WEAR and West Florida Healthcare DeLuna Treasure Hunt

April 20 - May 8, 2009

The WEAR and West Florida Healthcare DeLuna Treasure Hunt, part of the 60th Fiesta of Five Flags celebration, took place April 20 - May 8.

History tells us that after being ravaged by a hurricane, Don Tristan DeLuna departed Pensacola, but only after leaving behind many treasures, now hidden for hundreds of years. Each year, the Fiesta of Five Flags uncovers a series of historical references to the whereabouts of DeLuna's treasure and offers these clues to the public to find these old and new and very valuable items.

The Fiesta of Five Flags Association has declared a grand-prize winner in the WEAR ABC 3 and West Florida Healthcare DeLuna Treasure Hunt. This year’s winners are Audy Roper, James Harris, Jr. and James Harris, Sr. The family has been competing for numerous years in the treasure hunt and have won twice before. Roper was an addition to the team last year and has become the team leader. “We hoped she would be part of the team,” said James Harris, Sr. “Audy motivated us to hang in there. It is a journey and part of a process.” Roper won the grand prize package valued at $3,200. The grand prize included $2,000 cash and a Jewelers Trade Shop 14K gold necklace with a Spanish Reale valued at $1,200.

Since Roper is of Spanish decent, she felt very fortunate to have won in 2009 which marks the 450th anniversary of the founding of Pensacola by Spain in 1559. Roper helped translate words while learning about the history of Pensacola. She has been a Pensacola resident for the past eight years. 

The Harris team had an honorary team member that passed away last year. Stanley Levin has been participating with the family for numerous years. Roper said, “He (Levin) was a very special guy and we wish he was here.”

2009 Winners
1st place winners ($2,000 in cash) - Audy Roper, James Harris, Jr. and James Harris, Sr.
2nd place winner ($700 in cash) - Rhonda Pierce
3rd place winner ($300 in cash) - William Keethler

Bonus prizes ($100 in cash)
Karin Lamar
Nick Liddell
Diane Russell
Richard Ursrey
Michael Whaley

Fiesta Fun Hunt Winner ($350 in cash)
Jennifer Keenan

Special thank you again to our WEAR and West Florida Healthcare Deluna Treasure Hunt sponsors!

WEAR ABC 3, West Florida Healthcare and Jewelers Trade Shop.