Festival Medallion Quest 2024 underway after first clue revealed

Charles Rankin, Salina Journal
·2 min read

The 2024 Smoky Hill River Festival Medallion Quest has kicked off with the first clue, "A timely institution," revealed Wednesday afternoon on the steps of the Smoky Hill Museum.

The quest encourages people to explore Salina while looking for the Festival Medallion — a custom-designed piece that is different each year — that is hidden on public property somewhere in the city.

In addition to the first clue, Medallion hunters will be given two clues each day, once at 7:30 a.m. and another at 4:30 p.m. from the west steps of the museum, 211 W. Iron Ave., until the Medallion is found.

Two members of the Salina Arts and Humanities Commission unveil the first clue for the 2024 Smoky Hill River Festival Medallion Quest. Prizes for finding the medallion include $1,000 cash and $2,000 in gift certificates to purchase art during the festival.
Two members of the Salina Arts and Humanities Commission unveil the first clue for the 2024 Smoky Hill River Festival Medallion Quest. Prizes for finding the medallion include $1,000 cash and $2,000 in gift certificates to purchase art during the festival.

Additionally, clues will be posted to www.festivalmedallionquest.com at the same time they are revealed at the museum.

“The Festival Medallion Quest is the perfect way to kick off the festival season,” said Salina Arts and Humanities director Brad Anderson. “Thousands of searchers get to see the town with new eyes as they interpret clues and get creative trying to find the Medallion.”

Where can the Festival Medallion be hidden?

The Festival Medallion will be hidden on public property somewhere within the city limits of Salina, which could include parks.

It won't be hidden at Kenwood Cove or in Oakdale Park, on private property or on Salina Airport Authority property and it doesn't require destruction of property to find it.

The medallion looks different each year and in the past has been made from materials such as wood, paper, clay, resin and plastic.

More: What city has 254 new apartments with basketball and pickleball courts? Salina in 2026.

What are the prizes for finding the Festival Medallion?

Taking part in the Festival Medallion Quest is free to the public, but participants must be 18 years or older to claim any prize, with this year includes the following:

  • $1,000 in cash.

  • $2,000 in Smoky Hill River Festival gift certificates, to be used for purchases in the Fine Art and Craft Show or Art/Craft Demonstration Area during the Festival weekend.

  • Four complimentary Festival admission wristbands.

  • One on-grounds Festival parking pass (weather permitting).

  • An invitation for four to attend the evening PREMIERE Art Patron Party on Thursday, June 13.

  • Four Smoky Hill River Festival T-shirts.

For more information about the Festival Medallion Quest or the Smoky Hill River Festival, call 785-309-5770, visit the medallion quest website, www.riverfestival.com or the festival Facebook page, www.facebook.com/SHRiverFestival.

This article originally appeared on Salina Journal: Smoky Hill River Festival Medallion Quest now underway