The Hunt Is On: McGregor Medallion Hunt Returns for 2026

MCGREGOR, Minn.—One of Wild Rice Days’ most anticipated traditions is back! The 2026 McGregor Wild Rice Days Medallion Hunt invites residents and visitors of all ages to put their detective skills to the test as they follow a series of clues leading to a hidden medallion somewhere within the McGregor area. The hunt is designed to showcase the community’s rich history, local businesses and scenic landmarks while encouraging participants to explore everything that makes the area unique.

A new clue will guide hunters closer to the prize, rewarding those who pay close attention to details, think creatively and work together. The medallion is hidden in a safe, publicly accessible location, and participants are reminded that no digging, climbing or damage to property is necessary to find it.

The Medallion Hunt has become one of Wild Rice Days’ most cherished traditions, creating memories that span generations. In 2005, Donny and Penny Fiester ended a two-year search by solving the famous “needle in a haystack” clue and locating the medallion hidden beneath the entrance ramp at Timeless Treasures Quilt Shop. Their persistence earned them the $700 prize and cemented their place in Wild Rice Days history.
The tradition continued in 2008 when Cheryl Sorensen and Melanie Amundson successfully decoded the clues to claim the medallion, proving once again that teamwork and careful observation were the keys to victory.

Seven years later, in 2015, Sarah Wencl, along with her daughter Elyssa, son Cooper and friends Katheryn DeMenge and Greg McDowall, became just the third winner in a 12-year span. Wencl dedicated a little time each day to studying the clues, eventually realizing she had been searching in the correct area for weeks. References to a clock, an unpleasant odor from nearby dumpsters, the Eye Care Center, dental office, Thrifty White roof and the veterinary clinic finally led her to a narrow passageway behind the veterinary clinic and Subway, where she uncovered the $1,100 medallion beside an old black utility box once used by Federated Coop.

Wencl proved her treasure-hunting skills were no fluke. In 2017, she successfully deciphered the clues once again, becoming the Medallion Hunt’s first repeat champion and earning another $500 prize.

The most recent Medallion Hunt champion came in 2019, when Sarah Johnson found the hidden medallion. McGregor Area Chamber Director Kari Horbacz presented Johnson with a $500 check, adding her name to the distinguished list of Wild Rice Days Medallion Hunt winners before the tradition went on hiatus.

Now, after several years, the hunt returns for a new generation of treasure seekers. The next winner will join a select group of Medallion Hunt champions whose determination, teamwork and ability to decipher clever clues have become part of Wild Rice Days lore.
The first clue to begin the 2026 McGregor Wild Rice Days Medallion Hunt is:

Welcome to McGregor, where the timber meets the shore,
Grab a coffee in town and prepare to explore!
Before you head north toward the big open lake,
Fuel up on supplies—there’s a journey to make.

Study each clue carefully, think beyond the obvious and enjoy the adventure. The Medallion Hunt is about more than finding a prize—it’s about exploring the McGregor community, discovering its history and creating lasting memories with family and friends.


Will your name be the next added to the list of Wild Rice Days Medallion Hunt winners? The search begins now.