LONG LAKE — The community of Long Lake recently participated in an effort to spread joy during the New York Stay At Home Orders during the coronavirus mandatory lock-down. Resident and volunteer parents worked with area businesses, Long Lake Central School, and community partners to spearhead the effort to decorate the community with rainbows starting in March.

The Facebook group “The 518 Rainbow Hunt” has over 115,000 members throughout the Capital District and beyond reaching into the North Country. The group was founded in March 2020 shortly after the NYS Pause orders took effect. As children had to hunker down at home and start the new and unfamiliar process of homeschooling, parents were seeking a way to find activities to keep their kids busy with something fun and hopeful.

Families in the 518 area code and beyond placed handmade rainbows in their windows, doors and driveways. The goal was to create a rainbow scavenger hunt for kids who are cooped up inside for most of the day. Participants snapped photos and posted on social media with the hashtag #518rainbowhunt.

Area businesses that participated include The Cellar Restaurant and Pub, Long Lake Central School, The Town of Long Lake, Hoss’s Country Corner, The Park and the Adirondack Hotel.