MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A worldwide geocaching gathering is headed to Hutchinson beginning Wednesday, and organizers say it could bring nearly 3,000 visitors from across the country and around the world to Reno County over Memorial Day weekend.
Visit Hutch representative Holly Leiker said Geo Woodstock 22, a large annual gathering of geocaching enthusiasts will take place May 20 through 24 throughout Hutchinson and Reno County.
Leiker described geocaching as a “digital scavenger hunt” where participants use a smartphone app to locate hidden caches placed in communities around the world. Unlike location-based mobile games, geocaching involves physical containers hidden at real-world locations that participants can discover and log through the app.
“This is a hobby. This is something that they’re choosing to spend their Memorial weekend doing,” Leiker said during the interview. “They meet up once a year with their friends from other parts of the country in a different spot every year, and we’re lucky to be right in the center of Kansas and available for them this summer.”
According to Leiker registrations have already come in from every U.S. state and from 14 foreign countries. She said attendance is expected to reach around 3,000 people during the multi-day event.
The event marks the first time Geo Woodstock has ever been hosted in Kansas. Organizers have also expanded the event beyond Hutchinson into neighboring south central Kansas communities by encouraging additional cache placements throughout the region.
Leiker said caches have been added throughout Reno County leading up to the event, including special “art caches” designed around local attractions and history. One cache north of town features a space theme, while another south of Hutchinson focuses on Strataca and Reno County’s salt mining heritage.
Events throughout the week are designed to involve both registered attendees and local residents. Many activities will be free and open to the public.
Activities begin Wednesday, May 20, with a craft brew gathering at Sand Hills Brewing downtown. Thursday activities include events at Strataca and a partnership with Hutch Rec’s Third Thursday celebration themed around “Art and Adventure.”
One of the featured public events will take place Friday night, May 22, when organizers host what Leiker believes will be Hutchinson’s first-ever drone show. The show is scheduled for 9 p.m. at Gowans Stadium on the Hutchinson Community College campus. Gates will open at 8 p.m., with concessions available and both the west and north entrances open to the public.
“I’ve seen one drone show in my life when I was at a conference a couple years ago, and it’s incredible,” Leiker said.
Saturday activities tied directly to Geo Woodstock will primarily take place at the Kansas State Fairgrounds for registered attendees, though additional evening activities at Memorial Hall will remain open to the public. Organizers will conclude the weekend Sunday morning with a community cleanup effort as a thank-you to Hutchinson.
Leiker credited volunteer organizer Ryan Simmel of Manhattan for helping bring the event to Kansas. She said numerous community partners, including Visit Hutch, Strataca, the Cosmosphere, Hutch Rec and others have worked together to prepare for the large gathering.