The purpose of Mega events is to get as many geocachers to travel an untold number of miles to spend a full day—or week—with a few hundred geocachers that could afford the time and money to attend. As the Podcachers were heading home after such an event several years ago, they were inspired to create a new type of event: get lots of geocachers to host a small, local event at the same time as hundreds of other events in many countries all around the world so that thousands of cachers could attend an event within an easy drive for just a few minutes. In addition, flash mobs were gaining popularity at that time. So… the concept of a geocaching World Wide Flash Mob (WWFM) was born!.
While living in San Diego, CA, I attended a couple of the early WWFM events, actually hosted by the PodCachers themselves! After moving back to Alabama, I went to a fairly local WWFM event and hosted my own the following year… and have done so every year since. This will be my sixth WWFM. Having attended a PodCacher event, I do my best to follow their design and layout.
Please follow these rules (or suggestions) for this event:
• (Set an alarm on your cell phone or GPS unit for noon)
• Arrive a few minutes early and remain in your car (or disguise yourself as a muggle and enjoy the playground, jog around the park, bust out your skateboard, walk your dogs). Please do not gather and converse with other geocachers—there will be plenty of time for chatting later
• At exactly noon (as your alarm signals), a bucket will appear at Phocation #1, the posted coordinates. The bucket was once orange but last year’s event converted it to maroon.
• Hurry and scurry to Phocation #1 to gather with other cachers—stealthfulness is not necessary at this point!
• Fill out an index card with your geocaching name (or prepare one ahead of time) and drop it in the bucket to register for the event.
• Introduce yourself to new friends and remind your “old” friends of your geo-name and real name, too.
• Once everyone is registered, we’ll have drawings for phabulous door prizes! (Donations are welcomed, see Special Note #1).
• At 12:08, we’ll “disperse” momentarily and meander along various routes to Phocation #2. Be sure not to take too much time, we only have 2 minutes to regroup and “Pheed the Masses”!
• At 12:10, we’ll “disperse” again and gather again at Phocation #3, to “Strike a Phose, and ‘Phogue, phogue, phogue”.
• By 12:15, we should be ready for our Group Phose for the Phantastic Photo Phinish and headcount to send to the PhodCachers for their records.
• At 12:15, we informally “disperse” again. If needed, you may return to the Phocation #1 to enjoy the shade, grab some water, chat with new and old phriends. You may stay at or return to Phocation #3 (with your pharaphernalia) to take a photo of your phose—see Special Note #2
• Promptly at 12:30, we will officially disperse. Quickly return to your vehicle and leave the park safely—See Special Note #3.
Special Note #1: If you have a phantastic item to donate as a door prize, your gift will be greatly appreciated!
Special Note #2::: Phooning is not encouraged at this event. You are encouraged to think of a phavorite or phamous photo, stance, or statue to use for your individual, couple, or small group photo. Props and accessories are permitted but not required.
Special Note #3: A delicious country-cookin’ buffet is located across the street and there are several diners around the square in downtown Phayetteville. That topic can be discussed while the phoguing is being photographed – with an announcement at 12:29 of the unanimous decision for a destination.
According to the WWFM XIII booklist, there are 117 events scheduled in 16 countries as of April 26, 2016.
According to the WWFM XIII booklist, there are 139 events scheduled in 18 countries as of May 3. As of May 15, there are 196 events in 21 countries. As of May 30, 279 events in 27 countries.
Phogue, phogue, phogue