The Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce recently announced its newest “Support/Shop Local” campaign for area businesses: The Great Sebago Lakes Region Scavenger Hunt.

The three-week hunt is open for anyone to play and is slated to begin at 10 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 2. It runs through 10 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 23. Players can pick up their free passports starting Oct. 2 at 10 a.m. at any participating business, www.SebagoLakesChamber.com or at the chamber office located at 747 Roosevelt Trail in Windham.

The object of the hunt is to visit as many participating Sebago Lakes Region businesses within the three-week period. There are more than 40 businesses participating. Once at the business, players must answer the “clue question” posed by the business, to obtain an authorized stamp/signature for their passport. Players who fill up their passports will be entered into one of two prize drawings. Visit 25 businesses and be entered to win a $100 Visa gift card. Visit 40 businesses and be entered to win a grand prize package that includes a gift from each participating business.

“We are thrilled that so many businesses have wanted to participate in this event,” said Aimee Senatore, executive director of the chamber. “One thing I have learned over my short tenure here in the region is that our businesses like marketing events that are easy, affordable and fun – and this event meets that criteria.”

Senatore also said the hunt is timed during what is considered a “shoulder” period in the region. Students are back at school, tourists have returned home, and it’s early for Christmas shopping, she said. This event provides a boost for walk-in traffic for any business open to the general public. It also encourages people to stop into businesses they wouldn’t normally visit or may not have been aware of.

The chamber website lists businesses from Standish, Naples, Raymond, Gray and Windham signed on to participate.

“I am encouraged that we have a good number of businesses from in and outside of Windham participating in this event, said chamber President Edward Powell. “As a regional chamber we work hard to involve as many businesses from as many of our towns as possible, which isn’t always easy.”

The chamber is promoting the hunt inside and outside of the region with hopes of attracting players from as far away as Portland and beyond.

“A key focus of our chamber’s mission is to put our region in the spotlight and showcase the wonderful and diverse businesses serving the public all year long, not just in summer,” Senatore said.

Senatore encourages anyone to pick up a passport and explore, not only for fun, but “to possibly find your new favorite coffee spot, restaurant, essential service provider or retail destination. We have so much to offer here!” she said.