**NOTE: we are publishing this event to allow ample time for travel arrangements. Once plans are confirmed, log a “Will Attend,” as well as the number in your party. Our planning team is working to finalize logistics, so please stay tuned to this page and/or Facebook for updates.
ABOUT / A Word from Trycacheus:
The first event I attended was in 2008. At the end of that event, they asked where we should do the next one. I said, "how about Gilby?" For some reason, they laughed. It took me 12 years but I finally proved them wrong and hosted the first Gilby Gone Wild in July 2020. Last year in the fall of 2021 was even bigger. With a "push" from some caching friends, I am told this is now an annual event. I was also told I will be putting out several new caches. I have a lot of work to do, but I am looking forward to seeing everyone this fall. We hope to see you there.
OTHER WEEKEND EVENTS:
- GC9YYXW - Jack, Jim, and Johnnie! Oh My!
Friday, September 23rd from 5-7 p.m. at Turtle River State Park (Arvilla, North Dakota)
- GC9ZNM0 - USA ND WWFM XIX: Bluebird of Happiness Day Event Cache
Saturday, September 24th from 8-8:30 a.m. in Emerado, North Dakota
- GC9ZM9B - NDGCA+NDPRD 12 Month/12 Hike at Turtle River
Saturday, September 24th from 7-8:30 p.m. at Turtle River State Park (Arvilla, North Dakota)
- GC9WFBC - Galesburg's 140th Anniversary Celebration Event Cache
Sunday, September 25th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Galesburg, North Dakota
SATURDAY SCHEDULE:
10 a.m. - Event officially begins! The Gilby Grind (located inside Community Center near GZ) will be open at 8:30 and selling coffee, drinks and treats.
10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Explore Gilby and the surrounding area! Head out with familiar faces or new friends to find one of over 100 caches in the surrounding area. Want to join another geocaching group for the day? Hang out at the park or post in the Gilby Facebook Group to make arrangements.
The park is reserved for our group for the duration of the event (10 a.m. - 4 p.m.) and will be open to all who wish to hang out, visit, or play yard games. We will also have a table for trackables, pathtag trades, and special Gilby items available for purchase. There will be raffle tickets available for purchase (cash please!) for an assortment of awesome items. All proceeds will go towards covering the cost of the event. If you have an item you’d like to donate, please reach out to Chad (Trycacheus) at cthor@polarcomm.com.
11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Lunch (Optional) at Gilby Community Center
$10 lunch option includes a choice of hamburger or hotdog, chips, side salad, and dessert. All proceeds benefit the Gilby Community Center and park!
3 p.m. - Door Prizes / Group Photo
Meet back at the park for door prizes, raffle drawing, and a group photo!
4 p.m. - Event Officially Ends
Please share your photos and memories with us on Facebook!
IMPORTANT DETAILS - PLEASE READ:
Amenities in Gilby
At last official count, Gilby had a population of 237. There is a bar and hardware store that sells pop, candy, and pizzas. There is a credit-card-only gas pump. We will have portable toilets at the park and indoor toliets inside the Community Center.
Area Attractions
There are a variety of other great geocaching destinations within driving distance of Gilby:
- Grand Forks, North Dakota
- Fargo, North Dakota / Moorhead, Minnesota
- Pembina and Walsh Counties, North Dakota
- Pembina Walsh Historic Trail (caches by Trycacheus)
COVID-19 Considerations
We encourage attendees to follow the ND Smart Protocols to reduce the potential spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Packing List
- SNACKS!
- Beverages of your choosing
- Lawnchair
- Bug repellent/tick spray
- Sunscreen
- TOTTs (optional)
Travel + Lodging
If you are making travel arrangements, the closest airports to Gilby are GFK (Grand Forks, ND), FAR (Fargo, ND), BIS (Bismarck, ND) or MSP (Minneapolis, Minnesota). If you're looking to pick up another country or provinces, YWG (Winnipeg, MB) is a good Canadian option.
We'd recommend booking a room at one of the following locations where we have reserved blocks of rooms:
- Best Western Harvest Inn & Suites: $100-120+tax/night (block of ten rooms)
- Expressway Suites: $124.95/night + tax (block of twenty rooms)
NOTE: When calling to book within the block, guests should reference the “2022 Gilby Gone Wild Geocaching event” to get the rate within the block.
Camping is also available at Turtle River State Park (Arvilla, ND) and Red River State Park (East Grand Forks, MN).
Support Us
This event is free and open to all. There is no purchase necessary to attend. However, if you'd like to help us cover costs, we'll be hosting a raffle and selling special Gilby items at the event (cash please). Prior to the event, we'd encourage you to check out the Gilby t-shirt or sweatshirt designed by our friend Joshua, the Geocaching Vlogger. All proceeds of "Left My Hearts in Gilby" will go towards future geocaches (and events!) in Gilby.
Feel free to connect with fellow geocachers to ask questions in our Facebook group, but we ask that you log your "will-attend" once you know your travel plans. Though not required, we’d love to know where you are coming from if you are traveling from out-of-town.