Summerfest Medallion Hunt: Clues Explained!

Published Clues

Clue #1:

A brand-new committee has taken the reins,
     Summerfest is in such wonderful hands
OSCO volunteers plan many things for you
     Parade, food, 5k, food, fireworks, food and bands

A change in leadership at the city as well,
     A new city administrator will be running the show.
Gratitude and thanks to Christine for her service,
     She helped Oakdale plan, thrive and grow.

Seeking the medallion is fun for all ages,
     There’s no need to swim, climb or dig.
It is always disguised, not so easy to spot.
     And it’s still clear but not nearly as big.

Clue number 1 had the following references: Brand-new refers to the city’s newest park: Willowbrooke Commons. The variety of events and food offered for Summerfest refers to the many activities offered at the park as well as the variety of housing stock offered at Willowbrooke.

Change refers to the Willowbrooke development , new alignment of 40th Street and commercial businesses now open along County Road 14. All ages refers to the many things offered at the park. Spot refers to the Target spot area right inside the store. Target is only a few blocks from the park. Also, a spot/circle in Target’s bullseye logo.

Explanation

Clue #2:

In 2024 Oakdale celebrated 50 years,
     Middle age or just hitting our stride? 
An evolving, vibrant, innovative suburb,
     Brimming with community pride.

After all the years, still room to grow, 
     New things to do and seek.
Citywide and Summerfest too, 
     Improvements have yet to peak.

Speaking of change, bid the penny farewell 
     Round down or round up when you pay.
Kwik Trip has started, others as well,
     Even numbers that are close will make your day.

Clue number 2 uses the word “middle” in the second stanza and this refers to a a part located in the middle or central part of the city. “Brimming” is often used and associated with drinking coffee (as in the coffee cup is full to the brim). This year’s park is relatively close in proximity to the new Starbucks on the 4Front/Slumberland site. 

Within the 4Front business park, we also see the newer street, High Point Drive (high point = peak). The use of the word “round” in this clue refers to the new roundabout on 40th an Helmo. Kwik Trip provides more specifics that the medallion is not on either end, north or south, of the city. 

Finally, the use of the words “even numbers’ is in reference to the numbered streets all being even numbered near the park: 36th Street North, 38th Street North, Upper 38th Street North and 40th Street North

Clue #3:

It is common for the medallion to be in a park
     But sometimes that is just not the way
It’s best for the path to be one of direct,
     But meandering is a fun way to play

Last year it was south, this year north
    Last year it was west, this year east.
See public works? You are warm but not hot,
     But you’re in the right city at least

The Ted Bearth Grande Parade,
    Is grand indeed with a silent E
New this year, it’s Saturday at noon,
    Fun at Summerfest is a guarantee

Clue number 3 begins by suggesting the medallion may not be hidden in a park this year. However, this Is more a play on words as the park is actually referred to as Willowbrooke “Commons”. 

The meandering refers to the realignment of 40th street which previously ran straight east and west and now meanders between Ideal Avenue and I-694. The verse ends in the word play which once again points to a park. Last year south (of County Road 14) and this year north (of County Road 14). Last year west (of Helmo Avenue) and this year east (of Helmo Avenue. 

This clue’s reference to public works is actually referring to the Lake Elmo public works building on County 14 and Ideal Avenue which is why the last portion of the clue notes being in the right city. The note of the silent “E” connects with Willowbrooke’s similar silent “E”. The final note highlights the new date and time for the parade which has, historically, been on Thursday evening.

Clue #4:

Clever and sly under the cover of darkness
     The medallion is nestled in the ideal location.
Only the medallion hider knows the final place
     And completes the final clues and explanation

A near miss can cause sadness and tears
     Allow yourself space to see all around
First look in one place, then switch it up
     It could be above or closer to the ground

Intricate patterns, sweets and a suburb
     A woman in the area as well
A breeze from the south as you sit, walk or run
     Could it be joe that you smell?

The 4th clue is riddled with references: tears referring to weeping, as in weeping willow (Willowbrooke), space referring to the yet open and undeveloped space to the north of Willowbrooke Commons, Around referring to the roundabout, switch referring to the willow branch used back in the day for discipline. 

Intricate patterns refer to the street arrangement in Willowbrooke while the word sweet refers specifically to the street name of Heath (as in candy bar). Again, staying with the street name theme, suburb references the suburb of Hopkins which is the name of a street in the 4Font business park and woman refers to Lake Jane Trail in the adjacent city of Lake Elmo. Sit, walk or run are all options (benches, trails) in Willowbrooke. 

Finally, “joe” makes reference to the new Starbucks on County Road 14.

Clue #5: (unpublished)

40th and Henna, are you not there yet?
     Triple beating to that spot will be a wise bet
So many options and areas to pick
     Where in the Commons might the plastic disk fit?

Alas the pavilion is where you should be
     A magnetic attraction is what you won’t see
The stainless steel countertop will narrow the field
     Now down on your knees, it’s not well concealed

The 2026 clues would have a serious flaw
     It we failed to welcome the wonderful Kelli Bourgeois
She’ll step in just in time to experience Summerfest
    Give her a warm Oakdale welcome and extend her your best.

The 5th clue, as is always the case, directs medallion searchers directly to the location of the medallion. 40th and Henna clearly identifies Oakdale’s newest park, Willowbrooke Commons, as the location. 

Where might the plastic disc (the small plastic medallion) fit? This year the disc was wrapped between several layers of cardboard and that cardboard was, in turn, wrapped in black duct tape. The stainless steel countertop is located in the picnic pavilion and one of the braces supporting that countertop (the far western brace) is where the medallion was friction “fit” between the supporting brace and the concrete block wall. 

Searchers would need to be down on their hands and knees and looking in the small gap between the supporting brace and concrete block wall to see the package. Once in that position, the medallion, while wrapped in black duct tape would still be easy to see (not well concealed) and recognize that it did not belong with the brace. 

Lastly, as noted in clue #1, Oakdale’s current administrator, Christina Volkers, is retiring at the end of June. Therefore, we simultaneously thank Christina for her years of service and dedication to the city and proudly introduce our new city administrator, Kelli Bourgeois.