FIFTH ANNUAL MEDALLION HUNT
The FIFTH Annual Bloomington Parks and Recreation Medallion Hunt will take place in January and February 2024 as part of Winter Fete. The first clue will be announced on January 16. 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 example picture of the medallion is shown below. It's about as big across as a hockey puck or a typical coffee table drink coaster.
2024 Medallion Design
Clues and Timing
Clues will be provided on this web page and on the Facebook home of Bloomington Parks and Recreation. NOTE: The first clue is on Tuesday, January 16 due to the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. All subsequent clues will be posted on Mondays and Thursdays with the final clue announced on February 15.
Medallion Hunt Winners!
Congratulations to the Schuldt Family! With the help of only four clues, Lacy, Bill and their son Kolby found the 2024 Winter Fete Medallion on Thursday, January 25 in its hiding spot near the tennis courts at Bryant Park.
For their efforts, they'll receive a prize package that includes a Nespresso Vertuo Deluxe Coffee and Espresso machine, a sherpa fleece king-sized blanket, two insulated coffee mugs, wireless earbuds, a rechargeable hand warmer, hot chocolate, a milk frothing set, and more. They also have exclusive bragging rights over friends, family and neighbors for the next year!
Just for fun, see below for a list of all of this year's clues, with explanations of what each one means.
MEDALLION HUNT CLUES
Clues that were used this year
- Clue #1 - Tuesday, January 16
97 Parks we have and one of them calls your number. The medallion is out there somewhere, no time to slumber!
Meaning: Go out to one of our 97 parks.
- Clue #2 - Thursday, January 18
The finder of the medallion will surely earn themselves a treat. Don’t dig, don’t destroy, and please peacefully compete.
Meaning: The medallion is in plain site. No need to excavate, move or destroy anything to find it.
- Clue #3 - Monday, January 22
This park is sometimes used as a place to teach. You can walk or run there with its 1,600-foot reach.
Meaning: The park in which the medallion resides is 1,600 feet from corner to corner.
- Clue #4 - Thursday, January 25
Basic math operations may help with this clue. But you'll need three pieces to interpret the brew. 100, 45, 2, 35 and 5 might show you what to do.
Meaning: The first of three clues that give away the address to the park. 100(+)45(-)2(x)35(/)5 = 1001 , which is part one of the address.
Clues that were not used this year
- Clue #5 - Monday, January 29
On the first light of the 5th day you may want to look this way. But conversely they say will allow the medallion to play.
Meaning: In the Lord of the Rings film, the wizard Gandalf says, "On the first light of the 5th day at dawn, look to the EAST." The converse of east is West, which is part two of the address. 1001 West...
- Clue #6 - Thursday, February 1:
Look to Andromeda for some help with this next task. Copeland’s Lenticular galaxy should be the spot for your first ask.
Meaning: NGC 85 is a spiral lenticular galaxy located in the andromeda constellation, discovered by Ralph Copeland in 1873. The number 85 is part 3 of the address to this park. Put it all together and it is 1001 West 85th Street.
- Clue #7 - Monday, February 5:
In 1854 Joe moved to this place. He set up a home that taught children in the space.
Meaning: Bloomington First Public School was in the Harrison Home. Joseph Harrison and his family came to Bloomington in 1854 from Wolf Island, Canada. He built a house on the west bank of a small lake, which is now Bryant Park. The site of the house was approximately the 8500 Block and Emerson Avenue. Records indicate that one of the 10 daughters taught school in her father's house in 1855 and this was the first public school in Bloomington which was not affiliated with the religious mission schools.
- Clue #8 - Thursday, February 8:
This park is due for a large makeover this year, come check it out and the medallion will certainly be near.
Meaning: Bryant park will be getting a makeover in 2024.
- Clue #9 - Monday, February 12:
One of the greatest of all time, #4 in points scored. Use the mamba to help you find your reward.
Meaning: Kobe Bryant is #4 in points scored all time and has the last name of Bryant, same as the park the medallion is hidden in.
- Clue #10 - Thursday, February 15:
The last clue is here, this one will surely get you the prize. Head to 44.848529, -93.291742 and open your eyes.
Meaning: Okay, fine, so this isn't really a clue. It's just GPS directions to within a few feet of the medallion's location. We've never made it to Clue 10 in the five year history of the Medallion Hunt. Guess we'll just have to try harder next year!
Previous Medallion Hunt Winners
Thanks to all of our past participants!
2023 - Adrian Koester
2022 - Stephanie & Casey Auen
2020/2021 - The Hoffman Family
