Will you figure out 'The Case of the Slain Slough Swindler?'

The La Conner Chamber of Commerce's first annual community murder mystery, "The Case of the Slain Slough Swindler," may blanket the business district with amateur detectives throughout the day, Saturday, March 25, a Daffodil Festival feature. This creative event encourages locals and tourists to take their time perusing around town, interviewing suspects and collecting clues to solve a puzzling murder mystery case. Over nineteen local businesses are participating as sponsors, involving a cast of local volunteers who will act as different suspects in the story. Each character will don 19th century garb as pioneers heading West for fertile lands. Participants are encouraged to dress up, too, but that is not required.

"You can do it at your own pace. Collect clues, then sit at a park and mull it over" said Chamber President Chris Jennings, the longtime owner of Jennings Yarn, She has wanted to do an event like this for a long time, she said. Having heard other communities were doing something similar, she thought it would be fun to try it in La Conner.

Things came to fruition last summer when a local writer, the aptly named Surely I. M. Right, approached Jennings with the idea for the story. "It's a big event. A lot of work goes into it," said Jennings. "There's the story, getting sponsors, writing clues and logistics. It's a little bit of an experiment and we'll learn a lot this first time around."

"It's designed to bring in our community and people from outside of town. It's a combination of a fun event along with helping the business community get better exposure" said Mark Hulst, Chamber executive director. The Chamber is running a TV ad with multiple cable network stations and using social media to promote the event to people outside of La Conner, with a focus on east King County – Kirkland, Bellevue, Redmond – and some of Thurston County. Hulst said it is easy for people to drive up for the day, participate in the event, shop, grab a meal and even stay overnight as a staycation. Hulst is excited to bring in more people to experience La Conner's unique stores and businesses in this special way. In fact, he has taken the role of sheriff in the story.

After spending the day collecting clues, everyone will congregate at Maple Hall to identify their suspect in an old fashioned lineup. The big reveal of whodunit is at 5:15 p.m. Participants will be asked to provide their contact information on a slip of paper and then place it in the bucket of their chosen suspect. If multiple people select the correct suspect, then a drawing will take place to declare one winner. The grand prize is a surprise! This is a mystery, after all.

"I'm excited. It's something that has never been done before" said Danielle Dunlap, Mystic Art Supply owner and a sponsor.

This is an all ages, family friendly event. Whether you come solo or with a group of friends, it will be a day full of intrigue and fun.

Business sponsors and clue locations: Beaver Tales Coffee, Bunnies By the Bay, B.U.tiful, Jennings Yarn, La Conner Artists Gallery, La Conner Seafood and Prime Rib House, Mystic Art Supply, Nasty Jack's Antiques, Pacific Northwest Quilt & Fiber Arts Museum, Raven's Cup Coffee, Red Door Gifts, Sacred Cedar, Santo Coyote Mexican Kitchen, Seaport Books, Skagit Cellars, Stompin Grounds Coffee Co., The Cusp Creative, Tillinghast Postal & Business Center and Walking Mod.

Tickets are $15 per person, $25 per couple and $35 per group. Registration starts at 10:30 a.m. and you can start any time prior to 2 p.m. Register at the Chamber's office and get wristbands before starting. Tickets are only available to buy in person that Saturday. Participants will receive a packet with a newspaper and map of all business sponsors, which are clue locations. Wristbands and buttons will identify sleuths and suspects, respectively.

Purchase tickets in advance at lovelaconner.com/la-conners-first-annual-mystery or at the Chamber of Commerce office, 210 Morris Street.

Added March 16 is this information: Registration starts at 10:30 a.m. and you can start any time prior to 2 p.m. Register at the Chamber's office and get wristbands before starting. Tickets are only available to buy in person that Saturday.