Exciting Times in Prosperity: The First Newberry Jigsaw Puzzle Competition
Prosperity, SC – On a charming Friday evening, January 26, the quaint town of Prosperity was filled with laughter, friendly competition, and an impressive display of teamwork during the inaugural Newberry Jigsaw Puzzle Competition. Thirteen enthusiastic teams gathered at the Prosperity Civic Center, each competing for the title of Puzzle Master along with a cash prize. The evening played out like a colorful puzzle, fitting perfectly together as a memorable community event.
A Fun Twist on Community Engagement
Jessie Long, the director of Newberry County Parks and Recreation, expressed her excitement for the competition. “This was an opportunity for us to offer our community something a little different,” she said, highlighting the enormous support from local sponsors and community members alike. The collaboration between the Newberry County Parks and Recreation department, the Town of Prosperity, and the City of Newberry Parks Recreation and Tourism made the event a wonderful success.
“The Town of Prosperity is a proud sponsor of the inaugural puzzle contest,” said Karen Livingston, administrator for the Town of Prosperity. “I enjoyed the creativity of the teams and had so much fun. We look forward to next year’s event!”
Puzzle Pieces and Team Spirit
Thirteen teams, each with four members, took on the challenge using the same Ravensburger Puzzle titled “Manatee Moments.” The teams sported wildly creative and unique shirts, adding an exciting visual element to the event. Out of the participating teams were favorites that included Get it Together People, Jigsaw Junkies, and intriguingly named entries like “We couldn’t come up with a name for our puzzle team so this is the name of our puzzle team”, among others.
After a nail-biting competition, it turned out that team Planet Fit This took the crown, completing the puzzle in just 54 minutes. Each member was awarded a plaque, and they took home a cash prize totaling $200. Team World Piece came in second, also earning a $100 cash prize, while The Jackson Five secured the third position with a $50 award.
Shirt Shenanigans
In addition to the jigsaw puzzling, teams were also judged on their team shirts, leading to even more fun. Three categories were set for the shirts: Most Original, Funniest, and Most Puzzling. Team World Piece clinched the Most Original category with their colorful and creatively made shirts. Meanwhile, Na-Na, Na, Na, Na-Na won the Funniest with outfits designed for pure giggles, and “We couldn’t come up with a name for our puzzle team so this is the name of our puzzle team” won the Most Puzzling title with a clever take that left the judges pondering.
Looking Ahead
The event was filled with positive energy and camaraderie, and everyone involved expressed enthusiasm for future competitions. “The teams were very enthusiastic and competitive,” said Program Manager Johnnie Caldwell. “It was a great social event too, with the teams interacting with one another before and after.”
As Jessie Long mentioned, “This event was so well received, and we are looking forward to more puzzle competitions in the near future with added divisions and more amazing prizes.” She emphasized the vibrant spirit that every team brought and how the event sparked connections among community members.
So if you missed out this year, mark your calendars for the next Newberry Jigsaw Puzzle Competition! It’s a fantastic way to bond with friends and neighbors while enjoying a good puzzle challenge.
