“A Mega-Event cache is an Event Cache that is attended by 500+ people. Mega-Events offer geocachers a day of planned activities. There are often several days of additional activities surrounding a Mega-Event. These large events attract geocachers from all over the world and are often held annually.” That’s how Groundspeak defines a Mega-Event. So you hear about Mega-Events and you might be wondering “What’s the big deal?” or “why should I go?” Let us start by saying each event has a different feel and caters to different kinds of geocachers (although all are welcome). Most Mega-Events will have their own page outside of the Geocaching.com page and will have multiple registration levels to help fund the event. This includes deadlines that you need to be aware of. There is always a free level available.
The Regional Mega Events
Midwest GeoBash (MWGB) this was at, one point, a roaming event but has found a home in Wauseon, OH (just West of Toledo, OH). This was the first Mega Event I attended and is more of a social event than anything else. Consider it a massive multi-day party for Geocachers. People gather at the fairgrounds (many camp onsite) and during the day they either hang out or cache around the area. Being in Northwestern Ohio it makes it easy to grab caches in three states. There are education sessions so you can learn things, there are contests (Poker Run.), and there’s is a massive travel bug exchange. Vendors come out selling things. Geocoins, and pathtags are in ample supply for trading or just ogling. “Bash” is a great event during the day and gets a little more interesting at night. Area 51, the public campfire area, is one of those things that Bash is known for. Some people like it, others don’t, personally I think it’s a a lot of fun and has expanded over the years. Area 51 is basically a bar (or bars) where donated adult beverages are poured. Parents are not encouraged to have their kids in Area 51 after a certain time. When I attended my first Bash, I knew nothing about this and thought it was one of those super secret, invite only places… I know better now. Bash is an event you can go to for just one day if you can’t take the time off. I think it is a great first Mega-Event for anyone who would like to check one out.
Midwest Geobash is a multi-day event and they have a different theme and bird mascot each year. Onsite camping is a big part of the social aspect of this event.
The Midwest Geobash 2018 is active and if you plan to go it’s July 27-28
GeoWoodstock became the FIRST EVER GIGA in NorthAmerica in 2018. Held in Cincinnati at Coney Island. It is being held in Fort Worth, Texas in 2019, GeoWoodstock 2019. It is hosted by the Texas Geocaching Association. It is traditionally held the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. Woodstock, for some reason, is considered the grandaddy of mega events, and is set to be GIGA again in 2019!!!. Woodstock is one day and in most cases there are other events before and after and can sometimes be weeks before the actual event. It is a social event, again there are the typical GPSr accuracy contests and educational sessions, for the most part this event is for people to go cache in the area and meet people. Like Bash, vendors are around and there are places to trade pathtags, trackables, and coins.
The Event page is up and if you plan to go it’s happening on May 25.
Preparing to Attend a Mega-Event
First and foremost understand what kind of event you are attending, and check out the other events in the area. In some cases the event isn’t really just a day, it takes the entire weekend (or week before) plan ahead and know what you are getting yourself into.
Create a route and load the caches in the area. An event, like Geowoodstock, will have several caches and geo-tours to do before, during, and after. Also, plan for those “MUST DO” caches in the area. Load your GPSr or create lists for your Smartphone apps to do offline.
Ask around about the event- find out what it’s like from those who have attended it. Are there special parts that should not be missed. Worst case, contact the event organizers and ask them.
If you know you are going- register ahead of time – or you’ll miss out on valuable opportunities for SWAG and getting up to date information about the event.
Check Facebook, if you have an account, to see if the event has a page. We found that Geowoodstock 2018 updated the Facebook page way more often than the event page or even the website.
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Almost but Not Quite Mega-Events Nearby
The Indiana Spring Picnic is held annually in May. The event bounces around and is usually held at a different State Park each year. There is a pitch-in lunch and door prizes along with an auction. It has a number of sub other events surrounding it although the actual event is one day.
SummerStock:
This is an annual event held in Northwest Indiana by TeamPhoenix421. There is a ton of food supplied by them and so many fun games. A silent auction, door prizes, a human sized TB for photo ops, milestone board for photo ops, cotton candy, and an snowcones. Plinko, Chuck a Duck, Corn Hole (that has discoverable codes), oh and did I mention a serious amount of food supplied?
“This Mega-Event would be worth adding too as it is a very different from the other area Mega-events and is relatively close to Indiana. The key components of it are $1,000 in real cash is given out and dozens of new permanent caches placed each year making West Bend the self-proclaimed “Geocaching Capital of the Midwest” with over 900 caches in a 10-mile radius. The caches placed also tend to be unique and not just film canister park-and-grabs.”
What about Groundspeak?
– Groundspeak and/or Geocaching.com do not host Mega events. It seems to be a large number of people’s opinion that GeoWoodstock is a Groundspeak event.
If we missed an annual event please let us know so that we can add it here…