This year’s “Golden Star Treasure Hunt” in Inver Grove Heights ended Thursday shortly after it began.
The treasure hunt winner, Jeff Huebscher, found the 4-inch “Golden Star” hidden underneath a small shrub near the warming house at Skyview Park about 2 p.m. The 24-year-old forklift operator and Inver Grove Heights resident will receive a $500 cash prize for his efforts.
The treasure hunt – part of the city’s annual Inver Grove Heights Days – began at 9 a.m. Thursday with the first set of five clues. Treasure hunt officials had prepared 15 clues.
About 2:30 p.m., Huebscher ran through the doors of City Hall with the Golden Star hidden under his shirt. “I didn’t want anyone to see it until it was official,” he said.
A treasure hunt veteran, Huebscher first searched Oakwood Park but realized the clues didn’t match the surroundings. He said he knew it was hidden at Skyview after finding “the 11 light poles” mentioned in the clues.
“I came close last year, but a group of friends ended up finding it,” said Huebscher, who wasn’t sure Thursday afternoon what he was going to do with the cash prize.
Inver Grove Heights Days runs through Sunday on Cahill Avenue between 65th and 69th streets. Activities include a classic car and power equipment show, music, games, entertainment, and food and beverage vendors. For more information, go to ighdays.org.
– Nick Ferraro
Copyright 2007 Pioneer Press.