Geocaching HQ Lackeys attend dozens of Mega and Giga-Events around the world, shaking hands, sharing stories of adventure, and of course, geocaching! MusikMaker is a Senior QA Engineer at Geocaching HQ. He recently traveled to Ohio to attend the Midwest Geobash 2024 – 20th Year! (GCAA9KK). Here is his trip summary.

From July 25-28, I immersed myself in the heart(land) of the geocaching community at the Midwest Geobash 2024 – 20th Year! (GCAA9KK) in Wauseon, Ohio. As a Lackey, I was thrilled to represent the company at this epic gathering of fellow geocaching enthusiasts.

The event, hosted at the Fulton County Fairgrounds, was a whirlwind of excitement. Hundreds of dedicated geocachers converged on Wauseon, creating an electric atmosphere. Organizers Ian (OnABoat) and Russ (Handyman & Fam) went above and beyond, showering me with MWGB swag and making all us Lackeys feel welcome while still managing the operations of the event. I spent countless hours connecting with fellow geocachers, trading Lackey trading cards for personalized pathtags.

The festivities kicked off with an ice cream social and cornhole competition on Thursday night. Friday’s agenda included a thrilling “poker run” through Wauseon and an afternoon of caching, followed by a dinner with geocaching reviewers and an unforgettable evening at “Area 51.” This infamous after-party, complete with tin foil hat crafting, drinks, and dancing around firepits, was a highlight of the Geobash’s 20th anniversary celebration.

Throughout the weekend, I reconnected with colleagues – Bri, Annie, Jeff, and Phil – and deepened my appreciation for Russ and Ian’s passion for geocaching. Saturday was dedicated to exploring the fairgrounds and tackling the event’s unique Adventure Labs. The day culminated in an awards ceremony where I had the opportunity to thank the organizers and express my gratitude to/for the geocaching community.

Sunday morning’s pancake breakfast brought the weekend to a delicious close. As I made the journey back to Seattle, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment and excitement for future Midwest Geobashes.

This year’s Midwest Geobash was an unforgettable experience that reinforced my love for geocaching and the incredible community that surrounds it.
-MusikMaker