2020
Much like how Willy Wonka charged the price of a candy bar in hopes of finding a golden ticket, participants need to $49.99 to enter the statewide treasure hunts, and each state is limited to 1,000 participants. “David and his partner have started going across the USA hiding gold style tickets in the form of necklaces in places they come across with an interesting story.
Plans are to have multiple treasure hunts for these gold tickets in each state,” according to a news release. Participants will receive a riddle that will lead them to a gold-colored dog tag, but only one player or family will win. They will receive $5,000.
The grand prize is receiving a mysterious candy that comes with full ownership of the building and a candy-making course at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Klein said. Whoever claims the candy factory can create their own candy company.
“The world needs something positive to get their minds off their problems,” Klein said.
By: Maytinee Kramer
