First medallion to be hidden Friday; yes, Friday!
The Wilmington Chamber's medallion hunt is gearing up for Catfish Days with a few new twists.
There will be six acrylic medallions worth a combined $1,275 in prize money hidden this year. That's double the number of big medallions usually offered. In addition, there will be over $500 in prizes given away in the form of paper medallions.
The 2013 medallions, which were not found, will be back with three new ways to search for them. The 2013 Berkot's Super Foods prize, worth $250 in chamber gift certificates, will be offered by geocache coordinates made available from sponsoring businesses beginning July 25. A complete list of those sponsors will be found at www.wilmingtonilchamber.org and published in the Prairie Shopper July 21 and this publication July 23.
Sponsoring businesses will post the coordinates in their stores; check their social media sites for updates.
To help build excitement early, the first medallion, 2013 Willy Whiskers, will be hidden Saturday, July 19. The clue to find the medallion worth $50 in certificates will be posted on the Chamber's Facebook page and sponsors will be sending it out on social media. You may want to go "like" as many as member businesses as possible to get a jump on the hunt - they're listed on the Chamber website.
The 2013 Mudder of All Catfish medallion, worth $125, has been designated as a challenge medallion. Head to a challenge sponsor, complete a simple task, like stack red cups in a pyramid, hula hoop for 60 seconds or have someone in your party ride a small tricycle around cones, and participants will be handed an entry for every person in their party for a drawing for that medallion. The more who show up in your party the better your odds for winning.
The challenges will take place during normal business hours on the Friday of Catfish Days. Some of the challenge locations will be open Saturday too.
The drawing will take place on Tuesday, July 29.
The 2014 medallions, including the $500 D'Orazio Ford medallion, $250 Mudder of all Catfish and $100 Willy Whiskers will be hidden over Catfish Days; July 25, 26 and 27. The paper medallions, each worth $5 in offers at sponsoring businesses, will be hidden on the same days throughout the community.
As in the past, to get help in the hunt for 2014 medallions, visit sponsoring businesses and pick up a clue. There will be different clues offered at various stores.
No purchase is necessary to participate. All disks will be hidden within the city limits, on public property, which includes, but is not limited to city buildings, parkways, schools, playgrounds, parking lots and parks. There will be no need to trespass, get wet, climb or dig. Medallions will be hidden Friday, Saturday and/or Sunday during Catfish Days. The grand prize medallions could be hidden on any given day.
Bring acrylic medallions to The Free Press Advocate office at 111 S. Water St. to claim your prize.
Watch for more details in the Free Press Newspapers and chamber website.
