Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce

Pekin Marigold Festival

MEDALLION HUNT

What is the Pekin Marigold Festival Medallion Hunt?

"A Community Obsession"

Every year at the end of August, Pekin’s amateur detectives and determined sleuths prepare for the Pekin Marigold Festival Medallion Hunt.  They pit their interpretive skills against the Medallion Hunt Cluemeister who has carefully hidden the small disc somewhere on public property, releasing “clues” on a daily basis. The clues carry double-meaning, veiled references, and carefully disguised hints all designed to bring out the “DaVinci Code” enthusiast in us all.

Families, friends, co-workers and even neighborhoods collaborate in an attempt to discover the Medallion’s hidden location.  The finder will discover that a very nice prize –  a $1,500 cash- awaits the winner, courtesy of our generous friends at Jimmy John’s.  But, as history has shown, it is the excitement of being the one person who “has figured it all out” that often represents the greatest prize of all.

Marigold Medallion 2026

The hunt always commences the Monday before Labor Day.  Clues are released Monday through Friday at 12:00 noon and then on Saturday at 6:30am. If the medallion hasn’t been found, another clue will be released at 6:30 on Labor Day.  If still not discovered, clues will continue being released daily at noon beginning on Tuesday.

Remember that the Medallion will be found on PUBLIC PROPERTY within or contiguous to city boundaries, or owned by a Pekin Public body.  Hunters do not need to dig up or climb up to find the Medallion.  It may be carefully camouflaged or hidden within something easily accessible and not requiring disassembly.   The chosen hiding place is always selected with safety and accessibility given the highest consideration.  Please also see the disclaimer and the frequently asked questions below for further information.

Good Luck and Happy Hunting!

The official disclaimer for the 2026 Pekin Marigold Festival Medallion Hunt – Changes have been made due to the unintended destruction of property in recent years.  Please be attentive and protective of all property.
 
The Pekin Marigold Festival Medallion WILL be found on PUBLIC property—either within or contiguous to city boundaries, or property owned by a Pekin public body. 
 
It is NOT hidden in any seasonal plantings or landscaping in Mineral Springs Park or elsewhere, on any golf course, inside the PCHS stadium’s fenced area, inside the Dragonland fenced area, inside any school facility, or on the property of the Pekin Archery Range, Pekin Municipal Airport, or the UAW High rise.  While it might be hidden on school property, it will not be hidden in shrubs, bushes, or plantings immediately against the schools. The Medallion is NOT hidden within the landscaping at the Pekin Public Library or in close proximity to the Pekin Federal Prison’s perimeter fence. 
 
Hunters do not need to dig up or climb up to find the Medallion. It may be carefully camouflaged or hidden within something easily accessible and not requiring disassembly. The chosen hiding place is always selected with safety and accessibility given the highest consideration. 
 
Finally, be on the watch for Poison Ivy and Poison Oak, and PLEASE, be respectful of others’ property as well as your fellow hunters. 
 
For the latest clue or updates, please visit our  Pekin Marigold Festival Facebook page. – Good luck!
Will the medallion be found in a seasonal planting (flower bed) in Mineral Springs Park?
No, the Pekin Marigold Festival Medallion will not be hidden in ANY seasonal planting in the Pekin Park District or on any other property.
 

Will the medallion be found inside a public building?
No, the Pekin Marigold Festival Medallion will not be hidden inside a building.

How do I know if the medallion has been found? 
The Pekin Marigold Festival Facebook page will be updated when the medallion has been found. 

Medallion History

1978

Winner(s): Robert & Diana Crosier
Clue Master: Dave Tebben
Location: After 1st clue, 2 released – inside bell at City Hall

1979

Winner(s): Richard & Patricia Flanders
Clue Master: Dave Tebben
Location: After 3rd clue – hole of tree trunk near coal mine train at Mineral Springs Park

1980

Winner(s): Cliff Towne
Clue Master: Dave Tebben
Location: PCHS East Campus

1981

Winner(s): Mrs. Wilmer Nall
Clue Master: Dave Tebben
Location: Under tortoise in kids’ playground at Mineral Springs Park

1982

Winner(s): Bill & Janet Hurt
Clue Master: Dave Tebben
Location: After 2nd clue – Washington Intermediate School

1983

Winner(s): Wilma Swing & Evelyn Palmer
Clue Master: Dave Tebben
Location: McNaughton Park

1984

Winner(s): Connie Milburn
Clue Master: Dave Tebben
Location: Base of tree in wooded area between Parkway Drive & tennis courts near Lick Creek Clubhouse

1985

Winner(s): Dawn Morsch
Clue Master: Ray Dennison Chevrolet
Location: McNaughton Park

1986

Winner(s): Jerry Oary, Jr. from Sunnyland
Clue Master: Ray Dennison Chevrolet
Location: Municipal parking lot across the street from City Hall (Didn’t even know what it was!)

