An enigma, a Lawrence resident hides mugs around town every first Saturday of the month in hopes that all will be found.
Unbeknownst to the people seeking mugs, the Lawrence Mug Hunt organizer says they sometimes linger from afar for a few minutes.
The organizer will never reveal themself — anonymity enhances the mystery of it all.
“I love getting to watch people descend on the park, because it’ll go from being mostly empty, or like, one or two people walking around to just like, 40 to 50 people,” the organizer says.
Mugs are often sourced from local businesses and organizations and feature their logos or designs. December’s mugs were from Big Brothers Big Sisters. The Roost, Lawrence Humane Society, KU Physics and Astronomy, Van Go and several others have provided mugs in the past.
When the morning of that first Saturday hits, the organizer makes a post on Instagram and Reddit. It includes a riddle with a clue that, when solved, reveals the Lawrence location where up to 10 mugs of the month are hidden.
For instance, here’s the riddle that directed mug hunters to Watson Park on the first Saturday of December:
“Chugga-Chugga, Chugga-Chugga Choo Choo!
Here is another scavenger hunt we made just for you!
The location is nestled between two notorious one way roads
We hope our rhyming clues will help you break the code
In the summer, you may be here to swim and splash
With plenty of places to lounge and sun-bask
In the winter, sometimes The City will flood the low ground
So you and your friends can ice skate – round and round
Seven mugs from Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters are hidden
Don’t miss the train, its lights are a beautiful tradition
After your bounty has been obtained
Head East to the Old Fashioned Christmas parade
Today, the whole merry family is bound to have some fun
The mugs are hidden in this two-block park named for Buford M. ______!”
People can freely search the areas, mostly parks. Those who are successful are encouraged to post on Instagram or Reddit — tagging Lawrence Mug Hunt — that they found one, or comment on the original post.
Riley Hoffer, a junior at the University of Kansas, says he and his girlfriend try to participate in the mug hunt every time. When that first Saturday hits, they’re up and ready at 8 a.m. in anticipation.
Hoffer says he’s seen people fully commit — running while searching. Others take it slow.
“I’m from Lawrence, so some of the clues are pretty easy to find,” Hoffer says. “I feel like just the goal is to get there as fast as we can and just start looking around.”
It’s a very wide range of audiences that participate, as well, Hoffer says.
“Yeah, there are a lot of young KU students, but there are also a lot of older people that go out with their hiking sticks and are walking around the park looking for them,” Hoffer says.
Hapless, the couple has only acquired one mug out of their handful of pursuits. They found it “tucked in a coil of garden hose” behind Liberty Memorial Central Middle School, he says. The thrill keeps them coming back.
Riley Hoffer and his girlfriend found the rainbow mug in June – Pride Month. The mug was the sixth of its kind hidden that day. (Contributed photos)
Mugs are perfect because they can be covert for the hunt and useful everyday items for folks, according to the organizer. And they can be slightly more durable than one might think.
One time after they hid mugs at Edgewood Park, the organizer observed a little kid locate one, pick it up over his head, and throw it to the ground. It didn’t break. He picked it back up and marched it to the nearby creek where he made a second attempt, but it still did not break. Before he could try once more, an adult who was also out searching intervened.
The entire ordeal was entertaining to watch, the organizer says, and they got a good laugh out of it.
They say similar to the excitement of finding a mug is the enjoyment of coordinating the hunts. When a couple who originally began the hunt had to step away, they passed it on to the current organizer in late summer 2023.
“I just love that it’s something that is consistent,” the organizer says. “And it’s free, like, people aren’t expected to spend any money. I’ve got people who are regulars that use mobility devices, older folks; I’ve got people who strap a baby to their chest and come do it as a family. It’s just really cool to be able to bring joy.”
Follow Lawrence Mug Hunt on Instagram, @lawrence_mug_hunt, and Reddit, @u/Lawrence_Mug_Hunt, to stay in the loop. Local businesses and organizations interested in providing their mugs for the hunt can reach out via social media.
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Maya Hodison (she/her), equity reporter, can be reached at mhodison@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
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Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
