MURRELLS INLET — Brookgreen Gardens is known for its artistic and natural beauty. But on Feb. 5, visitors will be seeking a different kind of treasure — a “Survivor 50 Challenge” immunity idol.
The CBS hit reality show launches its 50th season on Feb. 25 and is celebrating by giving fans an opportunity to get in on the action. An immunity idol like the ones contestants compete to find on the show is being hidden in each of the 50 states, with the lucky scavenger hunter earning a chance to attend the live final episode in Los Angeles.
“I’m not supposed to confirm or deny, but the secret is out,” said Brookgreen Gardens Marketing Director Lauren Joseph, adding that the scavenger hunt will not be frantic like on the show. “It’s going to be a very controlled environment, nothing chaotic. There’s nothing to climb or dig. It will all be apparent when they get here.”
Joseph said participants, who are required to register online to take part in the event, will be admitted free by identifying themselves at the gates, which open at 9:30 a.m. for the 10 a.m. start.
“It’s not a race. There’s no need to get here early, and there is plenty of parking,” said Joseph, who invites attendees to spend the day enjoying the garden. “There was the clue dropped about it being at Brookgreen, and there will be another clue when they get here.”
The first clue was revealed Feb. 3 with a cryptic riddle for fans to solve. It didn’t take long for online sleuths to recognize the location as the massive sculpture garden famous for its ancient live oak trees and works of art amid the Lowcountry flora and fauna.
“Where Art and Nature Share the Land, By Ocean’s Breath and Sculptor’s Hand,” the South Carolina clue reads. “A Garden Grand, Where Live Oaks Grow, Step Inside and Let Wonder Flow.”
Longtime “Survivor” fan and Brookgreen Gardens member Marianne Revie of Myrtle Beach has never applied to be on the show, joking that she likely would be “medevaced out” from the bug bites and stings before the game started. But she can handle a few hours at Brookgreen.
“My boss thinks I am a lunatic but did allow me the time off to go,” she said. “I am going because I want to experience this. Out of the entire state of South Carolina, what are the odds something this big would be in a location 15 minutes from my doorstep? Being a lifelong fan, how could I not go?”
Other states have already had winners, including Florida, which attracted 1,200 participants.
Joseph said she is expecting between 300 to 400 scavenger hunters but will have additional staff and security on hand to help hunters navigate the 9,000-acre property, as well as event coordinators with Tool of North America that is conducting the contest for CBS.
“Survivor” debuted in 2000 and is credited with altering the landscape of mainstream television, which has relied heavily on reality programming over the past quarter century.
The Grand Strand had a local winner in 2019 when Chris Underwood of Surfside Beach won Season 38, becoming the first Latin American male player to take the title of Sole Survivor and the $1 million grand prize.
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