The Howdy Challenge is back for a second year in a row and is looking to be a new, annual back-to-school tradition in the Bryan/College Station area.
Put on by Destination Bryan, the event resembles a “B/CS experience scavenger hunt,” with a list of local restaurants, entertainment and events to attend to learn more about the area. Participants have two months to check in at 12 of the 19 spots across Aggieland included in the challenge, ranging from Lake Bryan to Big Shots Golf. In proper Aggie fashion, anyone who completes the challenge will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win one of 12 $500 gift cards.
Destination Bryan’s PR and Communications Coordinator Lina Adams explains that the idea for the challenge was conceived after their success with the 2021 Taco Trail, a challenge that features 44 of Bryan’s best local taco stops. Looking for a way to welcome students to the area, Destination Bryan combined this goal with the design of the Taco Trail, and thus The Howdy Challenge was born.
“We thought that The Howdy Challenge would be a great way to introduce college students, especially the freshmen who are new to the community and maybe don't know anything about where places are, where they should be going, things that they can do,” Lina says.
This year’s Howdy Challenge check-in markers include food stops such as Ronin Farm & Restaurant, Polite Coffee Roasters and The Remnant of Nawlins, entertainment like Aggieland Wild Animal Safari, Big Shots Golf, Brazos Valley African American Museum and The Queen Theatre, and events such as First Friday, Hullabaloo Music Fest and The Local. Others included are the Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History, Boonville Heritage Park, Lake Bryan, The BEE Community, Farm Patch, the Brazos Valley Farmer’s Market, Lookout Tower at Lake Walk, West 31st Street Murals and Zeitman’s Grocery Store.
“Everything’s done through geofencing,” Lina explains. “So, when you go to the different locations you just have to check in on your phone!”
Although it’s only the second year, Lina says the involvement has already expanded exponentially, surpassing the total number of last year’s participants at only the half-way point.
“People definitely enjoy it,” Lina says. “They like having kind of a checklist of things that they can go do throughout the early fall before the holidays pick up. It just gives people an idea of ‘what can I do this weekend?’ So, people really like it. We have had great positive feedback.”
The selection of the checkpoints varies each year and correlates with Destination Bryan’s yearly awarded Bryan Legends. The Bryan Legends are different businesses in the area that are highlighted by Destination Bryan because of their rich history and unique story.
“It’s our way of connecting the community,” Lina says. “I'm from Bryan, I was born and raised here, and there were some places on the list that I hadn't even been to. I think it's just a great opportunity for people to really get reacquainted with the city if they're from here, or acquainted with the city if they're not. It’s just a great starting place for a lot of people, which I think is awesome.”
To sign up or get more information about The Howdy Challenge, visit destinationbryan.com/howdy. The challenge will be active through Oct. 15.
