LISLE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rio de Janeiro will host metal detectorists from across Central and South America May 18th as part of National Metal Detecting Day on the beach at Rio Othon Palace Hotel, Hotel Rio Othon Palacemore, Avenida Atlântica, 3264 – Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 22070-000, Brazil. The sole South American location, Rio de Janeiro is hosting the event with Atlantic City, N.J., and Santa Barbara, Calif., in the United States; and Toronto, Canada. National Metal Detecting Day is sponsored by Minelab Americas and local detecting organizations, and brings the hobby’s enthusiasts together in the world’s largest simultaneous gathering of detectorists.
Last year’s events drew 1,700 participants for the event, and organizers expect more participants this year. “This is the world’s biggest treasure hunt,” explained Gary Schafer, Minelab America’s President & General Manager. “Remember how you dreamed of finding buried treasure as a child? Now you get to do it for real, and meet others who share that same childhood dream.”
The all-day event features events for all skill levels, from experienced detectorists to beginners and children. Group hunts will be conducted in separate rounds in specific areas that have been seeded with hidden tokens and keys, one of which will open a treasure chest and a special prize.
There are multiple ways to win at each location, including both an adult and a kid’s raffle and for Minelab Metal Detectors and lots of other great prizes. In addition to the hunts, detectorists have the opportunity to meet Minelab staffers and participate in workshops to learn the latest techniques and developments in metal detecting.
Unexpected prizes can also be discovered. According to Phil W., also known as “Gatekeeper” on www.findmall.com, a participant at last’s year’s hunt at Indiana Dunes, just outside of Chicago, Ill., USA, found a diamond ring in the search area that wasn’t officially part of the hunt. “That’s the big attraction of metal detecting. You never know what you’ll find.”
Salvation Army local chapters in the two US locations will receive a portion of the proceeds from the day’s events.
About Minelab
Minelab—a world-wide manufacturer of handheld metal detector products—is headquartered in Adelaide, Australia. Since its founding in 1985, Minelab has been a world leader, providing the best metal detectors for consumer, humanitarian demining and military needs. Minelab is an ISO 9001 Quality Endorsed Company.
Minelab Americas, based in Lisle, Ill., USA, provides sales, support and service for countries throughout North, South and Central America. Minelab’s parent company, the Newton, South Australia-based Codan Limited, is an international leader in high frequency radio and advanced communications markets with customers in more than 150 countries.