$5,000 treasure hunt is back by popular demand in Manhattan

MANHATTAN (KSNT) - Outdoor Bank in Manhattan is bringing back a treasure hunt next month that could make you $5,000 richer.

KSNT 27 News spoke with Bobby Sloan, director of marketing with Outdoor Bank, on July 30 to learn more about what people can expect from this year's treasure hunt. Many people have been bugging him about the hunt ever since last year's 'golden ticket' was found.

"Since last year, we did the hunt the first time, we've been hearing about it nonstop," Sloan said. "People have been asking if and when we'd be doing it again. It was inevitable that we'd run this back."

Outdoor Bank took to social media on July 29 with a short teaser for this year's hunt with the only hint being it will be announced in August. Sloan tells 27 News he hopes to make the first hint public in mid-August on a Friday as he did in 2023.

The big prize is still $5,000 which, last year, was claimed by a treasure hunter after he found a box containing the golden ticket. Sloan hopes to be out and about while people are searching for this new prize alongside other coworkers at different trail heads around Manhattan handing out swag and smaller prizes.

"So our bank is all about providing great customer service and technology for people to bank how they want, when they want," Sloan said. "Being in Kansas, we also have a close relationship with the outdoors. I wanted to create an event that brings people outside."

Sloan said he grew up being a big fan of the character "Indiana Jones" and wanted to create something that evoked the same feelings of discovery and exploration. Seeing people get outside last year helped inspire Sloan to organize a new hunt in 2024.

"I have yet to hide it," Sloan said. "I have a couple places narrowed down."

This year's treasure hunt will be "in a similar geographic area near Manhattan," according to Sloan. The most difficult part of putting together the new hunt so far has been creating good clues and riddles for people to follow.

To keep up with the clues as they are released, you can follow Outdoor Bank on Facebook, X (Twitter) or Instagram. You can find more information about the hunt on Outdoor Bank's website by clicking here.

"It's a great opportunity to spend time with friend's and family," Sloan said. "Put together your team, the treasure is nice, don't get me wrong, but there's a beauty being out in nature whether by yourself or with friends and family."

For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. 

Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf