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

  Medallion Hunt Clues and Explanations:   The medallion was found just off the McNaughton Park’s Potowatamie Trail Sheridan Road access.   Every year my writing approach is the same:   once a hiding spot is selected, start writing clues that progressively reveal it.   As a tool for hunters, I’ll often find concepts, themes or other references to add to the mental exercise this treasured event partly is.    With the advent of AI, caution in crafting them became important. This year I was struck by two main ideas to use.   The first was the Marigold Festival’s excellent choice of Maureen Naughtin as Grand Marshal. Add “Mc” before her last name and you’re in the neighborhood.   The second occurred when listening to Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven”.   Check out the lyrics.   For example “in a tree by a brook”; “the forests will echo with laughter” “those who stand tall” (trees); “there are two paths you can go by”; “words have t...

  Clue #6 Are you humming the song that directs you Which way you have to go. Left may be right and right may be wrong,  A criss-cross as I send you to and fro.   You know what gathers no moss, A perennial leader who gets next Saturday going, Hard to get much growing tall. Will there be more steps that I’m bestowing?   Gary Gillis Cluemeister

  Clue # 5 Facticity in proper alignment, Always music to my ears A divine effort in what I told you to study Because the lyrics could get you near.   What’s out is in, or is it what’s in is out? It’s all in how the record is played. But this song in mind is so classic It’s heavy and you can’t afford the price paid.   Gary Gillis Cluemeister 

  Clue #4   Examine how Germans in World War 2 First interpreted the D-Day invasion. The main way you might approach this  Is to remember that on this occasion.   Growing from the beginning, Will you go four for four? A great song revered by we boomers, Gives a natural high you can’t ignore.   Gary Gillis Cluemeister   

 Clue #3 There’s colour in every hunt,  Defined in its own way. Clues can certainly be cryptic It’s not always in the way I say. Maybe mercurial in my construction, Sometimes going this way or that. The study of history in this application, Take note of just over 50 years past. Gary Gillis Cluemeister 

  Clue # 2 Remember that dismissive, That sees everything the same? Endorse it at your own peril. No one but yourself to blame. There’ll be plenty for armchair quarterbacks  Many verses will be somewhat lyrical But remember it always takes an effort Your pursuit well beyond purely physical Gary Gillis Cluemeister

  Clue #1 Here we go again my friends Another year of engagement Time to play with words and places Working around with various arrangements Concepts will again be part of this And some different history I’ll employ No flower beds but there’s a sweet sound That for so long we have enjoyed. Gary Gillis Cluemeister

  2024 Jimmy Johns Marigold Medallion Hunt   I knew that Tante Park would be my choice earlier than I usually choose my hiding spot. In early June I created an episode for my podcast   “What’s the Story, Pekin”, where I enlisted Pekin Library’s local historian, Jared Olar to research a special topic.   I asked him if he could look into how a number of iconic Pekin locations got their names.   We titled it “What’s in a Name” and it included places like FM Peterson Theater, CB Smith and Wilson Schools, James Field, McNaughton Park and more.   Jared found great information.   But the place that had him stumped was Tante Park.   In a sense it was a story that is perhaps “lost to history”.   But I knew I had found the Medallion’s future hiding location.   That podcast would be part of my conceptual framework.   Using it would be new, unpredictable, and unexpected- just what keeps the Medallion Hunt special for many.   Besides,...

 

  Clue#6   Are you drawing closer To the trappings of success? Don’t overlook a sequence of numbers, Nor add to your duress   The ayes have it, but here it’s easy. Indifferent and always strong. You may be down and then you’re up. Broadcasted clearly to a listening throng.   Gary Gillis

Clue # 5   The wheels are in motion It’s certainly not downhill from here. Yogi talked of a utensil In this case it’s unusually clear.   A funny name for a convention site And for hunters to take a break There may be something that blocks your way Why’s it there for heaven’s sake?     Gary Gillis

  Clue # 4   I know so many are now looking, There are stories that abound. Venture off, study and listen judiciously. It’s episodic in how it can be found.   What is on the other side of the ball? And a surface like a clue that is hard? You’ll notice in your endeavors That which nature chose to discard.   Gary Gillis  

    Clue #3   Some people tend to air out their differences. Or perhaps there’s stories they like to tell. Some listen and seek answers to questions. It’s what you learn that serves you well.   How much exercise will this take? Heart pumping blood and working hard? Or will you tune out this reference, Posted studies in this regard?   Gary Gillis    

Clue#2   Remember the rules and disclaimers. Sometimes I have to say them again and again. I know I’ll likely string you along. Sights and sounds in these clues I’ll extend.   We’ll consider our share of history, Where I take you quite a ways back. Our Bicentennial gives you a lot to study. I’ll take the fifth and wonder how you’ll react.

  Gary’s Hunt Update: 346-HUNT was a a great tradition; A old phone number now long-fabled. Business changes and technical glitches, Led to the number being permanently disabled, But these days we live our lives online- So change is change, we’ll all be fine. So on with the hunt..   Clue # 1 We’re off to the races again my friends. So many out looking for the elusive disc. Will this be a long laborious process, Or one where hunters make the effort brisk?”   I’ll introduce multiple references, Some plain and one you cannot see. Sagacity and dogged determination. For those at home it will simply be.  

Marigold Medallion Hunt Begins The first clue will be released Monday, August 26, 2024 at 12:00 PM. [PEKIN, IL] The Marigold Medallion Hunt kicks off on Monday, August 26, 2024! The Marigold Medallion has been hidden in a public location somewhere within the city of Pekin. Prepare to find it by tuning in to the Pekin Marigold Festival Facebook page at 12:00 pm for the first clue. Clues crafted by longtime Cluemaster and Grand Marshal of this year’s Marigold Festival, Gary Gillis, will continue to be released daily, Monday through Friday, at 12:00 pm, and on Saturday at 6:30 am, until the Medallion is found.  The Marigold Medallion hunt is a city-wide hunt for a small disc, hidden in a public location in Pekin. Since 1978, the tradition has transformed Pekin into a treasure map as hunters decode clues from the Cluemaster to uncover the Medallion’s hidden location.  Everyone is encouraged to participate in this exciting challenge, which combines puzzle-solving, exploration, and ...

 

  Clue 9   When I went and chose the spot, I sat awhile and stayed Ventured into the woods and found the place. My mind flashed yellow so I pedaled away.     100+ paces from a street that fits to a “T” Treading where certain things are not allowed. Tunnel of trees, beyond those fallen with ease, Log your 4 by 6 find and prepare for a crowd.   Gary Gillis Cluemeister

Clue 8   What was mine will soon be yours, A point I may not need to get across It’s an annual price we have to pay. From there it’s less a physical cost.   Last Tuesday we looked at early sunshine, Traversing on to your waiting quest.  Overheated, no longer standing tall? Go Abe’s score of paces to where it rests.   Gary Gillis

  Clue 7   In one I gave you a place, Four spells what is a French derivative. Green is certainly not golf, And space can be prohibitive.   I reserve the right to still hold back. Sending you all over the map. You can hear them as they pass you by Running circles, it’s nearly a wrap.     Gary Gillis Cluemeister