Medallion Hunt

Congratulations to our 2026 finders, Jess and Jovie Pothan, of White Bear Lake! They discovered the medallion in a groove of tree bark at Garden Creek Park in White Bear Township.

 

 

Medallion Hunt Clues & Explanations

Clue #1:

Let the clues cascade – so many parks to raid

Keep our spaces lovely – please do your part.

Before commencing our trip, we tip our helmets to the Hipp

Freeze not its water from your heart.

Explanation:

We welcome hunters to a brand new hunt! This year’s Manitou Days theme celebrates the Hippodrome. While we are not able to hide the medallion at the Hippodrome, we did decide to seek out a public park that offers ice skating during the winter (“freeze not its water from your heart”). 

 

Clue #2:

Parks have names etched and framed

To help you know your locus.

For a little fuel, keep your thinking dual

Between them is where you should focus.

Explanation:

There are two wooden signs that welcome visitors to Garden Creek park (one on Portland Avenue and the other on Grand Avenue). The medallion was placed between them. 

 

Clue #3:

When you question where you belong, the hunt can go long

As all over the town you scour.

Yonder whistles do blow, but they all could never bestow

A corked up trinket of power. 

Explanation:

Combining “Long” and “town” (“ville”) was a subtle hint at Longville Park, located just south of Garden Creek park. Also found to the south are railroad tracks (“yonder whistles”). Both Longville Park and the railroad tracks are close to the hiding spot but yet not in the immediate vicinity of the treasure. “Corked” also revealed that we once again constructed a medallion made of cork. 

 

Clue #4:

May we be so bold as to say that an object quite old

Aided us in our maneuver.

It would be beneficial to avoid structures artificial

Seek out our helpful groover. 

Explanation:

The “object quite old” and “avoid structures artificial” referred to the mature tree to which the medallion was attached. Referring to the tree as a “groover” hinted that hunters should focus their attention to grooves in the bark – the medallion was rolled up and tucked in a small nook. 

 

Clue #5:

You’re well on your way to find the 1K

And that is a clue unto itself. 

To cook with fire, seek out an empire

Or pull some drifters off the shelf. 

Explanation:

$1K is sometimes referred to as a “grand” – hinting at nearby Grand Avenue. The second half of the clue referred to the nearby Boardwalk development. Boardwalk Empire was a popular HBO drama in the 2010s and “Under the Boardwalk” was a famous song released by the Drifters in the 1960s. 

 

Clue #6:

Go and bloom where you find a little room

In the city? Stop and smell the roses.

You don’t need a trail – you’re still bound to prevail! 

Just assume all your regular hunting poses.

Explanation:

On the surface, “bloom” and “roses” pointed to a Garden, which is in the name of our park. However, the astute hunter may have put together that “roses” and “in the city” also hinted at Portland Avenue. Portland, Oregon is commonly referred to as the “City of Roses.” Hunters are also told that there isn’t a formal trail ound in the park. 

 

Clue #7:

Heed the melodic poem: go where they roam

But toward the quad do not be lured. 

The Charlie is creepin’ where you should be peepin’

Go unlock the promise we’ve secured.

Explanation:

The “melodic poem” that goes with “roam” is Home on the Range. In that musical poem, it is buffalo who roam. The medallion was located south of Buffalo Street. The “quad” to avoid is Four Seasons Park (also located near Buffalo Street). When studying the turf of Garden Creek park, one would observe quite a bit of Creeping Charlie.

 

Clue #8:

At our homeland, you can sift through sand

Brave the chute or rock to and fro. 

Come give our spot a spin – but where to begin? 

It’s easy friends, just go toward the flow. 

 

Cotton flies and can fill the skies

Clogging your screens and coating the grass.

Our safe harbor is northwest on arbor

But northeast of a frolicking lad or lass. 

Explanation:

The first three lines of the clue refer to playground equipment found in the park. However, our medallion wasn’t  hidden there. Instead, hunters needed to move closer to the creek (“go toward the flow”). The second stanza placed the medallion on the northwest of a cottonwood tree, which could be found to the northeast of the playground area. 

 

Clue #9:

Hunches will harden as you traipse through a garden

Where moving water does gurgle.

Once in our harbor, inspect the arbor

For there clings a treasure to burgle. 

Explanation:
“Garden” and “moving water” placed the medallion at Garden Creek park. This clue also fully revealed that the medallion was clinging to a tree.  

 

Clue #10:

Go take a peek at a park called Garden Creek

Let its tiny footprint bewitch. 

They with the luck will unroll and untuck

The treasure from its barky niche.

Explanation:

Final directions to the 2026 Manitou Days medallion. 

 

Medallion Hunt Rules

• The first clue will be released on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at 6:00PM at Marketfest in Downtown White Bear Lake. A new clue will be released daily at 6:00PM until the medallion is found (for up to 10 days).
• Clues can be found on the Manitou Days Facebook page, Coldwell Banker Realty Facebook page, or the Manitou Days website. 
• The medallion is hidden on public land in White Bear Lake, White Bear Township, or Birchwood. Hunters can be assured that the medallion will not be hidden at the Fillebrown House, Tamarack Nature Center, or in any construction zone. The medallion will also not be hidden on school property.
• If you find the medallion, please IMMEDIATELY call the number printed on the medallion. Nobody wants to keep searching for a medallion that has already been found. Once we have verified that the medallion has been found, we will promptly announce the end of the hunt through the Manitou Days website and our social media platforms. 
• At no time should the property be damaged. The medallion is hidden in such a way where hunters will not need garden tools, will not need to swim, nor will need to engage in any activity that puts themselves or others in danger. The medallion will never be hidden in a way where ornamental plants or garden beds will need to be trampled upon.Hunters are encouraged to politely help each other remember these simple rules so that our public spaces can remain safe and fun for all people who enjoy our public spaces.
• To honor the spirit of this event, the finder of the medallion will win $750 and will earn a $250 bonus if that finder is a resident of White Bear Lake, White Bear Township, Vadnais Heights, Birchwood, Hugo, Mahtomedi or Willernie. Proof of residence will be required for claiming the bonus amount at the time of the medallion’s discovery. To also ensure more access to local families, all are invited to search for the medallion but anyone outwitting our clue writer for two years in a row will be ineligible to win the following year.
• In the event that the medallion is not found within 24 hours of the release of the last clue, Coldwell Banker Realty and its co-sponsors reserve the right to end the hunt and donate the prize money to a local charity.