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2024 LaCrosse Oktoberfest Medallion Hunt

Submitted by Administrator on

The Oktoberfest USA Medallion Hunt is sponsored by Emerj360. One clue per day will be issued starting Monday, September 16, 2024. Clues are posted on the Oktoberfest USA Facebook and Instagram at approximately 6:30 a.m. each day. Ten clues have been prepared and will be shared in order until the medallion is found or all ten are used (whichever comes first). Prizes awaiting the person finding the medallion include: $500 cash, and a souvenir medallion provided by Satori Arts.

Medallion Hunt rules are similar to previous years. The 2024 Oktoberfest Medallion:

  • Is always located within the La Crosse city limits
  • Is never buried in the ground
  • Is always on public property
  • Is accessible 24 hours, but posted hours should be observed
  • Fits in the palm of a hand
  • May be camouflaged

Medallion hunters are encouraged to work in teams, as some hiding spots will have limited accessibility.

Oktoberfest USA requests that all medallion hunters respect public and private property (as well as their fellow hunters) while trying to locate the medallion. In addition to not damaging foliage while searching for the medallion.

Hunt Information
Dates
Scheduled Dates
Monday, September 16, 2024
Find Date
Sunday, September 22, 2024
Finders
Name
Willie Bittner
Name
Kerry Pishke
Prize
Maximum Prize
$500 plus the medallion
Awarded Prize
$500 plus the medallion
Location
General Location
Eagle Watch

43.860260649363, -91.241651412695

Clues
Clue 1
Published Date
Monday, September 16, 2024, 6:30 AM

Oktoberfest 2024: Friendship, Gemütlichkeit and More!
The festivities begin soon so head out to explore;
The little, round disc is out there again and hidden,
Join with others to read, decipher and search on this annual mission.

The official meaning of the clue.

The first clue traditionally signifies that the annual Oktoberfest Medallion Hunt is underway. A place where people explore is a subtle hint of the site.

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Clue 2
Published Date
Tuesday, September 17, 2024, 6:30 AM

The new brand was created by Gathering Waters Design,
It became the area’s new moniker in an attempt to streamline;
Mississippi, Kickapoo, La Crosse and Root,
Add in Black, Trempealeau and Bad Axe to boot.

The official meaning of the clue.

The moniker, “7 Rivers Region,” signifies the importance of one of the area’s rivers is to the hiding spot. Eventually, hunters will discover that river is the Black.

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Clue 3
Published Date
Wednesday, September 18, 2024, 6:30 AM

A pioneer in a vital industry amid the city’s lore,
Left and returned and even held the title of mayor;
With his business partner sawed log after log,
Sold millions of feet to serve the country’s lumber cog.

The official meaning of the clue.

Albert Pettibone and his business partner, F.W. Rublee, were prominent early lumber barons in the city. The area where the medallion is hidden is on one of the early lumber thoroughfares and near Rublee Steet, named for the businessman.

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Clue 4
Published Date
Thursday, September 19, 2024, 6:30 AM

Pines and hardwoods were prominent around the Coulee Region,
Floated down river along with more each season;
Goddards’, Crosby’s, Sawyer & Austin’s among many other,
Was the region’s late 1800s chief economic shopkeeper.

The official meaning of the clue.

The white pine and other hardwoods were floated down the Black River where the mouth became the Midwest’s hub of sawmills. The hiding area is near where many of those mills were located.

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Clue 5
Published Date
Friday, September 20, 2024, 6:30 AM

The dual name is confusing to only sometime meddlers,
Named for a statewide politician and one of the area’s early settlers;
Today thriving businesses and an area honoring vets and others,
A definite change from earlier settlers and voyageurs.

The official meaning of the clue.

French Island and Campbell occupy the same land northwest of the Black River mouth, with some of the area in the City of La Crosse and other in the Town of Campbell. The island was named for early area settler Joseph French, while Campbell was named after Erasmus Campbell, a former Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor. The eastern shores of the area are clearly seen from the hiding area.

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Clue 6
Published Date
Tuesday, September 21, 0202, 6:30 AM

Early white settlers saw them out on the prairies,
Named the area for the game played by the Indigenous townees;
Those natives gave many of the region’s landmarks their name,
Though switched to English they remain their claim to fame.

The official meaning of the clue.

Early white settlers saw natives play lacrosse, and a Welcome to La Crosse statue with the depiction of the game is nearby. The Black River, which natives coined Nee saip, leads seekers to the spot.

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Clue 7
Published Date
Sunday, September 22, 2024, 6:30 AM

With origins in the new transportation making the city grow,
A mid-century purchase for more recreational mojo;
Its first name decided by an elementary school group;
Eventually badgered to honor a member of the city council troop.

The official meaning of the clue.

The Badger Hickey Park was purchased in 1958 as a former railroad right-of-way. The railroad was the growing transportation at the turn of the 20th Century. In 1959 the city council asked the Roosevelt Elementary School PTA to name the new recreational area, and it became Badger Playground. In 1981, the council renamed it Badger Hickey Park, honoring the memory of Council Member George Hickey. This further directs seekers to the area of the spot.

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Clue 8

Known for the lovely fragrance, appearance and popularity,
But in this case named for a close friend of a founding father of this grand city;
Nearby, another thoroughfare named for a city official,
Head north and you’ll even add another Campbell.

The official meaning of the clue.

The more prominent street in the area, Rose Street, was named for State Sen. L.S. Rose of Beaver Dam, a close friend of early city official Dugald Cameron. Also, Rublee Street is named for city forefather, Frances Rublee, and North Street is nearby.

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Clue 9

In the late ’50s it was numbered and became the nation’s longest route,
From Washington to Massachusetts, it’s the northernmost standout;
A decade later the Mighty Miss was spanned at Dresbach,
In 2016 a replacement brought smoother sailing on track.

The official meaning of the clue.

I-90 was officially named by the federal government in 1957, becoming the country’s longest intercontinental highway. In 1967, The Dresbach Bridge open, linking La Crosse and Dresbach. Nearly a half-century later a new bridge was built to replace the original structure. The highway is very prominent to the hiding spot.

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Clue 10

The third exit is the best choice to take,
Blue steel and a big sail will help you claim your stake;
An eagle eye is needed for the ultimate find,
Look closely and don’t get stone blind.

The official meaning of the clue.

I-90’s Exit 3 is one of the direct paths to the Eagle Watch wayside on Rose Street along the Black River. The medallion is hidden in the wayside area, which offers a prime viewing spot for viewing the nation’s symbol, the Bald Eagle.

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