2015 Winter Rec Fest Medallion has been found

Rick Gardner won $500 for finding medallion in Riverside Park

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) — The Winter Rec Fest Medallion was found by Rick Gardner in Riverside Park under the steps of the flood gauge on the south end of the park, the La Crosse Parks and Recreation Department announced Tuesday evening. Gardner won $500.

Gardner said he had a pretty good idea where the medallion was hiding after the 7th clue was released. And after a couple hours of searching, his intuition proved him right.

“I didn’t know exactly where it was,” Gardner said. “I knew when the clue came up with something with the plates or Maine, I knew the plates on the cannon down at Riverside Park are from the U.S.S. Maine so I knew it was in Riverside Park I just didn’t know where.”

Below you’ll see the list of clues and their meaning. There are several hints in each clue. Within each clue there are references to people, who have entertained at nearby Riverfest or the La Crosse Center.

Clue #1:
La Crosse’s first medallion hunt of 2015
And Winter Rec Fest has the honor to host.
Hope you’re able to fill in the blanks.
If so, you’ll be able to boast.

Meaning: “first” refers to old First Logic building  “Hope” refers to Bob Hope    “Blanks” refers to Bill Blank’s Airshow

Clue #2:
A field used in a traditional season
And trees, but not overwhelming and thick.
There are places to sit … in fact quite a few.
But which spot? That’s the trick.

Meaning: “field…season” refers to Rick Springfield   trees and benches in the park   “trick” refers to Cheap Trick

Clue #3:
A magical wand and abracadabra…
The association might be clear.
Now find 40,000 pounds of something…
The application will bring you near.

Meaning:  “wand” refers to hypnotist Jim Wand     “The Association” rock group     the Hiawatha statue weighs approximately 20 tons or “40,000 pounds”     “application” refers to SAP (Systems, Applications & Products), which is housed in nearby office building

Clue #4:
Not within La Crosse’s limits in early days.
Now citizens and visitors are here.
Think of a place where Peyton plays
And something big, moving and blue once a year.

Meaning:  “in early days” the medallion would have been under Mississippi water   “visitors” refers to nearby Visitors & Convention Center office   “Peyton” plays in Denver, which refers to John Denver    “big, moving and blue” refers to the Big Blue Dragon boat races  

Clue #5:
Classrooms and churches offer blues this year
And forget about any middle ground.
Hunt the edges to be successful…
With a reference to the state of Maine to be found.

Meaning: first two lines indicate where not to look and Moody “Blues”     third line says to look on city borders    park cannon markers were made from the hull of the USS Maine, which was sunk in Cuba

Clue #6:
Where judge’s gavels pounded in our community past.
The tie-in plain to see.
There are hydrants and places to park
And words you can’t say on TV.

Meaning:  first line refers to the old courthouse…marble from it was used to construct the park fountain

“hydrants” and lots of street “parking” last line refers to an old George Carlin premise

Clue #7:
A Ford once nearby, but Studdebakers much closer.
And siblings, but just one son.
A strolling lady with a traditional necklace
And places to walk or run.

Meaning: President “Ford” campaigned nearby   “Studdebaker” 7 entertained    “siblings” refers to nearby 4 Sisters eatery    “one son” refers to Raddison    third line refers to nearby Pearl Street Walkway   last line mentions joggers and walkers in park

The last three clues were not released yet, but here they are with their meaning:

Clue #8
Babysitting two Max’s and add one more.
You see…each clue has a common link.
Now find a building where no one works
With a marker to help you think.

Meaning: “Max” is the most common dog name…”add one more” and you get a Three Dog Night   third and fourth line refers to small flood marker building

Clue #9
A park to the west and a long way from the bluff.
The eye line is better if you’re small.
No dogs allowed in your step-by-step hunt.
But get help from Diana, Andy and Paul.

Meaning: “park to the west” across the river is Pettibone Park   second line indicates the medallion is just a few feet off the ground on the “steps”   “Diana” Ross, “Andy” Williams and “Paul” Anka

Clue #10
Wings, swine and a cat that can’t hear!
Three clues in one line.  What a hoot!
A riverside gauge is your final location.
But before 11 P.M. or you’ll get the boot!

Meaning: “wings” refers to eagle statue  “swine” refers to Piggy’s   “cat with no ears” refers to Def Leppard   “riverside” Park    again, a reference to “step” where the medallion is attached    last line refers to the park hours