2015 Little Canada Canadian Days Hunt

This clue introduces the hunt, mentions some highlights of the festival, and points out a couple of rules. As for actual hints, the word “explore” suggests the pioneer spirit and thus Pioneer Park. “foresee” partially alludes to “four see” and the four baseball fields. More specifically it also alludes to the four C’s of diamonds – cut, clarity, color, and carat, again suggesting the four baseball diamonds, with the treasure lying on the edge of one of them. “Adamant” which has an alternate meaning of a hard crystalline carbon structure also hints at a diamond. Also, "hot on the trail" refers to the walking trail that goes by the hiding spot of the medallion.

The terms “deck” and “trump” suggest the game of Bridge, while a “deck” is also part of a bridge. There is a bridge near the hiding spot and crossing over it will get you closer to the medallion, but not quite there. “Electricity in the air” refers to the stadium light near the hiding spot. “Clarity” is a term used in connection with diamonds, again hinting at the baseball diamond and diamonds are also a suit in a deck of cards. Finally, the first letter of each line spells “Ahuntsic” which is actually a neighborhood in Montreal, a reference to the nearby Montreal Courts apartment complex.

“Parking” is a clue that it’s actually in a park, as well as a clue that the park has a parking lot. It also refers to the free shuttle running during the festival that runs between Pioneer and Spooner. “A place to play ball” refers to the many types of ball fields at Pioneer Park. The arrows at the end of the last line are called carats, and carat is another measure of a diamond, again alluding to the baseball diamonds specifically.

The first two lines again suggest a pioneer, alluding to the park. “Far from home” also specifically alludes to the outfield fence of a baseball diamond, under which the treasure was hidden. “Sweet” and “meat” are food references which hint at the small picnic shelter near the hiding place. “Cut” is also a measure of a diamond, reinforcing the previous references.

“Bend it Like Beckham” is a soccer movie which alludes to David Beckham. In this case it refers to David Ct in the north and the soccer field in the south. If you draw a straight line between them, the treasure will be near that line. “Among the first in the field” is another Pioneer reference as well as a reference to the baseball field. There are four fields, basically dividing the park into quadrants. Which is the right one? “Any”, or rather “NE” meaning the Northeast field. And “Color” is the last of the four measures of a diamond, completing the baseball diamond hint. Also, “clear” is the color of the new medallion this year.

The home run reference is a clue that the medallion is hidden under an outfield fence. It is covered with diamond dust stuck to Silly Putty and hence “dusty”. There is a path near the hiding spot and the bath reference alludes to the nearby pond which should in turn indicate the NE ball field is the right one as it is the only one by water.