Acknowledgement of Country: I would like to pay my respects to the First People: the traditional custodians of the lands and waterways of Ngunnawal, Ngunawal, and Ngambri Country. I would like to acknowledge that this event is being held on what always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land.
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 is my annual contribution to the geocaching festive season: Festivus!
What is Festivus?
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).
Festivus is a secular, fictional holiday created by TV character Frank Costanza (father of George) in the 90s 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. The holiday was created as an alternative to the stressful and commercial aspects of Christmas; 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 2021, we will be meeting at the picnic tables and shelters in Telopea Park. The event will be held on Monday the 20th of December between 5:30pm and 6:30pm. There should be plenty of parking the road and dirt carparks near GZ. However, it could be busy in the park at this time of the year so we will relocate to other locations in the park if need be. On the day, make sure to check the logs on the event listing to see any updated coordinates of our new event site.
Traditionally, Festivus is celebrated on the 23rd of December as it was the date that Festivus was celebrated on the show. However, this year our family is travelling to Geelong to be with our extended family for Christmas which means this event will instead be held on the 20th. But keep an eye for the logs and photos of the Festivus event that I plan to run in Geelong on the 23rd, pending restrictions.
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 and post them to the event page!
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 2021, 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 2021? Are there evil geocaches that you still can't find? Are there puzzles that you still can't solve? Did the pandemic (once again) ruin your geocaching travel plans? Vent it all out at this event!
The Human Fund
The Human Fund was the fake charity George Costanza made up during the Festivus episode. Rather than buying Christmas gifts or donating money in people's names to real charities (you know, normal decisions) he instead gave people cards saying "a donation in your name has been made to the Human Fund". The slogan of the Human Fund is just as pathetic: "Money for People". This is yet another reminder of how the show's comedy comes from how wrongly these characters assimilate into moral society.
A new segment of my Festivus geocaching events, the Human Fund is simply a name to call the trading of goods that many geocachers enjoy: pathtag trading! I am pleased to announce that at this event I will be debuting a new Festivus pathtag to trade with fellow cachers. I encourage cachers to bring lots of tags to trade with others! The design of my new tag can be seen below: as you can see, I've taken inspiration from the Festivus pole but also the drab, plain, simple, stress-free, non-decorative, and non-distracting nature of Festivus!
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 (also part of COVID-19 contract tracing); where each geocachi g name will be assigned a number. At roughly 6pm, I will make a speech about the event and COVID-19 protocols before randomly drawing 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!
COVID-19 Protocols (PLEASE READ)
- On arrival please scan the QR code and sign the logsheet with your name and contact details for contact tracing. If you later test positive for COVID-19 and health authorities inform you that event attendees are considered close or casual contacts, please contact me on 0498 968 994 as soon as possible so I can contact all the attendees. The logbook will be shreded 14 days after the event.
- Do not attend if you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and not recovered.
- Do not attend if you are unwell or have even the slightest symptoms of COVID-19.
- Do not attend if you are under a mandate by health authorities to quarantine.
- Sanitise your hands regularly; I am bringing some but you are encouraged to bring your own.
- Keep 1.5m social distancing where possible.
- Face masks and vaccinations are not mandatory but are encouraged.
- Bring your own food and drink; I am not running a Festivus dinner like in past years where we share food.
- BYOP (bring your own pen); as all geocachers should!
***FTF honours goes to TikvaNZ***