All it takes is a little snow to spike Treasure Hunt fever.
Now that we’ve finally got a fresh coat, we’re happy to say it’s nearly time for the annual Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt, presented by Fury Jeep.
At stake is a cool $10,000 prize.
Year 67 of the hunt begins with the first clue on Sunday, with enough daily clues to run through Feb. 1. The hunt could end anytime before that. With a few thousand people out there noodling clues and digging in the snow, who knows?
Since 1952 — when the publisher of the St. Paul Pioneer Press buried a tiny treasure chest telling the finder to report to the paper for a $1,100 prize — the hunt has challenged readers to solve daily clues and find the treasure, which in recent years has been akin to an acrylic hockey puck.
Legions of friendships have formed over the years — friends with a frozen obsession.
This week’s snow no doubt has hunters ready to pan for the prize. Some will even go out before the clues, scouring Ramsey County parks for any sign of the Clue Writer hiding the medallion, says longtime Treasure hunter Jesse Anibas, who runs a website about the hunt.
“They’ll say, ‘Oh, my gosh, it’s going to snow 8 inches today; I wonder if they’re hiding the medallion. Should I go look for footprints?” said Anibas, of White Bear Lake. His website soon will get more views, and sales of his book on Treasure Hunt history will spike. A similar book profiling Ramsey County parks for huntability likely will see the same surge in interest.
The first clue is actually available Saturday, Jan. 20, in the early Sunday edition of the Pioneer Press, which hits newsstands mid-morning. The rest of the clues are available about 11:30 nightly at TwinCities.com and on Facebook at facebook.com/PPtreasurehunt.
But wait — there’s more! A scrambled-word clue is released one hour earlier, at about 10:30 p.m. (See a sample of how impossible they are.)
Early copies of the printed newspaper will be distributed daily at Shamrocks, 995 W. Seventh St. in St Paul, starting the night of Sunday, Jan. 21. Copies are the first off the press and can be delivered anytime between 10:30 and 11:30 p.m.
You can jump into the fun online and be part of a discussion with experienced, casual and even armchair hunters at the Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt Forum, facebook.com/groups/TreasureHuntForum. Already hunters are sharing stories, theories and photos.
To keep up to date on the go, check out our app on iPhone or Android. It has clues, news, a map of past parks, our Facebook page and discussion group and a Vulcan torch for use at the Torchlight Parade when all the hunting is over.
Hunters may also sign up at twincities.com/treasurehunt to receive an email alert each time a new clue is posted.
And, as always, searchers can call the Treasure Hunt Hot Line — 651-228-5547 — to learn whether the medallion has been found.
The lucky/most skilled winner can nab the maximum prize by doing the following:
- For the $2,500 initial cash prize, bring the Treasure Hunt medallion to the Pioneer Press’ office, at 10 River Park Plaza, St. Paul, right away. A phone number will be listed on the medallion to call.
- For another $2,500, bring all the published daily clues, clipped or copied from the Pioneer Press or printed from TwinCities.com, along with the medallion.
- And another $5,000 is awarded if the finder has a registered 2018 Winter Carnival button on them. Buttons must be registered by Friday, Jan. 19.
Complete rules are at TwinCities.com/treasurehunt.
And please remember the hunt motto: “Search … Don’t Destroy.” The Pioneer Press will halt the hunt if public property is destroyed. Also: Steer clear of these places, where the medallion will never be hidden: the State Capitol grounds, Como Zoo & Conservatory, golf courses, under ice-skating surfaces or any artificial turf surface or construction site.
Copyright 2018 Pioneer Press.