Plumas Lake has quietly adopted a new holiday mascot, and he is hard to miss. A giant inflatable flamingo nicknamed Frank is hopping from yard to yard as neighbors race to "steal" him, turning routine evening drives into full-on treasure hunts and giving the community a goofy new way to connect before the New Year.
Amanda Cowman launched the game after spotting a similar idea online and tossing it into the community Facebook group. "I knew as soon as I saw it that our town would be perfect for it," Cowman told CBS Sacramento. Under the rules, anyone who tracks Frank down can bring him home, as long as he stays plugged in and clearly visible out front. According to the outlet, the house hosting Frank on New Year's Day scores a prize.
How the Hunt Works
Throughout the day, players drop rapid-fire clues into the Facebook group, which sends adults and kids dashing out on quick scavenger runs across nearby streets. Yesterday morning, a hint that pointed toward Bluegrass Drive led Austin Boyes straight to the bird. "I went and grabbed it this morning," Boyes told CBS Sacramento. Neighbors say Frank rarely settles in for long and sometimes vanishes from a yard just minutes after landing there.
Neighbors Say It Is Bringing People Together
Residents say the low-effort, high-fun game has helped neighbors from different Plumas Lake subdivisions actually meet each other, with some calling it a source of "Christmas joy" and predicting the flamingo chase could easily become a yearly staple. The story has also popped up in local news roundups and podcasts, including a Sacramento recap that tracked how fast the game took off, according to The Sacramento Daily News Now.
The Frank game runs through New Year's Day. Until then, neighbors say nightly clues, costume changes, and a bit of friendly rivalry will keep Plumas Lake's streets buzzing, and many players are already betting the tradition will be back next year.
