Pekin Marigold Festival Medallion Hunt Sponsored by Jimmy John's ®

For a number of years, I longed to use the Pavilion as a hiding location. Its high visibility, less than abundant hiding spots, and clearly seen items near it, made the use of it fun but also very challenging. The only place I could put the medallion was under ground-level gaps in the lattice skirting around the Pavilion's deck. There are two obvious openings. But, last fall I spied another on the northwest corner of the building. To insure that the hunt would not be a short one, I knew that I would have to choose a hiding place slightly beneath the decking. That still might make it too visible. Therefore, I chose to attach the medallion to a small piece of wood with nearly invisible fishing line. My hider could then slide the medallion back slightly to avoid quick detection. It would only be that piece of wood that could be easily seen. More than anything, it was the calendar that led to the Pavilion being selected. It turned 108 years old on July 3rd. Given the popul...

Congratulations to John & Sara Hessling from Marquette Heights who figured out the clues and found the Pepsi Marigold Medallion this afternoon at about 12:30pm.  More details to follow.

Time for the down-low, lets pull this thing out. "Pride in place" is the expression of the day. I float by you a true icon; Pillars of the community you'd have to say. To find your prize, seek a small piece of wood, To which fishing line is connected. Reach in carefully for it lies alone, An opening to a hunt now perfected.

Lets go back to your third clue. You should interpret it as one-o-eight. I'm not talking about what you think it is. A public website may help find a date. So go out and criss-cross all over. With some effort it's within your reach. The desired outcome lies in the land down under; An endemic outlook of which I beseech.

Looking forward to this special fall event, It's cool but I focus on the trees. You mainly approach from one direction. Examine closely and you'll notice more than three. Noah had his method; An orderly system he had to use. But my approach is more inanimate; It's a way I perpetuate this ruse.

He was great in a pugilistic movie classic; And remember that Tarzan had his pal. There's a noun in there somewhere. The most studious will research it well. Expand your field of vision. Observe everything in all directions. Consider how useful are commodities, That create the basis for your detection.

You've had an exercise in mathematics; Perhaps some geometry eventually applied. They are signs for your deliberation. Continue slowly and note points denied. The holiday is nearly upon us. How long with this hunt go on? Seems like it will last forever. It could happen if I pull off this con.

Here comes the use of more numbers. Ten and seventeen point five. Another step toward my combinations, And watch for the times I derive. Remember to look closely for subtle changes; Colors of the environment and a rider in France. Lines that seem to run in consistant allignment; For no other purpose except to enhance.

Five score and the lucky plus one, A veritable compilation of numbers. Throw in the use of colors, Knowing evenings do not encumber. Walk diligently counting twelve then thirty-four, It's all in how you look. Dash around but not too swiftly, Or your assistance could be easily mistook.

This year you'll need to do your homework, Technology useful in your study. Winning titles and seeking summation, While being respectful of your hunting buddies As a detective you look for oddities. But the hunter looks for themes. Better to examine the evidence carefully, Thinking as directly as this writer deems.

Hard to believe it's here again, That time to pull you in. While there are many ways to decipher, There's only one path that yields the win. Some only share abundant facts and figures, Until you can't tell the forest from the trees. So much available to work with, Finding ways to add to hunting memories.

The official disclaimer for the 2013 Pepsi Marigold Medallion Hunt: The Pepsi Marigold Medallion will not be hidden on any golf course, public or private, inside Pekin Community High School stadium, Dragonland, any school facility, flowerbed, around the Sun Dial, or in close proximity to the Pekin Archery Range and the U.A.W. Highrise. The medallion will not be placed in a recessed lighting fixture at the Pekin Public Library or Dirksen Congressional Center. The medallion also will not be placed near the fence at the Federal Bureau of Prisons. No location will be selected that requires physical risk. Please be careful to look out for poison ivy and poison oak. Also, please be respectful of the property that you are on and considerate of your fellow hunters. Good luck!

Part of the great 2012 Pepsi Marigold Medallion Hunt mystery has been solved!  An 11 year-old camper from the Pekin Park District's summer camp program found the original 2012 medallion near the Soldwedel Program Center. You might recall the 2012 Medallion was discovered missing from it's original hiding spot after Clue 6 was revealed.  But no one called by the deadline, so a replacement medallion was hidden in the same spot and the hunt continued. Many theories were given on the disappearance.  The most likely explanation was that an animal drug it away, and that appears to be the case.  Watch for more information on the story of the 2012 medallion in the next few days. The first clue for the 2013 Pepsi Marigold Medallion Hunt will be released on Monday, August 26th.

Thanks to Miranda Decker, the 2013 PCHS graduate and art student, who designed the 2013 Pepsi Medallion.  It's a beautiful medallion made of a clear piece of acrylic.  In the picture below it is sitting on a piece of yellow tissue paper.  Watch for the first clue on Monday, August 26th.