Acknowledgement of Country: I would like to pay my respects to the First People: the traditional custodians of the lands and waterways of Ngunnawal Country. I would like to acknowledge that this geocache has been placed on what always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land.
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).
It's that time of the year again! Every year in the Canberra geocaching community, there are always countless events across the Yuletide period: the Secret Santa Event, the events closer to Christmas, the New Year's Eve events and the New Year's Day events. This year, some are Community Celebration events; held to celebrate 20 years of geocaching. In this crazy COVID year, this is my contribution of Community Celebration events during the geocaching festive season: Festivus!
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 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 ironically and as a way for fans to celebrate the beloved TV series.
Event Info
To celebrate Festivus 2020, we will be meeting at the picnic tables and shelters to the north of Black Mountain Peninsula, near the Black Mountain Rowing Club. The event will be held on Wednesday the 23rd of December between 5:30pm and 7:30pm.
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. There should hopefully be plenty of parking next to GZ as well as at the Black Mountain Rowing Club. However, as it could be busy in the park at this time of the year, we will relocate to other locations on the Peninsula if need be. On the day, make sure to frequently check the logs on the event listing to see any updated coordinates of our new event site.
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 Christmas tree (Frank Costanza found tinsel distracting). For this event, we will have our very own plastic Festivus pole! Make sure to take many photos with the pole!
Festivus Dinner
You can't have Festivus without the Festivus dinner! Fitting with the 'Seinfeld' theme, I will be bringing whatever 'Seinfeld', COVIDSafe related foods (on the cheap side) I can find before the event. Feel free to bring your own food! What I find may possibly include (you're welcome to bring some of this stuff too): pretzels, chips and salsa dip, muffin tops, muffin stumps, little Snickers bars, little Twix bars, M&M packets, oreos, black and white cookies, Twinkies and Junior Mints!
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 HAVE DISAPPOINTED YOU OVER THE PAST YEAR.
At this event, as you're socialising with your fellow geocachers to discuss 2020, 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 2020? Are there evil geocaches that you still can't find? Are there puzzles that you still can't solve? Did COVID ruin your geocaching travel plans? Vent it all out at this event!
6pm - Festivus Miracle
"It's a Festivus Miracle!" Exclaimed by Kramer throughout Festivus whenever something amazing happened, even if it was easily explainable.
As part of this event, I will creating a Festivus miracle for someone - through a FTF raffle! Each team should sign the logbook when they arrive; where each logbook entry will be numbered. At roughly 6pm, I will randomly draw a number on an app on my phone. 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 for FTF; only a nice certificate and bragging rights!
6:30pm - Feats of Strength
"Alright George, it's time for the Festivus Feats of Strength".
No spoilers, but wait until 6:30pm!
COVID-19 Protocols
- Sanitise your hands regularly; I will be providing hand sanitiser but you are encouraged to bring your own
- Keep 1.5m social distancing
- Please do not attend if you are feeling unwell
- BYOP (bring your own pen), as all cachers should!
- If you bring food, please make sure it's sharable and involves as little touching of adjacent food as possible
- Don't double dip your chips! (Just take one dip and end it!!!)
******FTF honours goes to Kittykatch******
Community Celebration Events - 2020
This Event is part of a limited release of Community Celebration Events to celebrate 20 years of geocaching. Geocachers hosted events between May 2, 2020 and December 31, 2021. Learn more about Community Celebration Events on the Geocaching Blog.