January 20, 2014 · Derek

Monkeyshines 2014 - The Year of the Horse

With Chinese New Year fast approaching, the twitchiness and paranoia that is Monkeyshines begin to fill the air. We search trees and parks. We open every newspaper box and look in every potted plant. We discover every single tossed tallboy in every bush. We walk through the city at night hoping to catch a glimpse of our first glass ball of the year. Are you ready for for the Year of the Horse?

Ms. Monkey and her team, cloaked in anonymity, have created and carefully hidden hundreds of handblown glass balls every Chinese New Year since the Year of the Monkey eleven years ago. The balls and medallions are each stamped with a symbol for the new year's animal. They appear in neighborhoods throughout the city. Beautiful Angle posters usually go up that night as well. The even more mysterious Marbleman has been thrilling hunters with his handmade glass marbles the last couple of years. The art is intended to be discovered. It is intended to surprise and be a gift.

The thrill of the hunt has created an extraordinarily devoted and loyal group of followers. The moment a ball or medallion is found, the social interwebs light up with the news. Streets throughout the Tacoma then fill with people looking for their own prized piece of art.

Chinese New Year is Friday, January 31. Will it happen that night? Maybe some other night? We're beginning to get emails from readers asking if it always happens on Chinese New Year. I sit back when asked this question and reflect on the debacle that was Monkeyshines 2010 when the glass balls went out several days early and shocked absolutely everyone. We didn't find one that year. Monkeyshines doesn’t have a webpage. There isn't an official Twitter account to give you a countdown. So, we wait and listen. As we've been reminded year after year, there's really only one rule to Monkeyshines: TAKE ONLY ONE.

For us, it’s about wonder and a child-like search for treasure. It's about magic. We don't ask questions. We enjoy the moment. Good luck to all our Monkeyshine hunting friends!

As always, post your stories in the comments. Send your photos to us at tips (at) Exit133.com after you've commented and we'll add them to the story. Thank you.

Previously on Exit133:

Monkeyshines 2013 - Year of the Snake

Monkeyshines 2012 - The Year of the Dragon

Monkeyshines 2011 - The Year of the Rabbit

Monkeyshines 2010 is Now!

Monkeyshines Returns for 2009 - Year of the Ox

Filed under: Arts, Tacoma, Monkeyshines

103 comments

Mama & Cubs January 20, 2014

Woohoo!! We've already got it on our calendar (and luckily the cubs have the day off from school), can't wait. We've been very lucky the last two years, hoping for some luck this year too. Good luck to all!
to/fro January 20, 2014

I am beyond stoked, but I am a bit bummed out that I have to wake up extra early before work. Then again, the prospect of getting some glass makes it worth it!
JJ January 20, 2014

Monkeyshines and a Seahawks Super Bowl all in one weekend! Hoping to find a glass float this year to go with my Dragon float and Snake medallion.
Monique January 20, 2014

Can't wait!! I requested the 31st off so I can get up extra early and head out with some friends! Last year was my first time and I had so much fun running around the streets of Tacoma. Such an awesome thing these people do. Good luck out there!!
Bonnie January 21, 2014

My husband and I are super stoked!! We wanted to do this every year, We ended up moving to the east coast... SO we will be making a commute for that weekend from New Jersey =) can't wait!! Thanks again for what you guys do Mr. And Mrs. Monkey!!
Shannon January 23, 2014

My friend told me about this today and I am too excited to be joining her and her sister on the search. But really how fun would it be to hide them and watch people search!!
Anita & the boys January 23, 2014

Already requested Friday off. Every year this is a family event. No work. No school. Only treasure hunting and going out for lunch.This is my birth year. I must have one! Let the hunt begin!!
- Julie January 26, 2014
  
  To Terry❤️!
cubstim January 25, 2014

After the Tacoma Runners 5k this morning, I stopped by the Chinese Reconciliation Park. Sitting in a shell by the water was a beautiful marble - maybe an early Marble Man sighting? Happy Year of the Horse to all.
Marbleman January 26, 2014

could be....
- GlassLover January 26, 2014
  
  Patiently waiting saw a few awesome marbles!!! Thanks MarbleMan
- Mama&Cubs; January 26, 2014
  
  Looks like we might have a reason to get out if the house for a bit. Thanks Marble Man!!!
Marie & boys January 26, 2014

