This year’s Easter Keg Hunts were nothing short of legendary. From bunny ears to tricky clues, local brews to photo-worthy moments, Northern Colorado once again showed up and showed out for a beloved spring-time tradition!

​A Tradition that Hops OnWhat began as a birthday celebration for Big Deal CEO, Christine, 17 years ago has since evolved into a can’t-miss annual event across Fort Collins and Loveland. Fittingly, this year’s Fort Collins hunt actually landed on Christine’s actual birthday - a full-circle moment that made the day even more special. The Easter Keg Hunt blends a fun downtown scavenger hunt with an elevated bar crawl, creating a unique way to connect with local businesses and the community. It’s free for the businesses to participate (not a bad way to have increased foot traffic for a day!). This year, both cities brought the energy, creativity, and spirit that make this event so fun!
 
Fort Collins Hunt Highlights - April 12
The Fort Collins leg kicked off on our favorite downtown patio at Avogadro’s Number. Teams received their first clue here and quickly darted off to their first stop. They worked to unravel creative and tricky clues throughout the afternoon. One multi-step puzzle led teams to a notorious local statue before directing them to Hydrate IV Bar - a clever twist that kept egg seekers on their toes!
 
14 enthusiastic teams zigzagged through 13 fantastic local spots, including Brother’s Bar, Burn Candle Bar, The Emporium at The Elizabeth Hotel, and more. Stops like Sugar Salt Sand and Salt Road Brewery brought vibrant energy, while The Hot Sauce Realm brought the heat - literally! Teams ran through downtown in colorful costumes, themed outfits, and full-on fun!

After hours of clue solving, photo snapping, and bar hopping, the final destination was revealed: Pour Brothers. The cheers, clinks, and storytelling that followed cemented this year’s Fort Collins hunt as one for the books!

FORT COLLINS STATS:
Photos by Dick Knapp Photography
Kick-Off Location: Avogadro’s Number
Stops:
Brother’s Bar
The Hot Sauce Realm
Burn Candle Bar
The Emporium at The Elizabeth Hotel
Paul Wood Florist
Vella Terra (in Old Town Square)
Trailhead Tavern
Hydrate IV Bar
Salt Road Brewing
Sugar Salt Sand
The Corner Slice
Ending Location: Pour Bros
Winning Team: Yellow Team

​Loveland Hunt Highlights - April 19
Loveland’s weather threw in a surprise twist with a blanket of snow the day before kick-off. But by Saturday, the clouds parted and the sun shone bright - just in time for nine excited teams to take it to the streets!
 
Starting at Backyard Tap, this year’s route wound through 14 downtown businesses, including B Sweet Cupcakes, SliceNRoll Pizza, The Flipside, and Wicked Tequila Room. From bar lounges to floral shops and interactive games at the Vella Terra stop, every location added its own flavor to the experience

The hunt wrapped up at 477 Distillery, where teams cheered each other and the craft cocktails flowed! Loveland delivered a perfectly blended mix of community and high-spirited fun, outshining the snowy start!
 
LOVELAND STATS:
Photos by Jen West Photography
Starting Location: The Backyard Tap
Stops:
Loveland Aleworks
B Sweet Cupcakes
Jack Jacks
Scripted
The Flipside
SliceNRoll
Wicked Tequila Room
Mead Kreiger
120 Bar
Vella Terra (near the Loveland Museum)
Tee Shots
Wild Posies
Ending Spot: 477 Distillery
Winning Team: Yellow

​17 Years of Hoppy Memories
The Easter Keg Hunt has officially become a Big Deal in Northern Colorado. What started as a playful birthday idea has grown into a beloved tradition that connects people, celebrates local businesses, and encourages a little friendly competition (and a lot of laughs!). With new clues, new businesses, and new memories each year, this event continues to be a favorite! (Flashback photo below from 2016)

​Thank You & See You Next Year!A huge shoutout to every team that participated, every business that hosted, and every individual who helped make this year’s Easter Keg Hunt unforgettable! Whether it was your first time or your fifteenth, we’re already counting down the days to next year’s event.
 
