2023 Champlin Father Hennepin Festival Medallion Hunt

Submitted by Administrator on Fri, 02/10/2023 - 9:27 AM

Hunt Information

Dates

Scheduled Dates

Monday, June 5, 2023

Find Date

Sunday, June 11, 2023

Finders

Name

Dave F.

Prize

Maximum Prize

$500

Awarded Prize

$500

Location

General Location

The trout pond

Pinpointed Location

On the rough on the east side at the end of 128th Lane.

Concealer

One of the plants

45.187057, -93.412311

Clues

Clue 1

Published Date

Monday, June 5, 2023, 9:00 AM

It's time again for some summer fun,
Trading icy temps for lots of sun.
If your new to the game remember the rules,
No digging, no climbing, and no Dunning School.

Keep off private property and the cemetery,
Metal detectors you are not allowed to carry.
Thank you to Speedway for sponsoring the prize,
Enjoy your festival weekend as we honor the wise.

Our Thoughts

Icy might refer to the ice fishing contest held each winter at the trout pond.

Clue Rating

Clue 2

Published Date

Tuesday, June 6, 2023, 9:00 AM

The history of the festival dates back many years.
We have had celebrities, mayors and even a few cheers.

This year we are excited to have the new Mississippi Crossings,
It's like waking up every day and being Christmas morning.

Concerts and musical trees are at the Crossings this year,
Make sure you are in line, so you can hear.

Back on track to the real task at hand,
If you follow the rules it will bring you to the promise land.

Our Thoughts

The emphasis on Crossings in this clue may be a reference to Elm Creek Crossing, the road on the west side of the trout pond.

Clue Rating

Clue 3

Published Date

Wednesday, June 7, 2023, 9:00 AM

Walk your dog or ride your bike,
Just remember to be sportsmanlike.

Sit in the grass and enjoy the sun,
Dedicate this day to a loved one.

Kids playing in water and birds chirping around,
The sights & sounds of summer are all over town.

The festival is the kick-off and an end to a school term,
Get out of your house this summer, and don't be a bookworm.

Our Thoughts

You can walk your dog or ride your bike around the path on the pond, for sure, but I'm not really sure you can actually play in the water of the pond. At least not easily. Given that the signage explicitly says no fishing on the pond, suggesting it as a place to get out of your house this summer just makes this seem like an unnecessary, useless clue.

Clue Rating

Clue 4

Published Date

Thursday, June 8, 2023, 9:00 AM

Follow the path and go real slow,
When it rains near me you might see a beautiful rainbow.

500 is the max dollars in this prize,
To get an edge, be out before sunrise.

Drop by tonight for a beer tasting event,
Elm Creek Brewing will sell you a ticket, to give you consent.

Home is where the heart is the saying goes,
We couldn't do this without the sponsors, I need to disclose.

Our Thoughts

Elm Creek Brewing may also be a reference to Elm Creek Crossing, opposite the pond from the hiding spot, although Elm Creek itself is just to the south. Consent may refer to the posted "no fishing" signs at the pond, where the ice fishing contest, and starting this year a summer fishing contest, are held, obviously with the consent of the organizers. Getting out before sunrise may refer to when the fishing opener traditionally begins.

Clue Rating

Clue 5

Published Date

Friday, June 9, 2023, 9:00 AM

Today is the parade come check us out,
Claim your spot early for it's a short rout.

We have concerts and fireworks by the creek tonight,
Make plans to catch the impressive sky lights.

If music isn't your jam and you need a plan,
Then come to the crossings to watch spiderman.

Tomorrow we have activities for teens and young ones too,
All ages are welcome, spectators are welcome to view.

Fair food is a treat I wish every year,
French fries & Icees are my favorite, just to be clear.

Our Thoughts

If you looked at the paper clue carefully, you'll note that the t at the end of short in the second line was in italics. "Route" was incorrectly spelled without the trailing e, and if you put them together you get trout, as in trout pond. In addition French fries hinted at French Lake Road, on which the trout pond sits

Clue Rating

Clue 6

Published Date

Saturday, June 10, 2023, 9:00 AM

Some say they have overgrown this festival fun,
We may have gotten off path, but we have just begun.

Look straight ahead and you will see,
The future is bright in this fine city.

A former Mayor had a grand plan,
We will do our best to honor this man.

If you have come to a dead end and feeling blue,
Check back at 2 for a bonus clue.

Our Thoughts

Dead end obviously refers to the cul-de-sac at 128th Lane on the east side of the park. Looking straight ahead/the future is bright most likely refers to the relatively new housing development opposite the pond from the medallion's location.

Clue Rating

Clue 7

Published Date

Saturday, June 10, 2023, 1:00 PM

Our Thoughts

The photos refer to the red-winged blackbirds that inhabit the bird houses on the pond. The trout is a reference to the trout fishing contests on the pond.

Clue Rating

Clue 8

Published Date

Sunday, June 11, 2023, 9:00 AM

Today we have a fishing contest on the Mill Pond,
We hope your family will share a bond.

We have a new summer trout fishing contest this year,
Follow us on Facebook so you can hear.

If you haven't found me by now here is your clue,
Go by the bird house, you may have to cut through.

I'm close by with a straight view,
My favorite number is 128 too.

Our Thoughts

The medallion was within 10 feet of the birdhouse straight in from 128th Lane. This should have been an X marks the spot clue. There are rumors that the medallion was found around 8pm on Saturday evening and not reported until Sunday evening. I gotta believe it was, as there were about 15 people searching Sunday morning in that area; if it was there at that point we would have found it.

Clue Rating