PRATTVILLE, Ala. (AP) - This Prattville Rocks thing is taking over the city. It makes the Pokémon craze look tame.
It started simply enough, Caroline R. LaMothe came up with the idea to paint rocks and hide them. Whoever found the rock would snap a picture, post it to the Prattville Rocks Facebook page, then re-hide it. Some of the rocks have inspiration sayings. Some have simple decorations. Others approach being works of art.
When the Montgomery Advertiser did a story about the effort, the group had about 300 members. The total was about 3,500 and climbing. And climbing fast.
Karsyn McLean, 9, found her first rock downtown, and now she’s hooked.
“I found it in the garden over there, it was laying underneath one of those red bushes,” she said, pointing across Court Street to Heritage Park. “I thought it was really cool. Me and my mom found it, and I was really excited and I hope I find other rocks. I love Prattville.”
Karsyn came to work with her Dad, Greg. He’s boss of a crew for Central Alabama Concrete doing renovation work in the old Prattville Mercantile Building at the corner of Main and Court streets.
“I think it’s great,” he said, taking a break, watching Karsysn as she re-hid rocks in Heritage Park. “It’s a great way for the kids to get outside and enjoy themselves. It sure beats Pokémon.”
That’s just what LaMothe like to hear. She had no idea that her idea would get this kind of response.
“It is fun!” she said, pointing to knots of people walking downtown looking for rocks. “I mean I can walk downtown and see all the little kids looking for rocks. It’s just so much fun to see their picture posted and see they’re so excited about finding a rock.”
Businesses have cashed in on the craze. There are “bounty” rocks out there. Fox’s Pizza Den has rocks that will get you a free small pizza or ice cream if you return them to the downtown restaurant. Uncle Mick’s Cajun Café, also downtown, has rocks out that are good with a free drink with your order. Exit Realty has rocks that put you in for cash drawings.
Bubba’s Materials, which sells topsoil, rock and gravel, has two plastic buckets, one in front of Prattville Pasta Mill and one in front of Uncle Mick’s. The business keeps the buckets stocked with free, clean rocks so folks have an unending supply.
Most of the action has been downtown. But LaMothe says any public property in Prattville is fair game for hiding rocks.
“We ask that you don’t hide them in stores or businesses,” she said. “And be respectful when you are hiding and looking for the rocks. We don’t want anyone to damage the plants that the city has put out.
“Just be respectful and have fun! That’s what it’s all about. Fun!”
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