2026 Cottage Grove Strawberry Fest Medallion Hunt

Submitted by Administrator on Fri, 03/27/2026 - 3:50 PM

The Lucky Hunter will win $250.00 if they are wearing a 2026 Strawberry Fest Button when found or $200.00 if found without a button.

The 2026 Medallion Hunt will begin on Monday - June 15, 2026.

Daily clues are available as follows:

9:00 AM – Clues will be posted at Nate Pica-Anderson’s State Farm office – 7450 East Point Douglas Road, Cottage Grove MN 55016.

11:00pm – Clues will be posted on Nate Pica-Anderson’s State Farm Facebook Page – QR Code provided

Cottage Grove Strawberry Fest Facebook Page – QR Code provided

2026 Strawberry Fest Medallion Official Rules:

The 2026 Strawberry Fest Medallion will be hidden in a city-owned Cottage Grove park. These spaces are open to the public from 6 AM – 10:30 PM. Searching should be conducted during regular park hours.

The 2026 Strawberry Fest Medallion hunt is open to all. Hunter under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult to claim the prize.

Search high, search low, please do not destroy, dig, or damage property or natural resources that are in the parks. The City of Cottage Grove or Strawberry Fest reserves the right to cancel the medallion hunt if vandalism occurs.

The 2026 Strawberry Fest Medallion will not be hidden underground or under skating surfaces; nor will it require the need for special equipment to find.

All participants agree that the City of Cottage Grove, Cottage Grove Strawberry Fest and Nate Pica-Anderson’s State Farm will be held harmless and will have no liability for participants that incur injuries, losses, or damage sustained while participating in the hunt.

Employees of the Nate Pica-Anderson’s State Farm and immediate family members are not eligible to win prizes.

If the 2026 Strawberry Fest Medallion is not found by 4:00p.m. on Sunday, June 21, 2026, Nate Pica-Anderson’s State Farm and Cottage Grove Strawberry Fest reserves the right to discontinue the hunt.

When the Medallion is found, the Lucky Hunter must take a picture of the location where the medallion was found wearing your Strawberry Fest button if you possess one – If during business hours of 9 AM – 5 PM please call Nate’s Office at 651-365-2343. If after 5 PM – Please call 651-260-1881. If found on the weekend, please call 651-260-1881.

Winner will be publicly identified by Name and photo's will be published on social media. winner will be met by representatives from both Nate Pica-Anderson of State Farm and a Cottage Grove Strawberry Fest Committee Member for photos and check presentation.

Further directions will be given to the Lucky Hunter once it is found! Lucky Hunting!

If during business hours of 9 AM – 5 PM, please call Nate’s Office at 651-365-2343. If after 5 PM – Please call 651-260-1881. If found on the weekend, please call 651-260-1881.

Further direction will be given to the Lucky Hunter!

Good afternoon everyone! The 2026 Strawberry Fest Medallion was found late this morning right as the rain started to come down by Leigh & Dan Michaud!! 

The Medallion was located at Glacial Valley Park behind the Baseball field in Right field at the base of one of the three small pine trees covered by pine needles.

We hope that everyone had fun this year and it sounded like a lot of people were very close to it today!

We will post a recap of their experience of the Hunt for the 2026 Strawberry Fest Medallion, and we invite you to post about your experience! We would love to hear from you as we always shoot for this experience to be fun and engaging - We are insurance people so always looking to learn and be better next year!

I will also post the final 2 clues that would have come out Saturday and Sunday as I typically get asked 

We hope that everyone has a fun and safe weekend and that you all attend the Cottage Grove Strawberry Fest 2026 Festival! 

Have a great weekend everyone and we are so Happy to be a part of this community!

Nate & Team
 
Leigh and Dan came into this year’s hunt with a clear strategy — four years of experience meant they had a running list of every park used in previous hunts, systematically eliminating locations as they went. Day one left them with little direction, as the early clue was vague. By day two, Leigh dove into the history of the area, uncovering that Glacier Park had been shaped by glacial activity and that the Saint Croix River once flowed through the region. That research pulled them toward Glacial Valley Park, where they spent significant time searching alongside dozens of other determined hunters.
The final days of the hunt zeroed in on Hamlet Park’s ball fields, but it was a clue referencing a “diamond” and the idea that flies — but not pitchers or catchers — belong in the outfield that shifted their thinking. Leigh reasoned the hiding spot had to be along the first or third baseline. Following that instinct, she walked the first baseline, noticed a cluster of three pine trees, and spotted something glinting near the ground. After getting down on her hands and knees, she uncovered the medallion tucked beneath the pine straw at the base of the trees.
At the moment of the find, the park was swarming with searchers — nearly 60 people were combing the baseball field at once, with kids even attempting to lift bases. After the discovery, the excitement spilled over as other hunters gathered around, wanting to see and touch the medallion they’d all been chasing. Leigh and Dan walked away with the prize, crediting persistence, local history research, and four years of hard-won pattern recognition as the keys to their win.
Congrats again guys!!!

Hunt Information

Dates

Scheduled Dates

Monday, June 15, 2026

Find Date

Friday, June 19, 2026

Finders

Name

Leigh Michaud

Name

Dan Michaud

Prize

Maximum Prize

$250

Awarded Prize

$250

Location

General Location

Glacial Valley Park

Pinpointed Location

Behind the Baseball Field in Right Field

Concealer

Covered in Pine Needles

44.856258, -92.905264

Clues

Clue 1

Published Date

Monday, June 15, 2026, 9:00 AM

Time and weather leave their mark,

From dawn’s first light to after dark.

The medallion waits without a sound,

Upon familiar public ground.

Clue Rating

Clue 2

Published Date

Tuesday, June 16, 2026, 9:00 AM

Many paths may cross your mind,

Yet only one is yours to find.

The answer rests where open skies

Look down upon recreations’ prize.

Clue Rating

Clue 3

Published Date

Wednesday, June 17, 2026, 9:00 AM

You’ll find no need for skates or courts,

No playground fun to wear your shorts.

Instead of aces on your first try,

Think of a place where leather flies.

Clue Rating

Clue 4

Published Date

Thursday, June 18, 2026, 9:00 AM

A treasure waits where time is young,

Though years have passed for old and strong.

Seek not the places long renowned,

But where newer footprints mark the ground.

Clue Rating

Clue 5

Published Date

Friday, June 19, 2026, 9:00 AM

In the Valley of ice, seek your prize,

Where summers games draw eager eyes.

A girl’s best friend points you on your way,

But not where pitchers or catchers stay.

Clue Rating

Clue 6

Beyond the outfields grassy spread,

Where fewer wandering feet have tread,

Toward right fields edge, keep looking near,

The hiding place is growing clear.

Clue Rating

Clue 7

Three trees stand beside the field,

A final secret they do conceal,

Near the trunk of one you’ll see,

The medallion waiting patiently

Clue Rating