2026 LaCrosse Oktoberfest Medallion Hunt

Submitted by Administrator on Sat, 09/12/2026 - 10:00 AM

The Oktoberfest USA Medallion Hunt is sponsored by Emerj360. One clue per day will be issued starting Monday, September 14, 2026. Clues are posted on the Oktoberfest USA Facebook and Instagram at approximately 7 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 2026 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 14, 2026

Find Date

Thursday, September 17, 2026

Finders

Name

Lucy and Friends

Prize

Maximum Prize

$500 Plus Souvenir Medallion

Awarded Prize

$500 Plus Souvenir Medallion

Location

General Location

Upper Hixon parking Lot

Pinpointed Location

Adjacent to the National Weather Service Weather Ball

Concealer

Under a Buike Rack

43.82291, -91.190975

Clues

Published Date

Monday, September 14, 2026, 7:00 AM

Once again, we’ve turned the calendar to September,
Which means there are certain sleuthing skills to remember;
For six decades-plus the Oktoberfest Medallion Hunt has created excitement across the area,
Giving hope to thousands searching from the Bluffs to Bavaria.

The official meaning of the clue.

A general statement announcing the start of the Oktoberfest Medallion hunt.

Clue Rating

Clue 2

Published Date

Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 7:00 AM

Crisp, comfortable temps are on the way,
Sweatshirts and Bavarian jackets in the morning, but shorts and lederhosen by midday;
Nestled in the unglaciated Driftless Area we proudly call the Coulee Region,
Soon, the bluffs will transform into a red, orange and yellow cohesion.

The official meaning of the clue.

The clue points to the upcoming fall weather that will soon be taking over the region. It describes the area surrounding the hiding spot, along with hinting weather playing a part in the location.

Clue Rating

Clue 3

Published Date

Wednesday, September 16, 2026, 7:00 AM

With nicknames relating to colors, natives and fowl over the years,
Took leadership in projects for kids and stretched the bluffs’ frontiers;
Joined by 10 prominent builders who continue to leave their mark,
They teamed together to provide a championship spark.

The official meaning of the clue.

The clue highlights numerous efforts spearheaded by UW-La Crosse Athletics, such as Kids Coulee and the Building Champions Trail. The athletic teams have held monikers of Indians, Roonies (maroon) and Eagles. In 2016, the Athletic Department teamed up with 10 area businesses in the building profession to building a 2.13-mile trail in Hixon Forest called the Building Champions Trail. The trail leads to other paths where the medallion is hidden.

Clue Rating

Clue 4

Published Date

Thursday, September 17, 2026, 7:00 AM

Eventually the coulee’s colorful hues turn to browns and grays,
Often no peek of the sun for many days;
Daily temps in the 20s and teens,
Shoveling snow and salting ice often dominate the daily routines.

The official meaning of the clue.

Next up is the region’s winter weather. It points to the weather as a key, along with the soon to be forecasts the area will be seeing. The open landscape is also a hint to the area.

Clue Rating