FAQs
WHAT IS THE EASTER KEG HUNT?
A clue-based scavenger hunt through local businesses, combining puzzles, bar hopping, and fun!
 
HOW CAN I PARTICIPATE NEXT YEAR?
Follow the Easter Keg Hunt on social media and sign up for the Big Deal Newsletter for announcements and event dates.
 
ARE COSTUMES ENCOURAGED?
Absolutely! The more festive, the better! Bunny ears, team themes, and wild outfits are all part of the fun.
 
HOW CAN BUSINESSES GET INVOLVED?
Local businesses interested in participating can reach out to get on the route. We typically send out “feelers” in January via email, direct mail, and phone calls - ANSWER THE CALL to be on next year’s route! We guarantee increased foot traffic to your location during this event, and many players come back after the event.

17th Annual Easter Keg Hunt (2025)
Special thanks Dick Knapp Photography!
1st Place: Yellow Team
2nd Place: Pastel Purple Team
​3rd Place: White Team

Thank you to our participating 2025 businesses:  Avogadros, Brothers Bar, The Hot Sauce Realm, Burn Candle Bar, The Emporium, Paul Wood Florist,VellaTerra, Trailhead Tavern, Hydrate IV Bar, Salt Road Brewing, Sugar Salt Sand,
​The Corner Slice, Pour Brothers

​Fort Collins, CO  April 12, 2025

Thank you to our friends at KDVR for celebrating the JOY the Easter Keg Hunt brings to adults, our community and small businesses in Colorado!
*supporting Animal Friends Alliance

During times of economic uncertainty, our first instinct is to look for ways to cut costs to keep our businesses afloat. While this might seem like a logical step to conserve resources, reducing marketing efforts during a downturn can actually do more harm than good.
 
In reality, continuing to invest in marketing during tough times can provide businesses with a competitive advantage, build brand loyalty, and position them for long-term success – just ask Procter & Gamble, who notoriously doubled down on marketing efforts when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and saw revenues surge compared with their competitors.’
 
Here’s why investing in marketing during times of uncertainty is more important than ever:

​Maintain visibility while competitors disappear
When businesses cut back on marketing, they also reduce their visibility to potential customers. If your competitors scale back their marketing efforts but you remain active, your brand becomes more prominent. Procter & Gamble benefitted precisely because other Fortune 500 companies went dark when the pandemic caused massive market uncertainty.
Customers who continue to search for products and services will see your company first, helping you gain market share that might have otherwise gone to your competition.

Build brand trust and loyalty
During economic downturns, consumers are more selective about where they spend their money. Businesses that continue to communicate with their audience, provide value, and demonstrate stability will build trust.
When people see that your company is still present and engaging with customers despite economic hardships, they are more likely to view you as a reliable and trustworthy choice – worthy of spending their hard-earned dollars.

Take advantage of lower advertising costs
Marketing channels, including digital advertising, social media promotions, and traditional media, often see lower costs during economic downturns. With fewer companies competing for ad space, businesses that continue advertising can benefit from reduced costs per click, impression, or placement. This means you can achieve better reach and engagement while spending less than you would in a strong economy.

Position your business for recovery
Economic downturns don’t last forever. When the economy rebounds, businesses that maintained their marketing efforts will be in a much stronger position than those that went dark. An unnamed client recently saw calls from new customers decline by 82% within 5 months of cutting marketing services due to uncertainty.

Keeping your brand at the forefront of consumers’ minds ensures that when they are ready to spend again, they will think of you first.

Strengthen customer relationships
Marketing isn’t just about selling – it’s about building relationships. During uncertain times, customers appreciate brands that provide valuable information, offer solutions, and show empathy. Content marketing, email campaigns, and social media engagement allow businesses to stay connected with their audience in a meaningful way, fostering long-term loyalty.
​

Adapt and innovate for changing consumer needs
Economic shifts often bring changes in consumer behavior. Companies that continue investing in marketing can track trends, gather data, and adjust their strategies accordingly. Whether it’s shifting to more digital channels, offering promotions, or refining messaging, staying active allows businesses to adapt to customer needs in real time.
 
