Summerfest Medallion Hunt Clues Explained

The city of Oakdale announced that “Megan” found the 2013 Summerfest medallion on Saturday at along a path on Hadley Avenue.

The city also provided the reasoning behind the clues for the annual hunt.

Clue No. 1

Welcome back medallion hunt friends

This year’s hunt promises interesting blends.

Last year we know, was no match for a young sleuth

In 2013 the cherished medallion says, “I shall be more aloof”

Long-time seekers, you could probably recite all the rules.

First-time seekers, this clue fits you with just the right tools.

To locate the medallion, must you swim? Oh, no, no swimming!

Must you hone your climbing skills? Oh, no, no climbing

And will you need to bring Spot or a shovel to dig? Absolutely not!

Explanation

References the fact that last year the medallion was located early in the search by a young searcher who cracked the code of the clues. As many seekers were disappointed that the search ended prematurely, the clue-writing committee felt it beneficial for all to make this year’s clues more challenging. Finally, the rules to play by: no climbing, swimming or digging is necessary to locate the medallion.

Clue No. 2

Many years as a resident, now County Commissioner and past mayor as well,

Ted Bearth, Ted Bearth, a name you should all know well.

Thanks to Mr. Bearth, Summerfest has grown to be the best,

It’s only fitting then to honor this great volunteer’s one request.

Central to Summerfest events is Richard Walton Park Activity abounds from early morning till well after dark.

We’ll aide in your search and place a smile on Ted’s face

By not hiding the medallion in this pivotal place.

Explanation

Pays due respect to the past mayor, current county commissioner and long-time resident, Ted Bearth. It’s an understatement to note that without Ted Bearth, Summerfest, as we know it today, may not/probably would not exist.
Ted pours his heart and soul into this celebration and made the simple request of the clue committee to make certain everyone knew, early on, that the medallion WAS NOT hidden at Walton Park.

Clue No. 3

Well now, thanks to them, this year we add some new flair.   

The Summerfest Royalty RU aware?

The purse, by fifty percent, increases so easy, so sudden.   

An opportunity afforded only those with a button.

Explanation

This year the OBPA (Oakdale Business & Professional Association) was approached by the Summerfest Royalty and in a joint effort to promote the sale/purchase of Summerfest buttons to help the Royalty. The Royalty agreed to place an additional $500 into the prize money if the person(s) who found the medallion had purchased a Summerfest button.

Clue No. 4

Early in 2012, the Young family cracked the code.

The first letter in each clue placed them in the right mode.

Bethke Park they discovered the engraved plastic disk.

Another park in 2013 or would this assumption carry great risk?

Explanation

References last year’s medallion hunt winners by name. Most importantly, this clue is the first suggestion that the medallion may not be located in a park. While past medallions have always been hidden on a park, the rules do allow the medallion to be hidden on “public/city property.”

Clue No. 5

Well, well, well, well, well… runners and walkers and cyclists too.

You’ve passed it so often, yet nary a clue?

It dangles, it swings and floats in the breeze.

Two feet off the ground, you’ll snatch it with ease.

Explanation

Clue No. 5 begins, not by accident, with the use of the word “well.” It is repeated a total of five times in this clue. Many would easily make the reference to Oakdale Well No. 5, located perhaps confusingly, near Richard Walton Park, where it has already been noted the medallion is not hidden. “Runners and walkers and cyclists” would further reference the paved path (city property) along Hadley Avenue. The remainder of the clue foretells the exact positioning of the medallion as it was hung on a branch, free-swinging, approximately two feet from the ground.

Clue No. 6

A Signature Street the City so called

Traditional searchers in parks stand appalled.

So long to Randy Bastyr, a long-time Summerfest Friend We’ll miss you each year and the countless hours you spend.

Speaking of hours, how did you not run out of steam?


Was it true your volunteer hours each year were 129 or 130?

Or, was it something in between?

Explanation

Gives more clarity to Clues 4 and 5. The medallion is not in a park, and it has a location relative to Oakdale Well No. 5 and now Clue No. 6 specifically references Hadley Avenue: the city’s Signature Street. Randy Bastyr has been an employee with the city of Oakdale for over 30 years and will be retiring just after Summerfest. Like Ted Bearth, Bastyr had devoted countless hours to Summerfest and deserves a huge thank you for his commitment to both the city and Summerfest.

The confusing reference to the number of hours Randy has spent each year is really a reference to the steel high voltage power poles that run adjacent to Hadley Avenue. Each tower, albeit faint and faded in many areas, is numbered. The medallion was hidden somewhere between tower No. 129 and tower No. 130.

Clue No. 7

The statue of gold, Moroni, will aide in your search

Slightly camouflaged in a bag, a few hundred feet from his perch.

Evergreen trees along the path are the key


Careful and gentle it’s quite easy to see.

The Oakdale Business & Professional Association

thanks to all who took part


In a great summer tradition.


In a City with Heart.

Explanation

Gives the specific details of the medallion’s location. The gold statue of the Angel Moroni sets atop the beautiful, Mormon Temple on Hadley Avenue. The medallion is encased in a zip-lock bag camouflaged with pine needles and attached to the branch of an evergreen tree along the walking/biking/running path on Hadley Avenue. Finally, a note that the OBPA, the organization that started and has funded this event since its inception in 2000, thanks all participants.

If you like this event, your comments will help ensure this wonderful event continues for many years to come. Send a note to OBPA President Daniel Rude at: dbr@teqone.com. Until next year, thanks to all who participated!