Boys have drawn up their game plan. All they want to do is feast their eyes on a treasure! They have the Monkeyshines fever! Thanks Tacoma, thanks in advance to all those that give us some fabulous memories as we explore this great city!
chyba January 26, 2014

We are looking forward to The Year of the Horse!!! Thank you Monkeyshines.
Marie & boys January 26, 2014

WE FOUND MARBLES!! Happy, happy, joy, joy! Thank you Marbleman!!:D
T-TownFreckles January 26, 2014

Walkin the dog and found some marbles! Thanks Marble Man, gettin' pumped up!
Lola January 26, 2014

Adopted my daughter from China 7 yrs ago and she and I have a tradition of looking for Monkeyshines magic glass together each new year. Last yr we finally found something...a beautiful clear snake medallion. This year could be our year to find one of the gorgeous balls...fingers crossed!
Kat January 26, 2014

It's my first year living in Tacoma proper and I'm excited for the chance to go hunting! Last year I found a wonderful marble (now a necklace!) and I hope to find a medallion or orb this year!
Laura January 27, 2014

My boyfriend and I each found a beautiflul marble today. Thanks Marbleman!
Dwendlandt January 27, 2014

I'm getting so excited for the hunt. We have been lucky last we found a medalion and the year before a orb. It's such a cool thing, my kids are even going to get up early early with me before they go to school just to look!
auntspiker January 27, 2014

Can't wait. My sone and I didn't find one last year, and I fell in a pond looking.
Peter Peter January 27, 2014

Where have people been finding the marbles?
The_253 January 27, 2014

Found 3 beautiful marbles today! Super pumped!!
david January 28, 2014

Anyone see any yet?
Anxious January 28, 2014

I really need one of these. I've been hearing about them, and I have to have one.
JJ January 29, 2014

I saw a lot of marbles in the Proctor District yesterday afternoon (over 20). Good luck hunting.
Lyn January 29, 2014

We are so antsy we are going marble hunting just to satisfy our need to search.
Noah January 29, 2014

There is no official start date or time. It's completely random. The organizers want "discovery" to be unexpected and serendipitous.
Shay January 29, 2014

I hope you find one.
Preschool teacher January 29, 2014

I've been talking with my preschoolers about this superfun super cool event, and the families are wanting to go looking too. So we are going to meet and look Friday in hopes that we might find something. I will also bring a nature scavenger hunt just in case, and that way we can find something! I love monkeyshines it's the best time of year in Tacoma!
Ttown Deb January 29, 2014

I have been searching daily for any news or rumors of Monkeyshines. I haven't found one yet, but this is my year, born Year of the Horse. Maybe we will go looking for marbles now.
wadefish January 29, 2014

Found a marble on University of Puget Sound campus today. Is this the work of the Marbleman?
- JJ January 30, 2014
  
  It looks like one.
Lyn January 30, 2014

A marble or a monkeyshine??
TK421 January 30, 2014

Reveal your secrets!
- Hmmm January 30, 2014
  
  The address listed offers a clue, but not sure what the commenter was trying to say...
david January 30, 2014

are they out there
Marie & boys January 30, 2014

I think not. I went out looking without boys, nothing.
- Mama & Cubs January 30, 2014
  
  Thanks Marie! We're in Lakewood now and I've been fretting since I saw that post. I figured since there had been no one else it might not be yet.
wadefish January 30, 2014

Another marble from the Puget Sound campus...
- Mama&Cubs; January 30, 2014
  
  Oooh! That one's pretty!!! I'm off to the Proctor area for work, hoping maybe there are one or two out there still.
Teachermom January 30, 2014

After many years of successful searching, this teacher's activities are liimited this year due to an injury. So sad! Have fun everyone! Looking forward to postings and pictures. And join the movement to pick up litter as you're out and about.
Shining Trio January 30, 2014

Out walking this morning found small green and blue glass stones with the number 12! Seen quite a few of them.
Miss Cathy January 30, 2014

This will be my fourth year looking, I have found nothing in years' past. I hope to find one this year! But even if I don't I just love the sense of community I feel with others out in the cold morning, searching for treasures. I kind of wish it was still a secret, too much competition now!
DrK January 30, 2014

found a wonder shell, with the year of the horse 2014 written on it and a blue and green #12 glass token too, and yes a marble! This is wonderfu,l thanks to all! I maynot find a monkeyshine, but i have found treasures!
- todd January 30, 2014
  
