Looking for some adventure and mystery close to home? Then check out the upcoming Mystery Road Rally organized by the Greene County United Way. During the pandemic, many nonprofits were unable to hold the usual fundraising events, and the United Way was no exception. They needed a fun event for the community that would help with their mission, while maintaining a safe atmosphere for those involved. And so, the mystery road rally was born in 2020.
Participants travel by vehicle to special stops along the route where, after completing an activity or challenge, they are given directions to their next mystery stop. Also at each stop, one of United Way’s partner agencies will be set up.
The event takes approximately two to three hours to complete and tours its participants throughout Greene County. All participants finish at the same last stop, where a gathering is held. “Last year the event ended up at Rocky Ridge Acres and it was really nice. Rocky Ridge Acres had their Fall on the Farm event with a pumpkin patch, hay rides, bake sale, food and other activities,” says MaChal Forbes, United Way director
This year’s event focuses on a Clue-like murder mystery theme loosely based off the last hanging in Greene County. Each team will head to the locations to gather evidence and interview witnesses. The winner will be decided by participants correctly guessing “who done it.” There will also be a 50/50 and Chinese auction at the end.
When planning the event each year, they event committee tries to focus on a Greene County-based mystery. Last year, the road rally’s theme was ghost stories and spooky legends in Greene – perfect for the dreary, rainy October day on which the event was held.
This year, they worked with local historians Pat Fitch and Matt Cumberledge for planning the mystery story based off real-life Greene County true crime history. Early in the planning stages, MaChal reached out to Matt, Greene County Historical Society’s Museum director, for his input on major historical events in the area. One of the items he suggested was the last hanging, and he connected MaChal with Pat, a local expert on the event. The final story for the rally was shaped, utilizing fictional aspects to keep the mystery, well, a mystery.
“Matt and Pat have been instrumental in planning the event with us. They’ve attended the event committee’s meetings, and have been very involved in the storyline,” MaChal says.
“We love providing more information about Greene County to our participants, as well as promoting the agencies we work with in an exciting way,” she adds. “We’re very excited for this year’s event. It’s going to be a lot of fun!”
Winners of the event will receive a $50 Sheetz card, $25 GetGo card, and a $25 gift certificate to a business in Greene County. Second place receives a $50 Sheetz card, and third place receives a $25 Sheetz card.
The event will be held the morning of Saturday, October 22. The cost is $55 per car. To register, visit greenecountyunitedway.org or call 724-852-1009.
The event relies on generous sponsors and volunteers to provide the best experience possible. Current sponsor EQT has been instrumental in providing the event, and the United Way is looking for additional sponsors that would like to donate cash or items. They also welcome volunteers that would like to assist with the planning and execution of this and future events.