During recessions, successful marketing can lead to increased market share, as seen with Starbucks, McDonald's, and Hyundai, who adapted their strategies to capitalize on consumer behavior shifts and maintain or grow their market position. 
Here's a breakdown of how these brands, successfully navigated recessions through smart marketing:

1. Starbucks:

• Context:

During the 2008 financial crisis, Starbucks faced a 28% drop in profits, but they pivoted to focus on building personalized customer relationships and embracing newer technologies like mobile apps. 

• Strategy:

They continued to open new locations, especially abroad (like in China), at a rapid pace, demonstrating a commitment to growth even during tough times. 

• Outcome:

Starbucks became the largest coffee retailer with a 40% market share by 2019. 

2. McDonald's:

• Context:

During the 2008 recession, McDonald's not only managed to stay afloat but also grabbed significant market share from competitors like Burger King and Yum Brands. 

• Strategy:

They implemented a value-focused menu (like the Dollar Menu) and a shrewd marketing strategy that involved taking advantage of cheaper TV ad rates. 

• Outcome:

McDonald's grew in 2008, with sales exceeding both 2006 and 2007, before the financial impact was felt worldwide. 

3. Hyundai:

• Context:

In 2009, the auto industry was struggling, and Hyundai USA strengthened its marketing efforts.

• Strategy:

They invested in Super Bowl and Academy Awards commercial slots and a customer-focused ad campaign.

• Outcome:

Hyundai's market share increased from 3.1% to 4.3%, while competitors experienced a 22% sales drop, and Hyundai increased vehicle sales by 5%. 

While cutting marketing costs may seem like a quick fix to protect your bottom line, it can have long-term consequences. Investing in marketing during economic uncertainty not only helps sustain your business in the present but also prepares you for future growth. The businesses that remain visible, build trust, and adapt to changing circumstances are the ones that emerge stronger when the economy bounces back.

At BIG DEAL Company, we specialize in creating impactful marketing strategies that help businesses thrive – even in challenging times. If you’re looking to maintain momentum and stay ahead of the competition, contact us today to learn how we can support your brand’s growth.

A time honored tradition --- a scavenger hunt that cannot be replicated --- making memories and bringing adults JOY! The NoCo Easter Keg Hunt.

Q: I see starting points, but where do we end?
A: The end will be within walking distance to the starting point. Park anywhere you want in the downtown area.

Q: Is this event for adults only?
A: Yes. Some of the stops will be at bars and restaurants. The clues are written for adults. Should you need to participate with a baby carrier/stroller, that is fine by us. Our attendee ages are typically 20s - 60s!

Q: What makes this event unique?
A: This event is created from scratch every year, by a large team of event experts. This is not some lame app with canned, recycled questions. All of the questions are unique and most require some sort of physical application to solve. The event encorporates participation from local businesses that welcome the foot traffic and fun!

Q: Is this really just a bar crawl?
A: Absolutely NOT. While guests can drink, and there is movement all around a downtown area, there is far more importance placed on teamwork, problem solving, laughter, competition, community awareness and FUN!

Q: Is the event ADA accessible?
A: Yes. All businesses are ADA accessible. All abilities can participate. Should you need any special accommodations, please email BIG DEAL.

Q: What if the weather doesn't look great?
A: This event takes place rain/snow/shine. You will be indoors and outside in between stops. You can decide how long you stay inside of each business.

​Q: How long is the event?
A: Kick off is at 1pm. We average about 13 stops per event. We have had teams complete in about 2 hours - but these teams run. If you are casually solving clues and walking, you can plan for about 3 hours. If you guess the wrong stops - this can throw you off. If you don't complete all clues, that's ok --- you can still join us at the end! The event is over by 5pm.

16th Annual NoCo Easter Keg Hunt
Tickets: https://www.bigdealcompany.com/noco-easter-keg-hunt.html

Fort Collins 2024
Hunt Date: 3/30/24
Time: Kick-off is at 1:00pm 
​Location: Avogadro's Number
605 S Mason St, Fort Collins, CO 8052

Loveland 2024
Hunt Date: 4/6/24
Time: Kick-off is at 1:00pm 
Location: Loveland Aleworks
118 W. 4th St. Loveland, CO 80537