MAP planning Easter Egg scavenger hunt on Saturday in Medina, murder mystery event on May 3

Photos by Ginny Kropf: (Left) Brody George, collections manager at Medina Railroad Museum, portrayed mayor E. Lou Sieve in the Medina Area Partnership’s murder mystery in 2024, “When Push Came to Shove.” It was set in 1904. (Right) From left, Tami Siffsinger of Lyndonville and Carol Bellack and Robin Wehling of Medina dressed for the era during last year’s murder mystery. Here, they prepare to enter Author’s Note, hoping to find a clue. Seventeen businesses and 132 people participated in the event, which entailed visiting all participating businesses, talking to the character portrayed in that store and then deciding who killed Austin Franks, an owner of the Franks and Bettor Cold Storage after its grand opening.

MEDINA – Medina Area Partnership is kicking off the spring season with two very special events.

First is the annual Easter Bunny and Golden Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

The event will include the Easter Bunny, who will be stationed at Rotary Park from noon to 2 p.m. Kids will be able to visit with the bunny, take a picture and get a chocolate bunny sucker. There will also be 12 golden Easter eggs hidden in the windows of various downtown businesses (chosen at random), as well as five colored eggs that will be hidden up high. Last year’s eggs were hidden near street signs and in trees, etc.

The second exciting event will be the third annual murder mystery. Murder on the Orleans Express will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 3. Those attending will be asked to sign in at the Medina Senior Center by noon.

This event is gaining in popularity every year, said Ann Fisher-Bale, event coordinator for MAP. She said they tried to incorporate elements from Medina’s history when planning the event.

As background for the event, Murder on the Orleans Express is a 1940’s-themed murder mystery. The Pickle Factory, a processing facility of the largest pickle producer in the state, has been run for years by Noah Lott. It is now time for him to retire, and to celebrate his successful leadership of the Factory and for Medina, his secretary Mary Nade has arranged for a special train excursion on the Orleans Express.

All the important people from the Factory and Medina, his family and, hopefully, people from the parent company itself will be joining the luxuriously fabulous expedition. Mary has arranged for a meal on the train, entertainment and multiple presentations to laud her boss.

As the speeches drone on, everyone is toasting Noah Lott, and the glasses are refilled time and time again. The fifth speaker is Beau Degas, owner of the local grocery mart. As Beau finishes speaking and everyone imbibes one more time, Mary collapses.

Someone has murdered the secretary extraordinaire.

Businesses and attendees are encouraged to dress up in 1940’s era garb and have fun at this event.

Tickets are $20 and provide participants with an Investigator’s Booklet, which can be used to compile notes and clues.

The event is also Kentucky Derby Day and participating businesses are being urged to run suitable specials or features that day.

Fisher-Bale said MAP hopes the event will bring several hundred people to downtown Medina to enjoy a fun spring day, visit the local businesses and maybe catch a “killer.” After deciding who they think committed the murder, attendees can e-mail their answer to MAP the next day. A winner will be drawn from the correct answers and will win a gift basket with a value of at least $200.

For more information on tickets, click here.