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

  For years, I never felt I could hide the medallion down by the river front simply due to the lack of a variety of good references. Many of the features at that location are exclusive to it. That would mean that using one of them could end the hunt quickly.   This year I took notice of Illinois River Road kiosk that has been there for years but which I had never studied.   A closer look at it revealed a possible reference.   It contains “history”, places, spaces, numbers, and colors-from Ottawa to Havana- places near and far.   Observing the area further, with bridge and river traffic,   I knew that would allow for added reference to the “travel” concept. such as “near and far”..   Finally, hiding the medallion at this location would be a first I hunt history, where hunters would “boldly go where no man (medallion finder) has gone before.”   Of course, I had many other hints to reveal that we're more obvious, but as always, I held them back f...

When Carrie Smith and sister Stacey Hayes woke up the morning of Labor Day, they were hopeful. But, the women had no idea they would make history, with years of hard work sleuthing paying off. At 7:11 a.m., little more than an hour after Clue 7 released, the sisters made their discovery at Pekin’s Riverfront Park: the first year in 43 years the Pepsi Marigold Medallion was hidden at this location. Cluemeister Gary Gillis said he had never hidden the Pepsi Marigold Medallion in this area before because of a lack of landmarks that could mislead hunters. The area was essentially too unique. After seeing the Riverway Road sign just adjacent to the Spalshpad, the Cluemeister felt inspired. Key components directing hunters to the location included phrases such as a “panoply of sounds” and the stanza “Look for a 2006 winner of a Presidential Freedom award. Find two books of an historian’s work. You'll be in the thick of your reward.” Sisters Carrie and Stacey have been avid hunters throug...

 Clue 7 Are you out there looking for the key? This might make you groan. The key to finding the key you need. Simply stands alone.   Look for a 2006 winner Of a Presidential Freedom award. Find two books of an historian’s work. You'll be in the thick of your reward.

  Clue 6   If you boldly go with a study of years, Look up and down the terrain. Seek out some variety, It’s anything but plain.   We all should read between the lines. Look for oddities on a tree to be found Find peace for your holiday weekend, And listen for a panoply of sounds.

  Clue 5   If a picture is worth a thousand words, Then here it may be worth more. In many ways it can all add up. You just can’t keep the score.   Many spaces and many places, All for you to seek. They’re all right there in front you, Lean in and take a peek.

 Clue 4  In life, issues are best considered, And examined from all sides; Doing your homework; expanding your thoughts, Individual stories all aligned..   If you carefully follow each clue, Seeking to find a way to win. You know that it often follows. That you find the end in where it begins.

 Clue 3 If you’re out hunting early, Even with the rising sun. Don’t worry if you see it setting. It’s not an ending- it’s just begun.   There are certainly colors and numbers. Easy if you look with care Spread out so far and wide. Telling you what and where.

  Clue 2 Stay away from manicured landscaping Respect for the work caretakers employ If it looks carefully laid-out and vulnerable Please be caring and don’t destroy. Life leaves us so many directives Sending you this way or that. It doesn’t really matter, Whether you stood or if you sat.

 Clue 1 It’s that time of year again; So popular it’s a part of us. There are even those from near and far, Who partake of this effort we trust. There is a key to how you approach this; Telling much of what you need to know Use of history and a cliché or two, May help layout the way to go.

  The Pepsi Marigold Medallion Hunt Begins Monday, August 30 th with a $1500 Cash Prize   It’s not often hundreds of people from one city compete in a scavenger hunt for a single item. But for the City of Pekin, it’s an annual occurrence. For the past 43 years, the Pekin Marigold Festival has opened with the hunt for the Medallion: a small disc hidden within the community, found only by interpreting a series of mystic yet poetic clues. Long-time Cluemeister, Gary Gillis, will release 2021’s first clue on Marigold Festival social media and the Pepsi Marigold Medallion blog Monday, August 30 th at 12:00 p.m. Hunters should be quick to begin deciphering, as the clues release daily with each subsequent clue becoming more revealing. The grand prize for finding the 2021 Pepsi Marigold Medallion is $1500 cash! This year’s Medallion is a fused glass piece, created by Pekin Community High School 2021 graduate Savanna Schultz.   It will be carefully camouflaged and protec...