2018 LaCrosse Oktoberfest Medallion Hunt

Submitted by Administrator on Fri, 09/07/2018 - 1:15 PM

Coulee region “sleuths” will have their opportunity to match wits with the “cluemaster” as the 2018 Oktoberfest USA Medallion Hunt begins Monday, September 17.

The Oktoberfest USA Medallion Hunt is sponsored by Altra Federal Credit Union .

One clue per day will be issued starting September 17. Clues will be posted on the Oktoberfest USA web site (www.oktoberfestusa.com – look for the medallion hunt page) at approximately 6 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 miniature replica medallion, compliments of Satori Arts.

The back side of the medallion includes a contact name and number to report that it has been found.

Medallion Hunt rules are similar to previous years. The 2018 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

Oktoberfest USA requests that all medallion hunters respect public and private property (as well as their fellow hunters) while trying to locate the medallion. Good luck.

As the saying goes "everything happens for a reason." The Altra Federal Credit Union Medallion hunt concluded today at Oktoberfest USA, and that statement is very fitting for the family who discovered the Medallion. Father and son team, Michael Kirschbaum Sr. and Michael Kirschbaum Jr. went in search of the Medallion as a part of a time-honored family tradition. A tradition that started with early mornings before school and nights after school where Michael Jr. would set out in search of the treasured medallion with his mother, Bridget. In November of 2017 Bridget passed away, and the family vowed to continue the tradition in her honor. The clues for 2018 were indeed, a bit easier than they had been in previous years.

Through an internal error, the clues were posted in order of explanation instead of rhyme. Michael Sr. stated, "We had a feeling something was different, but it just seemed as if it was meant to be. She was with us this year and made sure we found it together." Oktoberfest USA apologizes to our many Medallion hunt sleuths for the nature of the hunt this year, and we look forward to returning to the mysterious rhyming clues in 2019.

We are honored to celebrate family traditions with the Kirschbaum's in 2018 and look forward to presenting them with the Medallion replica and award.

Hunt Information

Dates

Scheduled Dates

Monday, September 17, 2018

Find Date

Wednesday, September 19, 2018

Finders

Name

Michael Kirschbaum Sr.

Name

Michael Kirschbaum Jr.

Prize

Maximum Prize

$500 plus a replica medallion

Location

General Location

Hixon Forest

Pinpointed Location

Along the Bicentennial/Wood Duck Trails

Concealer

In the V of a Tree on the trail

43.819584, -91.210616

Clues

Clue 1

Published Date

Sunday, September 16, 2018, 7:00 PM

Grab your shoes and hat — get ready to toast,
It’s that time of year for Polka, Pretzels & Prost!
Stop, look and listen for signs of fall,
The medallion hunt is ready for all.

The official meaning of the clue.

The hunt for 2018 is underway. The shoes point to a walking path. The medallion is hidden in a picturesque area.

Clue Rating

Clue 2

Published Date

Monday, September 17, 2018, 7:00 PM

Landscape architect John Nolan worked the plan,
Predicting it would become the best among man;
The four men of public spirit and great ability,
Saw that there would be funding for each and every tree.

The official meaning of the clue.

Park planner John Nolan’s efforts, along with those by four men on the park board, point to a park, hinting toward Grandad Bluff.

Clue Rating

Clue 3

Published Date

Tuesday, September 18, 2018, 7:00 PM

A farm machinery background he had,
Then started his own implement fad;
For more than four decades held an alderman’s seat;
In the ’50s given his own area not so discreet.

The official meaning of the clue.

William P. Roellig, who worked at Allis Chalmers, started his own machinery making business, La Crosse Plow Co., and also served on the city council. In 1951 the city named a triangular green space at the intersection of Hwy. 16 and La Crosse Street for him. The medallion is near this area of the city.

Clue Rating

Clue 4

The perfect mode between steamers and planes,
Only two main lines is all that remains;
The downtown stop that eventually moved from the west,
Streamlined for beauty and comfort making it the best

The official meaning of the clue.

Trains are referenced, with more fine-tuning to the area on the western edge of Forest Hills Golf Course where the train depot for Burlington Northern used to stand.

Clue Rating

Clue 5

A gas can, two college students and a bunch of brush,
Up the hill they went and started a blaze in a rush;
Over the years the fire snuffed out but still burns bright,
Moved south and still welcomes students at night.

The official meaning of the clue.

The “Lighting of the ‘L’” tradition at UW-La Crosse started in fall 1935 when Class of 1937 roommates F. Clark Carnes and Bernie Brown ran up Miller’s Bluff and ignited a large brush pile in the shape of an “L.” The tradition has lived on over the years with a lighted “L” shinning on Grandad Bluff, originally during the university’s Homecoming and now when students return to campus in the fall. These two bluffs are in the direction when the medallion is hidden.

Clue Rating

Clue 6

One of the biggest icons for the city,
No matter the season it’s seen as pretty;
Chipped away, people worried it would be eventually gone,
Gifted to the public it soon gained local lexicon.

The official meaning of the clue.

Grandad Bluff, saved from limestone quarrying by Ellen Hixon who purchased the land, remains the city’s main icon more than 100 years later. It’s a beacon for the hiding spot. Also, the family name, Hixon, is key.

Clue Rating

Clue 7

Roots dating way back to the century mark,
Helped many early local sports enthusiasts embark;
The country scene reigned for a very long time,
Later enlarged once it became in the public’s prime.

The official meaning of the clue.

The golf course in the city limits dates back to 1900 when the La Crosse Country Club was formed. The club remained at the site until 1994 when it reverted to a public course. The medallion is located in this area.

Clue Rating

Clue 8

A lumbering waterfowl along the way,
Keep the skiers, skaters and shoe-ers at bay;
A patriotic spirit will help in the search,
Stay the course and don’t get left in a lurch.

The official meaning of the clue.

The Wood Duck Trail that lies along the north side of the course, has signs for cross country skiing and snowshoeing. The merged trail includes the Bicentennial name. It leads to the hiding spot.

Clue Rating

Clue 9

An attorney could assist you on the path,
Follow words of wisdom to keep you from wrath;
Another spot can keep you hot on the trail,
Stay in between and you won’t suffer betrayal.

The official meaning of the clue.

A bench along the path is dedicated in memory of Attorney RW (Dick) Schroeder with words from the book of Samuel. Another bench east of this bench memorializes Clarice “Hotsy” Mashak. Stay between these two and you’ll be close to the medallion.

Clue Rating

Clue 10

You’ve come this far and where can it be,
Look carefully searching tree after tree;
Q, R, S, T, U, W, X, Y, Z,
Find the missing letter and there she’ll be.

The official meaning of the clue.

The medallion is located in the “V” of a tree along this path.

Clue Rating