1987

Winner(s): Steve & Jane Heberer & Alan Ford
Clue Master: Ray Dennison Chevrolet
Location: Tot Lot on Park Avenue

1988

Winner(s): Mark, Becky & Breanne Beasley & Michelle Davison
Clue Master: Gary Gillis
Location: Tante Park

1989

Winner(s): David & Janet Horner
Clue Master: Gary Gillis
Location: In a tree by Livestock Building at Mineral Springs Park

1990

Winner(s): Ken Decker
Clue Master: Gary Gillis
Location: McNaughton Park

1991

Winner(s): Jim & Dinah Layne
Clue Master: Gary Gillis
Location: Tied to fir tree behind Pekin Tech Ed Center

1992

Winner(s): Bob Farden & Vince Byers
Clue Master: Gary Gillis
Location: Behind a wall at Memorial Arena

1993

Winner(s): Jeff Heilman (11 yrs. old)
Clue Master: Gary Gillis
Location: Mineral Springs Park by maintenance shed

1994

Winner(s): Jason McArdle, Jay Emery, Jonathon Ronna
Clue Master: Gary Gillis
Location: In a creek bed in Dirksen Park – (3 PCHS Seniors)

1995

Winner(s): Bryce Armstrong (14 yrs. old)
Clue Master: Gary Gillis
Location: By a tree in Coal Miners’ Park

1996

Winner(s): Ed, Sharon, Anna, & Ellen Freidinger
Clue Master: Gary Gillis
Location: In a tree behind Broadmoor School

1997

Winner(s): Joe & Laura Fardel & Kevin & Tonya Phillips
Clue Master: Gary Gillis
Location: Dog Training Area off Parkway Drive

1998

Winner(s): Roberta Pullum
Clue Master: Gary Gillis
Location: Near creek bed at Kiwanis Park North

1999

Winner(s): Kevin Swisher & Brian Bush
Clue Master: Gary Gillis
Location: Behind Wilson School

2000

Winner(s): Pamela Bee
Clue Master: Gary Gillis
Location: North of main building at Mineral Springs Park

2001

Winner(s): Margaret Thomas & Diane Bruen
Clue Master: Gary Gillis
Location: McNaughton Park

2002 - 25th Hunt

Winner(s): Scott & Angela Jones
Clue Master: Gary Gillis
Location: In tall grass at south edge of Tante Park

2003

Winner(s): Tonya Phillips & Laura Fardel
Clue Master: Gary Gillis
Location: Pekin Business Park in area West of Hanna Steel

2004

Winner(s): Janet Look
Clue Master: Gary Gillis
Location: Bike trail off Allentown Road

2005

Winner(s): Kaci Zander & Rachel Ranney
Clue Master: Gary Gillis
Location: Back entrance of McNaughton Park off Sheridan Road

2006

Winner(s): Carol Tisdale & Mark Kraus
Clue Master: Gary Gillis
Location: Under a bush near State of IL Building downtown Pekin

2007

Winner(s): Angie Bumbalough
Clue Master: Gary Gillis
Location: Dog training area at McNaughton Park

2008

Winner(s): Scott & Angela Jones
Clue Master: Gary Gillis
Location: Southwest corner of Miller Center

2009

Winner(s): Justin Clark & Chet Strickfaden
Clue Master: Gary Gillis
Location: North side of Miller Center parking lot

2010

Winner(s): Carrie Westerfield
Clue Master: Gary Gillis
Location: Dirksen Park

2011

Winner(s): Christie Gray
Clue Master: Gary Gillis
Location: Kiwanis Park North

2012

Winner(s): Jon Flynn
Clue Master: Gary Gillis
Location: Soldwedel Program Center

2013

Winner(s): Jon & Sara Hessing
Clue Master: Gary Gillis
Location: Mineral Springs Park, Pavillion Porch lattice

2014

Winner(s): KateLynn Chriswell & Tyler Runyon
Clue Master: Gary Gillis
Location: Pekin Housing Authority office

2015

Winner(s): Carrie & Jason Helmig
Clue Master: Gary Gillis
Location: R.C. Flying Field

2016

Winner(s): Christine Gray
Clue Master: Gary Gillis
Location: Near cell tower north of Diamond #6 near 4-H Buildings

2017

Winner(s): Kyndall Zander & Seth Ranney & Todd Vansaghi
Clue Master: Gary Gillis
Location: McNaughton Park

2018

Winner(s): Angie & Patrick Bumbalough
Clue Master: Gary Gillis
Location: Trees just North of PCHS / Sledding Hill

2019

Winner(s): Trenda & Jeff Harrison
Clue Master: Gary Gillis
Location: Tree in Pekin Sports Complex

2020

Winner(s): Kyndall Zander, Todd Vansaghi, Jake Vansaghi, Seth Ranney, & Rachel Ranney
Clue Master: Gary Gillis
Location: Coal Miner’s Park

2021

Winner(s): Carrie Smith & Stacey Hayes
Clue Master: Gary Gillis
Location: Riverfront River Way sign

2022

Winner(s): Matthew Julien
Clue Master: Gary Gillis
Location: Dirksen Park

2023

Winner(s): Ozzie Herberger, Shelbi Woods, Gary Gillis, Forrest Williams, Joshua Herberger, & Jared Williams
Clue Master: Gary Gillis
Location: Bicycle Trail in Coal Miner’s Park

2024

Winner(s): Seth Ranney, Todd Vansaghi, Kyndall Zander, Jake Vansaghi, & Dawson Woll
Clue Master: Gary Gillis
Location: Tante Park

2025

Winner(s): Jared, Forrest, Stout & Hazel Williams, Robert Williams, Trey Mowder, & Brian Biggs
Clue Master: Gary Gillis
Location: McNaughton Park Pottawatomie Trail – Sheridan Road access.

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