SEVENTH ANNUAL MEDALLION HUNT
The Annual Bloomington Parks and Recreation Medallion Hunt will take place in January and February 2026 as part of Winter Fete. The first clue will be announced January 13 and clues will come every Tuesday and Friday morning. The hunt will end when someone finds the commemorative medallion. The medallion will be hidden in one of Bloomington's 97 parks.
THE MEDALLION
An image of the medallion is shown below. It's about as big across as a hockey puck or a typical coffee table drink coaster.
MEDALLION HUNT WINNER
Congratulations to Kolby Schuldt, Lacy Schuldt and Kristin Zumberge on finding the 2026 Winter Fete Medallion on Saturday, January 24. The medallion was located in a tree stump near a path in Marsh Lake Park just north of Bloomington Ice Garden.
For their efforts, they win a fabulous prize package full of glowing family fun plus bragging rights as the 2026 Medallion Hunting Champions of Bloomington!
For fun, click the Medallion Hunt tab below to see all of this year's clues (including those not used) along with explanations of their meanings.
Thanks to everyone who participated in the hunt this year!
CLUES AND TIMING
Clues will be provided on this web page and on the Facebook home of Bloomington Parks and Recreation on Tuesday and Friday mornings beginning in January. There will be 10 clues in all.
Medallion Hunt Clues
- Clue #1 - January 13
Bloomington’s annual hunt is here, and it starts today! Let the search begin, there’s no need to delay.
A wonderful prize awaits the keen-eyed scout. Hidden in our parks and trails, there is no doubt.
- Clue #2 - January 16
If you're tempted to dig or destroy, keep in mind there’s no need. Hard hats aren’t necessary, and you can go at your own speed.
- Clue #3 - January 20
- Go out and enjoy all that Bloomington has to offer. An epic hunting story awaits, with you as the author. It will take wandering eyes and an inquisitive mind. Keep dissecting the clues, they’ll assist in the find.
- Meaning: If you closely "dissect" the first three clues, you'll notice they start with B, I, and G. This is a subtle hint to look near BIG (Bloomington Ice Garden).
- Clue #4 - January 23
- Branches sway above the way. Let it go, have fun and play. Your treasure awaits where footsteps stray. Will today be your lucky day?
- Meaning: Hint that the medallion is hidden near a path in the woods. Also, "Let it go" = "Frozen" = ice = BIG = near where the medallion is hidden.
Clues not used
- Clue #5 - January 27
- Invite your courage, step out, and take a shot. Keeping blue, white and red in mind should help you mark the spot.
- Meaning: Alluding to the Marsh Lake Archery Range located on nearby France Ave. France’s flag colors are blue, white and red, same as a typical archery target.
- Clue #6 - January 30
- Guiding the way is the fourth of twenty-six. Just make sure to add 43,560 into the mathematical mix. The place where it lies stretches far and wide, find the right park and you will see where it does hide.
- Meaning: The fourth letter of the 26-letter alphabet Is D, which is the Roman numeral for 500. An acre is 43,560 square feet. 500 acres is the size of Marsh Lake, which is the park where the medallion is hidden.
- Clue #7 - February 3
- Be on the lookout for numbers, five and then four. Be quick on your feet or you may not find what’s in store. Three isn’t helpful for this specific run, but you might look near the home of what recently went from two to one.
- Meaning: Marsh has five letters and Lake has four. Kennedy and Jefferson hockey merged from two teams to one, and they play at BIG, near where the medallion was hidden.
- Clue #8 - February 6
- In a tear drop is where you will find the home of this year’s treasure. A view from up above is how you should measure.
- Meaning: Marsh Lake is a tear drop shape when viewed from Google maps overhead view.
- Clue #9 - February 10
- Gleaming walls renewed and floors made bright, a chill lingers softly in sight.
Where ice may dance and echoes play, your hunt concludes near this display.- Meaning: A shoutout to the recently-completed Bloomington Forward Modernization Project at BIG, letting people know the medallion is near the facility.
- Clue #10 - February 13
- The final hint is here, your quest is nearly done. Seek at 44.830983, -93.323475, and let the search be fun.
- Meaning: The exact GPS coordinates to the medallion's location.
PRIZE PACKAGE
Whoever finds the Medallion will win a fabulous prize package full of glowing family fun! Just as importantly, the Medallion finder earns the bragging rights over friends, family and neighbors for the next year, which is a prize on which you can't put a price!
PREVIOUS WINNERS
2025 - The Webb Family
2024 - The Schuldt Family
2023 - Adrian Koester
2022 - Stephanie & Casey Auen
2020/2021 - The Hoffman Family
