BEFORE THE SNOW FLIES 2021
Welcome to the biggest annual event in Vermont Geocaching -- we will continue to celebrate the 20-year anniversary of Geocaching AND the 16th anniversary of Before the Snow Flies!
By attending this event you will earn the Community Celebration Souvenir. This unusual event type won't be available after the end of 2021... so come on down and earn that souvenir while you can!
Saturday October 16, 2021. 10 AM to 2 PM ish at the Rec Field Picnic Shelter; Additional caching in the Randolph area both before and afterward.
Geocachers of all ages are welcome! Make sure to bring an extra jacket, hat and gloves. The snow won't be flying yet, but that doesn't mean it'll be warm!
VENUE:
This year our event is at the Rec Field Picnic Shelter in Randolph VT. The posted coordinates are for the shelter itself with parking nearby. There are portapotties at this location. There are several picnic tables, and two covered areas which offer a good amount of space in case of inclement weather.
Directions: From I-89, turn west on VT 66 and down the big hill into Randolph. Merge onto VT 12, then bear right onto VT 12A / Park Street. 0.3 miles later, turn left into the parking area next to the ballfield. We're in the picnic shelter behind the red Rec Department building. The street address is 30 Park Street.
SCHEDULE:
10:00am -- 11:00am: Arrival and pick up of new cache listings
11:00am -- 1:00pm: Cache on your own, socializing, lunch
1:00pm -- 2:00pm: Awards, group photo
At this time we are planning that food may be shared by anyone who wishes to do so, as long as we don't all crowd the food tables at once. Bringing individual servings may be best but we'll offer more recommendations on that as the event date approaches. We will have the picnic tables in the shelter, and attendees may also want to bring their own chairs and have a tailgate lunch near the cars. Of course you may bring your own lunch if you prefer, and food & takeout is also available from a number of places in town. (If you go out for lunch, please be back before the awards at 1:00pm.)
Immediately after the group photo, our formal event ends, although you may continue to use the parking here. You may also choose to cache on your own in the area. Stay tuned for new cache announcements.
AWARDS:
Geo-Recognition!
As we have done in the past years we will be voting on 3 categories.
This year's categories are:
- Most Devious/Best Hide of the year (This is just one particular hide that either drove you nuts or was super clever), Please vote only for a cache hidden since the last BTSF event, i.e. after October 17 2020.
- Puzzler/Series/Challenge (this doesn't necessarily have to be the most prolific puzzler, just the cacher who you thought put out the most fun or ingenious puzzle or interesting series or challenge). Please vote only for a series which was hidden at least in part since the last BTSF event, i.e. after October 17 2020.
- All-Star Geocacher (this person exemplifies good sporstmanship, is willing to help others, and does his/her part to promote the positive aspects of geocaching) GOLDEN AMMO CAN. Please vote only for a cacher or team that has not already held the Golden Ammo Can.
Past Winners of the GOLDEN AMMO CAN award are:
DJ and CAL
QSeekers
Roostersting
Zebra Girl
lonestarr and mwein
Cornflakes
CacheThePlanet
crashco
ski-guide
Bren1467
yogacrone
BevanQ
Salts&marbles
Snarfmon23
Cwgray
Celing99
Each geocacher gets a vote! That means that if you are a team account each person in the team gets their own vote. Make sure your voice is heard!
JUST SEND YOUR PICKS to celing99 at, you guessed it, celing99@gmail.com .
Feel free to send in your vote as soon as possible. It is not required to vote on every category if you don't want to. (e.g. some people don't do puzzles and therefore wouldn't have an opinion on that category).
(There will be prizes for winners! And we currently plan to have a prize table as well.)
Congratulations to the 2020 winners:
- All-Star Geocacher: CELING99
- Puzzler/Challenge Creator: CARRIVT, for the exceptional VT 100 series
- Most Devious/Best Hide: TKDSCOUTER, for GC8NRJA Toys in the Attic
In addition to the awards, we have many attendee milestones and accomplishments to celebrate. In your 'Will-Attend' log entry, please tell us if you have any milestones coming up or just passed! We want to recognize them all.
COVID-19:
The always-evolving COVID-19 situation means that current recommended best practices for social gatherings are subject to change. Our current guidelines are:
- Outdoor Event
- Covid-19 Vaccination: HIGHLY encouraged for all who are eligible.
- Physical distancing and face masks: encouraged for all, and required for any who are unvaccinated.
- Food: more info on this soon
Any changes to these guidelines, if necessary, will be made in an announcement in the cache listing activity logs.
Our event has been reserved with the Randolph Recreation Department. All local and state requirements with respect to COVID-19 will be observed; after all we are each responsible for the well-being of not only ourselves but our friends and neighbors. We look forward to a fun and safe outdoor event!
Hope to see you in Randolph VT on October 16 for Before the Snow Flies 2021!
Community Celebration Events - 2020-2021
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.