  What area are people finding the 12th man tokens at?
  - Shining Trio January 30, 2014
    
    I seen them in the Proctor District this morning!
Jeff January 30, 2014

I am really looking forward to the hunt this year! We just moved to Olympia and are willing to make the trip. Being totally unfamiliar with Tacoma, where on earth should I being to look?! I've seen several places mentioned in previous years. Are these good places to start? What are some helps you can give a newbie?
The Slusar's January 30, 2014

This is such a great experience my wife and I found out about this my last year at fort Lewis unfortunately so we were able to hunt last year but moved to the east coast this year however that is stopping us as we are in the air and on our way to Seattle right this minute and cannot wait to begin the hunt!
fred davie January 30, 2014

When I look at this thread on my desktop computer all the images and drawings show up fine. But when I look at it on an IPAD the pictures are all stretched out. They are stretched out so far you can't really even scroll past them. Why do these images distort on an IPAD? Anybody?
- Derek staff January 30, 2014
  
  Curious. We'll look into this one. Images in comments may not be as responsive to difference devices as article images.
- KrisKD January 30, 2014
  
  Same issue on the iPhone... But works on mt iPad Mini.
- Laura January 30, 2014
  
  Looking ok on both my iPad (2?) on Chrome and Safari, and also on iPhone 5 Chrome.
Serenity H January 30, 2014

Found a beautiful marble at Chinese Reconcilliation park this evening with the kids. It made our day. Thanks Marbleman!
J January 30, 2014

I hope everyone remembers to "only take one". Sad to see people taking multiple marbles. Let others enjoy the experience too.
- Marie & boys January 30, 2014
  
  Sorry. It was an exciting experience for boys. Hadn't really thought about "just one" marble, just monkeyshines. Best to you in the hunt.
JJ January 30, 2014

After the first marble, I took pictures of the next 20+ I found with my phone. My photo safari turned out some pretty cool pictures. A great way to enjoy the hunt, keep the memories and leave others to enjoy their own discoveries.
todd January 30, 2014

Just found a marble and. 12th man medallion at reconciliation part. What a great night, got a Beautiful Angle poster too!
Xeno January 30, 2014

Pretty much ran into everyone who got a Beautiful Angle poster at Chinese Reconciliation Park. Got a nice marble for my efforts.
Team Franzy January 30, 2014

Let's have fun hunting and keep Tacoma beautiful at the same time! This year we've remembered to bring trash bags to clean up litter as we go.
Kanela January 30, 2014

Super excited to hunt! :) This will be our 3rd year trying and hopefully our first time finding something. Fingers crossed! Luckily for me, I have recruited my little brother and mom...the more eyes, the better! I hope 5 am isnt too early to start. :))
Superdawg January 31, 2014

Does anyone remember what the rat one looked like? Because I think I found one tonight and its hard to make out.
- Noah January 31, 2014
  
  You could have found an old one from previous years. Are sure it is not a horse? Or, someone could have put back a rat while looking for a horse this year.
- Seeking January 31, 2014
  
  http://www.kevinfreitas.net/blog/photos-monkeyshines-ride-along/ Its hard to get a good look though.
  - Superdawg January 31, 2014
    
    Mine looks like a medallion...not so much a ball
    - Seeking January 31, 2014
      
      The stamp will look the same for both.
      - Shynz January 31, 2014
        
        The horse looks nothing like the rat. You will not be confused. You may have found a snake from last year. Many of them were hard to make out.
        
        Seeking January 31, 2014
        
        Thanks for clarifying. I was meaning that the medallion and the ball will have the same markings. I don't know if that was confusing, I'm a little sleep-deprived ;)
Superdawg January 31, 2014

Thanks for the info! Figured out its a rat :) Does anyone know about the Hoppin Bunnies? Just found one :)
- Seeker January 31, 2014
  
  Just read about them. Are they all within that one location or are they spread around the city?
Rachel January 31, 2014

What's that?
Andrew January 31, 2014

Love my ceramic bunny! Playboy trampstamp and all! Thank you Christopher Hoppin!
The slusars January 31, 2014

