The Idea:
You've heard of MEGA-EVENTS, right? Well this is quite the opposite. A flash mob is a large group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, do something unusual for a brief period of time, then quickly disperse. This flash mob is a gathering of geocachers for EXACTLY 15 minutes, not one second longer! This will be only one small part of the WWFM X events which are coordinated to happen simultaneously across the globe with thousands of geocachers participating in a fun and unique event.
The Itinerary:
11:50 -11:59 AM - Wait patiently in your car or stroll around the area, but STAY AWAY from ground zero. As much as you can, act like a muggle, pretend not to know each other or give any indication that something is about to happen.
12:00 PM - At 12:00 on the dot everyone will converge...The Flash Mob Event has begun!!! You will receive a log sheet to sign, so bring a pen, sign it, and place it in the collection container. You MUST be present, sign and deposit a log sheet during this time to claim the event. You can then mingle, swap stories, trade bugs and coins, give hints to your caches, brag, take pictures, whatever. You can also make arrangements to meet elsewhere after the event, or to hunt local caches.
12:08 PM - Assemble for a quick group photo with Buddy.
12:12 PM - Drawing for prizes (ideas/donations welcome).
12:14 PM - One minute warning is called out. Prepare to vacate the area.
12:15 PM EXACTLY – Immediately leave the area without a trace. You can meet elsewhere if desired, but no lingering. The log sheets container will be closed. If your name isn’t in it, you weren't here and you can't log the event.
If everything goes right, we will have lots of people coming seemingly out of nowhere and gathering for 15 minutes, holding a geocaching event, and then disappearing. There may be some muggles nearby who will wonder "What did I just see? What just happened?" (That's part of the fun!) Be ready to introduce someone to geocaching if you are questioned.
The History:
Flash Mob I - May 2007 - 1,000 attendees at 20 events in 2 countries
WWFM II - Nov 2007 - 4,406 attendees at 83 events in 9 countries
WWFM III - May 2008 - 7,907 attendees at 167 events in 15 countries
WWFM IV - Nov 2008 - 7,421 attendees at 154 events in 20 countries
WWFM V - May 2009 - 7,051 attendees at 154 events in 20 countries
WWFM VI - Nov 2009 - 6,832 attendees at 152 events in 21 countries
WWFM VII - May 2010 - 5,680 attendees at 139 events in 19 countries
WWFM VIII - June 2011 - 9,940 attendees at 215 events in 25 countries
WWFM IX - June 2012 - 15,487 attendees at 312 events in 31 countries
WWFM X - May 2013 - 558 events in 42 countries