NEWS
4/17/12 12:59pm
By Leigh Iler
On Feb. 21, London launched The Faberge Big Egg Hunt. More than 200 eggs were dispersed throughout the city in 12 different zones. Participants could access zone maps online to assist them in their search, which listed the eggs that were found in that particular area. For those requiring more assistance, a cheat sheet showed the location of all of the eggs using Google Maps technology.
Peter Faberge, the namesake of the hunt, is most well-known for his imperial Easter eggs.
Each egg measures two and a half feet tall and is intricately designed by an array of artists, designers, architects and jewelers, making for a diverse range of eggs.
Though the most eggs remain in the same place during the event, one particular egg moves around the city, presenting a challenge for serious hunters. Similar to the classic children’s books where readers search for the missing man in red and white stripes, the “Where’s Wally” egg changes locations throughout the hunt.
Once participants found an egg, they could text in for a chance to win the Diamond Jubilee Egg. Throughout the duration of the hunt 12,773 egg hunters sent in messages, which created a new Guinness World Record.
The eggs were auctioned off both at Sotheby’s and online. During the live auction at Sotheby’s, 30 eggs were purchased, totaling £667,000. The remaining 180 eggs were sold online.
The money that was collected benefits two charities, Elephant Family and Action for Children.
In an effort to spread awareness and protect habitats, Elephant Family has ongoing projects in India, Thailand, Malaysia and Sumatra, to which the money raised from The Faberge Big Egg Hunt will go.
Action for Children supports 50,000 neglected kids throughout the United Kingdom to provide support and counseling to their families.
While living in London during their semester abroad, various Elon students participated in the fun.
Sophomore Emily Liberatore and junior Sarah McDowell diligently searched for the eggs, covering a few different zones throughout the hunt.
“It was a really fun way to see areas that I wouldn’t normally go to,” McDowell said.
Liberatore said they both enjoyed the experience.
“We met a lot of new people this way,” she said.
Those unable to successfully find all of the eggs had the opportunity to view them at the conclusion of the event, when all the eggs were displayed together in Covent Garden Piazza from April 3-9.
