Many Christmases ago, I went to buy a doll for my son. I reach for the last one they had — but so did another man. As I rained blows upon him, I realized there had to be another way! Out of that, a new holiday was born - a Festivus for the rest of us! (Frank Costanza, 1997).
Every year in the Canberra geocaching community, there are always countless events across the Yuletide period: the Christmas Eve events, the New Year's Eve events and the New Year's Day events. This is my contribution to this year's geocaching festive season: a Festivus event!
What is Festivus?
Festivus is a secular, fictional holiday created by TV character Frank Costanza (father of George) in the highly acclaimed 90s TV sitcom, 'Seinfeld' - one of my all-time favourite shows Festivus was celebrated in the 1997 Season 9 episode, 'The Strike'; and bizarrely, is based on the real-life holiday celebrations of the family of the episode's lead writer, Dan O'Keefe. In the episode, Festivus was celebrated on the 23rd of December; which is now the date widely accepted as the date of Festivus. The holiday was created as an alternative to the stressful and commercial aspects of the Christmas season; however, Festivus has since had a large impact on popular culture in the real world. It is celebrated annually by fans of Seinfeld as a joke and as a way for fans to celebrate the beloved TV series.
Event Info
For this geocaching-style Festivus event, we will be meeting at the picnic tables and shelters next to the Chifley Shops between 6pm and 6:45pm.
This park is great for group gatherings: the landscaping is beautiful; and there are awesome playgrounds, basketball courts and open grass for the geokids! Some Seinfeld-themed snacks will be provided. The shops will be closed during the evening.
I intend to hold the event at the tables at the posted coordinates and I will be at the event site extremely early to try and reserve our place at these tables. However, as it could be busy in the park at this time of the year, we will relocate to a nearby shelter. If all shelters in the park are being used, we may need to use a fold-out table somewhere in the park. Therefore, on the day, make sure to check the logs to see any updated coordinates or descriptions of our new event site.
Depending on how busy it is, parking may also become a challenge. I have attached some parking coodinates as potential options for when you arrive. If the area is quiet, there should be parking spaces available around the perimeter of the shops. However, if it is busy, you may need to park on one of the nearby streets or at the carpark of the nearby community hub. Nevertheless, it should be a short and easy walk to the event site from wherever you park.
There are many strange traditions as part of Festivus; some of which we will be participating in as part of this geocaching-style Festivus event:
Aluminium Pole
As an alternative to the stressful and commerical aspects of Christmas, Festivus is celebrated with a plain aluminium pole as a direct contrast to a highly decorated, material Christmas tree.
To fit with the theme, I will be bringing my Festivus pole to this event to place on our table.
Airing of Grievances
The Airing of Grievances is another Festivus tradition where you gather your family and friends and point out all the ways that they disappointed you over the past year.
At this event, as you're socialising with your fellow geocachers to discuss 2019, you may be able to use this time to vent some of your geocaching pet peeves and to air your grievances. Were there potential FTFs that you were beaten to in 2019? Are there evil geocaches that you still can't find? Are there puzzles that you still can't solve? Vent it all out at this event!
Festivus Miracle
"It's a Festivus Miracle!" This was exclaimed by Kramer throughout Festivus whenever something amazing happened, even if it was easily explainable and logical.
As part of this event, I will creating a Festivus miracle for someone - through a FTF raffle! Each team will sign the logbook when they arrive and each logbook entry will be numbered. At roughly 6:30, I will randomly draw one of these numbers. The team associated with the number I call out will have their name written on the description of this event page; stating, for eternity, that they were the FTF of this event. Fitting with the theme of Festivus, there will be no commerical prizes as part of the FTF raffle; only a nice certificate and bragging rights!
A group photo will also be taken after the raffle.
***FTF honours goes to Me_To***