The Hunt 2026: The Cold Case of Eliza Hartwell

The Hunt 2026: The Cold Case of Eliza Hartwell

For decades, the disappearance of Eliza Hartwell has remained one of Union City’s most puzzling unsolved mysteries. Witnesses offered conflicting accounts. Evidence seemed to vanish. Rumors spread throughout the community, but no one ever discovered the truth.

Now, one hundred years later, the case has been reopened.

On Saturday, August 1, 2026, participants will gather at the Union City Public Library to receive their official case files and begin an immersive mystery-solving adventure unlike anything else at State Line Heritage Days. From the moment the investigation begins, you’ll step into the role of a detective tasked with uncovering what really happened to Eliza Hartwell.

Throughout the event, you’ll follow clues, examine evidence, interview characters, decipher puzzles, and uncover hidden pieces of information scattered throughout the community. Every clue brings you one step closer to understanding the events that led to Eliza’s disappearance. Some evidence may point in one direction, while other discoveries may raise entirely new questions. Success will require observation, critical thinking, teamwork, and determination.

Unlike a traditional scavenger hunt, The Hunt is a story-driven mystery experience. Participants are not simply searching for objects—they are unraveling a cold case. As the investigation unfolds, you’ll encounter suspects, motives, secrets, and unexpected twists that challenge your assumptions and force you to think like a true investigator.

The first participant or team to correctly solve the mystery and submit the complete solution will be crowned the winner of The Hunt 2026.

To learn more visit the official page here.

Official Rules

Registration

  • All participants must register before participating. No registrations will be allowed the day of the event.
  • Registration is free, with an optional VIP registration available.
  • Participants must provide accurate contact information.
  • Participants under 18 should have parent or guardian permission to participate.

Eligibility

  • The Hunt is open to the public.
  • State Line Heritage Days committee members directly involved in creating, administering, or testing The Hunt are not eligible to compete for prizes.
  • Immediate family members of Hunt organizers may participate but will not be eligible for prizes.

Starting the Hunt

  • The Hunt begins on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at 10:00 AM at the Union City Public Library.
  • Participants must attend the opening briefing to receive their case file and starting materials.
  • No clues or materials will be released before the official start.

Participation

  • Participants may compete individually or as a team.
  • Teams are limited to four people.
  • Team members must remain registered together throughout the event.
  • Only one prize package will be awarded per winning team.
  • Participants are expected to act respectfully toward volunteers, businesses, fellow participants, and public property.

Solving the Mystery

  • Participants must follow clues and solve puzzles in the intended order unless otherwise directed.
  • Tampering with clues, hiding materials, misleading participants, or interfering with another participant’s progress is prohibited.
  • Use of publicly available information and observation is encouraged.
  • Participants may not seek answers from event staff unless specifically authorized as part of the game.

Safety

  • Participants must obey all local, state, and federal laws.
  • Do not enter private property unless specifically instructed by an official Hunt clue.
  • Do not enter restricted, unsafe, or closed areas.
  • Participants are responsible for their own safety and the safety of any team members.
  • State Line Heritage Days is not responsible for injuries, accidents, lost items, or personal property damage.

Winning

  • To complete The Hunt, participants must correctly solve the mystery of Eliza Hartwell and submit all required final answers.
  • Winners will be determined based on the order in which complete and correct solutions are officially received and verified.
  • Event officials have final authority in determining the correctness of submissions and prize eligibility.

Prizes

  • First Place: $500 cash, championship trophy, and First Place Winner T-Shirt voucher.
  • Second Place: $200 cash and official Hunt T-Shirt voucher.
  • Places 3–10: Official Hunt T-Shirt vouchers.
  • Prizes are non-transferable and may not be exchanged for cash unless specifically stated.

Event Authority

  • State Line Heritage Days reserves the right to modify, postpone, suspend, or cancel The Hunt if circumstances beyond its control make doing so necessary.
  • All decisions made by event officials are final.

Spoilers & Fair Play

  • Participants may not publicly post solutions, final answers, or major clue spoilers during the active event.
  • Event officials may disqualify participants who intentionally reveal answers in a manner that negatively impacts the experience of others.