FOLEY – There’s a new project taking hold throughout the streets and trails of Foley, and entire families are working and creating together to get in on the fun. Recently, a new hide-and-seek …
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FOLEY – There’s a new project taking hold throughout the streets and trails of Foley, and entire families are working and creating together to get in on the fun. Recently, a new hide-and-seek type rock craze has been sweeping the nation, one that combines creativity, imagination, and adventure all into one, while remaining a family-friendly activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
Called the Foley Rock Project, participants are asked to both help create new rocks and to go on hunts for rocks that have been hidden by others in various locations throughout Foley.
“Families, groups, and individuals are welcome to join in the fun and create their own rocks to hide. Just remember to add the tag #FoleyRocks on the back,” said Zana Price, who is helping spearhead the project. “First find a rock that has been hidden. Post a selfie with the rock on the Foley Rocks Facebook page. Next, hide the rock in an easy to find location and leave a clue with your post of where to find it.”
While the project is new to Foley, it has been going on in other places across the country for a while. It was through Facebook that local police wives Britney Hudson and Amanda Perdue came across the idea, while at the same time local Laurie Davis stumbled across the Pensacola Rocks Page and was inspired.
“The thought of spreading joy, love, and hope into our community lit me up,” said Davis. “I searched for a group here in Foley and discovered at that time we did not have any initiative as this taking place in our quaint community. The thought of having families sitting at a table sharing quality time together fired me up. I just had to create a page!”
Unbeknownst to Davis at the time, Hudson and Perdue were thinking the same thing.
“My friend Amanda and I are married to Foley Police officers, and we created this group after speaking to some of the other police wives about positive things we could do for the city with our children,” Hudson said.
Since the page was founded, it went from only 60 members to over 200 members in just one week.
Many local businesses are teaming up to work with Foley Rocks to try and get people out into the community. So far, the Foley Visitor Center, the Foley Public Library, Graham Creek Nature Preserve, Live Oak Senior Center, and the Foley Art Center are all in the talks to host rock painting activity days, and are all also pleased to help participants hide rocks near their locations.
“This will encourage others to participate. The children from the Art Classes at the Foley Art Center, Graham Creek Explorer Camp, and Arts & Crafts could get involved,” said Price. She hopes that once the project takes off, the city will be able to take it a step further to produce involvement and friendly competition. “Businesses could get involved by offering the chance to be in a weekly or monthly drawing for rock finders. By bringing in a certain special painted rock to the business, such as a rock with the business’ name or logo, then your name would be entered into the drawing. For example, for a free ice cream at Stacey’s, or a discounted pizza at Mamma Mia’s, or a cupcake at Yummy’s.” She has already begun speaking with local businesses about their participation with the project, and hopes many more will join in. Price also plans to speak with the Foley Farmers Market about hosting possible rock exchanges during market hours.
“We like the idea of a community project that brings joy to the community. We also are excited about sharing local points of interest via the Rock Project. We hope to share this project with our patrons via a rock painting Makersaurus Time in September,” said Melanie Schnieders of the Foley Public Library.
Frans on 59, owned by Fran Hopkins, is also looking to help with the project by selling rocks from a bin for just 75 cents a pound.
“Britney and I started the Foley Rocks page as a way to bring families and the community closer together by spreading kindness and love to others,” said Purdue. “This is also a great way to showcase our local artists’ talents and promote other activities and businesses in Foley.”
A Rock Exchange and Painting Day is currently scheduled for July 15 at the Foley Art Center Studio A, from 1pm-3pm. It will be $3 for supplies and rocks.
If any local businesses or organizations are interested in becoming involved with the Foley Rocks Project, or if anyone is interested in more information about participation, locations, or how to become involved in the project, then they may contact 251-943-4381 (Foley Art Center), 251-943-1200 (Foley Convention and Visitors Bureau), or go to VisitFoley.com.
To begin participating, learning the locations of hidden rocks, or to post your own rocks and get involved in the hunt, visit the Foley Rocks Facebook page.
“Random acts of kindness can touch a heart that’s lost hope,” Davis said. “A painted rock could trigger a fond memory or even speak life into one’s soul.”
