The Gemuetlichkeit Days festival is just around the corner, and the Mecki contest is on — starting on September 5th, 2025! The Mecki is a fictional German hedgehog cartoon character that was created by German artist, Ferdinand Diehl, for the popular German magazine HorZu — making his debut in 1949. Mecki loves to play tricks and practical jokes. Mecki has been the unofficial mascot of Jefferson's Gemuetlichkeit Days festival for decades. Our "Find the Mecki!" contest involves a 3-1/2 to 4-inch doll that resembles the famous German hedgehog. The Mecki is hidden within the Jefferson area in a public place. Clues to finding the Mecki will be posted daily after the start of the contest around 3:00 p.m. each day. The clues will be published here and on our Facebook page, and will be available at the Jefferson Public Library after 3:00 p.m. When Mecki is found, the finder must take the Mecki to the Jefferson Public Library. The Library will contact the Gemuetlichkeit Contest chairperson. A $100 prize will be awarded to the lucky winner and is being sponsored this year by Klica’s Rock and Bowl!
Clue #1 Clue #2 Clue #3
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Jessica Havill of Jefferson located the “hedge-hog cartoon character” for the second year in a row! Mecki was found this year around the Stoppenbach Walk Path area.