Thanks for the 12th man glass stone!!! =D
chrees January 31, 2014

Anyone out yet? Curious if the treasures are scattered yet!?! Good luck guys :)
The slusars January 31, 2014

We've been out for hour and ran into a few nice folks but all we've found are a few 12th man glasses
DC January 31, 2014

We've been out for about a half hour....ran into lots of folks but seemingly everyone is empty handed thus far!
Sir Issac Newton January 31, 2014

Comin to ya live, lots of people out, nothing found yet..... Is something up? Are they not out yet? The search goes on.....
nw January 31, 2014

Maybe they are going to wait till Sunday to put them out
Namer he slusars January 31, 2014

I hope they don't wait till Sunday, we flew out here from New Jersey JUST for this...
Chrees January 31, 2014

Slusars, you guys are dedicated! I wish you much luck. I have a sneaking suspicion something is up, the last few years it's been predictably around 4 or 5, this time last year the page was loaded with finds by now! Maybe Ms Monkey is taking a cue from 2010 and throwing us a curve ball!
SVT January 31, 2014

Same here. Scouring downtown, running into flashlights everywhere - no word of any monkeyshine
- Mama4 January 31, 2014
  
  Nothing in the North End either:-(
The slusars January 31, 2014

We'll I am pretty good at softball so if this is a curve ball let's hope it's before we leave because we could only get a few days off from work and school and it's pretty expensive to fly across country... This was a tradition we wanted to continue doing even after moving.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer January 31, 2014

I have a sneaking suspicion they're not out yet. Have been to Proctor, Old Town, Chinese Park, UWT, and Tollefson. Nothing. I have seen plenty of people but no one has found anything. #somethingisup #2014 #monkeyshines #wherearethey #maybesomeoneforgottomakethem
The Hunter January 31, 2014

Hopeing for a great day!! Good luck everybody!
Mama & Cubs January 31, 2014

If I remember correctly the first one was announced found around 5:30-6 last year. We're on our way to join you now. Good luck everyone!!
Amanda January 31, 2014

Lots of shines on the streets! This yr it's bring your own and the masses showed up with flashlights! That's one way to get people downtown. Ha! The hunt continues.
Lola January 31, 2014

Up early cause the kiddos want to go out and look before school...but from the previous comments it sounds like maybe it is too early. I love the fact that it you just never know when and I think it is great that they keep us all in suspense! More mystery and way more fun that way - yahoo, happy new year all!
Mama4 January 31, 2014

Hopefully we all just started too early and they are coming soon....
Doug January 31, 2014

found one at Mary Bridge! they are out!
- Mama & Cubs January 31, 2014
  
  Way to go!!! Congrats!
- Chrees January 31, 2014
  
  Well here we go I guess! Congrats!
  - Monique January 31, 2014
    
    We were out there about a half hour ago. We've been all over the city.. They must have just put them out. Is it a horse one? Not an old one?! Haha. Congrats!
- J January 31, 2014
  
  Is an orb? Is a horse?
Nail lady January 31, 2014

This is my first time so I hope I find one! This my first year getting to know Tacoma. Pretty fun seeing all the people out searching.
Just Sayin'... January 31, 2014

It's the year of the horse, and the Hawks are playing the *Broncos* on Sunday. Could be that the horses will not be turned loose until *after* the game.
Lyn January 31, 2014

Success in the International District. My son is so happy. My daughter just woke up and wants to go search! As beautiful as the colourful balls are, my 7 year old couldn't have been happier with his clear and white orb. In his words, "It reminds me of snow, which is great because we didn't get much this year."
Boo! January 31, 2014

We were out for two hours and didn't find anything! Hopefully we just started looking a day too early. Fingers crossed and we'll be trying again
- Lyn January 31, 2014
  
  The timing is much better right now :)
Chyba January 31, 2014

UPS Security takes their job very seriously and has not heard of Monkeyshines. Be careful.
- Becca January 31, 2014
  
  So does the new guy at the Tacoma Dome
Miss Maddie January 31, 2014

We just found one at the Lowell statue!!!!! It was purpley red
Derek staff January 31, 2014

Hey everyone, we're shifting comments over to the new story that just went online. Post your stories. Email us your photos and we'll include them. /articles/view/monkeyshines-2014-year-of-the-horse-the-hunt-is-on