Clues
Published on Thursday, August 27, 2015
May I have everyone's attention briefly, if you please?
Explanation:
"obey all posted rules " is meant to suggest that hunters heed posted instructions—in this case, an envelope disguised as a "Trash" placard above a trash can between the Tree Care Advisor and Sustainability Stage exhibits at the State Fair's Eco Experience/Progress building.
"relax a while, enjoy the food and sun " is meant to suggest the numerous benches near the hiding spot for fairgoers to rest, while learning about and sampling healthy food options, and nearby solar energy demonstrations.
Clue #1 is the first to eliminate any locations—"No parking lot or livestock pen "—and lays the groundwork for odd-numbered clues to narrow down the field of hiding spots through the process of elimination.
Published on Friday, August 28, 2015
It could be tough to find the prize through sheer determination;
Explanation:
"use the process of elimination " is meant to suggest not only that hunters use the process of elimination to narrow down the field of potential hiding spots, but also that the treasure is disguised as a trash can placard.
"Buy the ticket, take the ride, and get a better view " is meant to suggest that the building in which the prize is hidden is somewhere in view of one of the fair's rides—in this case the SkyGlider, which runs North and South through the fairgrounds.
Published on Saturday, August 29, 2015
As we narrow down the search, and lead you toward the prize,
Explanation:
"As we narrow down the search, and lead you toward the prize " is meant to reinforce the "process of elimination" hunters should use to find the treasure.
"you can't always trust your eyes " is meant to suggest that, though the prize is hidden in plain sight, it is also disguised—in this case as a sign reading "Trash."
"X doesn't mark the spot " is meant to eliminate The X-Zone in the northern portion of the fairgrounds, as well as an area south of the Grandstand—through which two large pathways form a large 'X', visible from above, and on the official Minnesota State Fair map.
"And though it's mighty tempting, there's no need to go halfway " is meant to eliminate the Mighty Midway.
Published on Sunday, August 30, 2015
The prize is camouflaged from view, the way that we designed it,
Explanation:
"The prize is camouflaged from view, the way that we designed it " is meant to reinforce that the prize was made to fit into its surroundings.
"treasure map "/"app " are meant to suggest that hunters use the official Minnesota State Fair map or app to help them narrow down the field of potential hiding spots.
Published on Monday, August 31, 2015
Treasure hunters are almost always naturally resourceful,
Explanation:
This clue is meant to eliminate the Department of Natural Resources building and DNR park area ("naturally resourceful "), the West End Marketplace ("west end "), the Miracle of Birth Center ("miracle ") and the River Raft Ride ("creek ").
Published on Tuesday, September 1, 2015
Are fresh-cut french fries, vinegar, and ketchup what you crave?
Explanation:
The clue here lies in the third line: "...Jar and all ..." — The Eco Experience/Progress building is on Randall Avenue.
Published on Wednesday, September 2, 2015
No need to seek adventure, or political glad-handing;
Explanation:
This clue is meant to eliminate Adventure Park ("adventure "), politically-themed booths and buildings ("political glad-handing "), Carousel Park ("carousing "), the barns area ("barnstorming "), the Grandstand ("grandstanding "), the Butterfly House ("flutter by "), the Giant Slide ("slide "), the Fairchild statue ("carry a big stick "), and music-related stages, booths, and exhibits ("let the music play ").
"Speak softly, carry a big stick " also references Teddy Roosevelt's famous "Big Stick" speech, which he gave at the Minnesota State Fair on September 3 (the date of the clue's posting) in 1901.
Published on Thursday, September 3, 2015
One week down, five days to go; the fair is in full stride,
Explanation:
"treasure hid inside " is not only meant to suggest that the treasure is hidden inside of something—in this case an envelope disguised as a trash can placard—but also that the treasure is hidden indoors.
"Half a dozen decoys " is meant to suggest that, hidden throughout the Eco Experience, there are six trash can placards that appear nearly identical to the envelope hiding the treasure, while the word "decoy" is itself a quasi-decoy for "eco".
"path of victory " is meant to suggest Cosgrove Street. "Cosgrove" is an Irish variant on the Gaelic word for "triumphant" or "victorious."
"pitch in and do your part " is meant to suggest finding a trash or recycling receptacle—and an exhibit related to conservation and ecology.
The words "do your part " are also visible on a sign—for an organization called "Roots Minnesota"—adjacent to the hiding spot.
Published on Friday, September 4, 2015
"Against all odds" could be a phrase that might help you succeed,
Explanation:
"Against all odds " is meant to suggest hunters avoid locations mentioned in odd-numbered clues.
This clue is meant to eliminate the Fine Arts building ("arts "), the Agriculture Horticulture building ("culture ," "seed ," "crop "), the Creative Activities building ("creative "), the Administration buildings ("administrative "), the Dairy building ("cream "), the International Bazaar ("bizarre "), and nudge hunters toward the northern portion of the fairgrounds ("on top ")
Published on Saturday, September 5, 2015
Who doesn't love a good parade?—the crowd's expectant thrum,
Explanation:
This clue is meant to suggest that the treasure is hidden in a building on both the fair's parade and trolley routes ("parade ," "roots ," "trolley ").
"roots " is also meant to suggest the nearby "Roots Minnesota" sign.
"thrown away all of the odds " is meant to reinforce that the treasure is hidden somewhere near a trash or recycling receptacle, and that locations from odd-numbered clues may be discarded.
Published on Sunday, September 6, 2015
At this point, odds are good you've crossed off nearly half the map:
Explanation:
"At this point, odds are good " is meant to suggest that the pattern of eliminating locations from odd-numbered clues does not apply to Clue #11.
"progress " and "experience " are meant to suggest searching the Eco Experience/Progress building.
"One man's trash—another's treasure " is meant to suggest searching trash can placards for one marked "Treasure" on the obverse.
Published on Monday, September 7, 2015
Here at the end of this hunt on a stick, you'd be smart to think green.
Explanation:
"on a stick " is meant to suggest that the treasure is, in fact, attached to a stick.
"think green " is meant to suggest not only that the treasure is hidden at the Eco Experience, but also that the trash can placards hunters are looking for are green.
"Reduce, reuse, recycle " and "keep it clean " are meant to reinforce both the Eco Experience location and the trash can placard/envelope.
"Don't get sucked up into the vortex, or get flushed down the drain " describe a few Eco Experience exhibits to avoid—namely the "Bagnado" and "Down the Drain" displays.
"experience " is meant to reinforce the Eco Experience location.
"sustain " is meant to suggest looking near the Sustainability Stage exhibit.
"The feat of photosynthesis " and "trees—they help us all " are meant to suggest looking near the Tree Care Advisor booth, which has a sign reading "Trees help all of us."
"off the wall " is meant to suggest that the treasure is taped to the wall, and that the finder will need to remove it.
"it's a sign " is meant to suggest that the treasure is disguised as a trash can placard.
"It's time to take out the trash " is mean to suggest looking near a trash can—in this case, the one between the Tree Care Advisor and Sustainability Stage exhibits.
