RSS 2.0 FeedGeocoinfest is a mega event that brings together Geocoin fans, collectors, and vendors. At the event, there is coin trading, discovering, buying, and a few other activities that are sure to provide a lot of fun. This year, Geocoinfest will be held in Rock Hill, South Carolina on October 14th – 16th. We got the opportunity to interview Craig (C&S 143), one of the founding members of the York County Geocaching Organization and a member of the planning committee for Geocoinfest US 2011.
Geocoinfest 2011 – Rock Hill, South Carolina: http://coord.info/GC2G6QR
Wherethecacheis: How many attendees do you anticipate to see at the Geocoinfest this year?
Craig: It is hard to give an exact number on this. Last year, they had around 550 signatures on the logs. However, that doesn't take into account families who may have had just one person sign for the group. We are estimating that we will have between 600 and 900 individuals.
Wherethecacheis: How many vendors do you expect?
Craig: Right now we have 9 vendors. We are hoping to hit at least 12. But we would like more!!
Wherethecacheis: What should a 1st timer expect to see/do at a Geocoinfest? What exactly happens during the main event?
Craig: For 1st timers to a geocoin event, expect to see a LOT of geocoins! That is the main focus for this event. Everywhere you look, there will be coins. There will also be a lot of pathtags around as well.
We do not have a detailed schedule just yet but some of the happenings at the main event will include a seminar on how to design a coin, silent auctions, door prizes and a kids area with arts and crafts, balloon animals and face painting. We are looking at things like pathtag blind trading where each person puts in a pathtag and randomly gets a different one. We are also happy to have Geocoin Poker at our event. This is a poker tournament (Texas Hold'em) where the buy-in is 3 geocoins. The winner gets a LOT of geocoins. We have a few other things up our sleeve that I don't want to mention just yet...
Wherethecacheis: Is there anything special that attendees may need to know about the Geocoinfest or anything they need to bring with them?
Craig: The main event is inside so weather is not a factor. No need to plan for sun or rain. If you have ever had a question about geocoins from a collector, enthusiast, designer or any other viewpoint, bring them! I am sure they can be answered at the event. Bring some money to buy coins or other items (sales are only permitted by official vendors). Bring your coins and pathtags for trading with others. Just come and have a good time.
Wherethecacheis: Besides geocaching, what else might a visitor want to do while in Rock Hill?
Craig: Rock Hill was the home to artist Vernon Grant. Now you may not know the name but I bet you have seen his artwork. He is the creator/artist of the characters Snap, Crackle and Pop from Rice Crispies cereal fame. Visitors can check out the Rock hill Museum to learn more about our area and Vernon Grant. We also are located along Lake Wyle and the Catawba River so there are some kayaking opportunities. Just up the road about 10 miles is Carowinds theme park. In October, the park opens in the evenings as SCarowinds, a haunted theme park! We are also located near Charlotte, NC, which is home to the Carolina Panthers (Okay. So based on last season, that might not be a big draw), the U.S. National Whitewater Center and the NASCAR Hall of Fame. And of course there is GEOCACHING!!!
Wherethecacheis: Are there any must-do Geocaches that we might want to go for while we are there?
Craig: There certainly are. We are putting together a list of best area caches. Some will be quick finds in interesting areas. Others may take a while to complete but the journey is an adventure. Stay tuned for this information on our website: www.geocoinfestus2011.com
Wherethecacheis: Can you explain how the poker tournament works?
Craig: The poker tournament is being held one hour after closing of the main event in the same location as the main event. The tournament is being put on by The Geocoin Club, LLC. The tournament will be made up of 40 partcipants. Each participant provides a "buy-in" of 3 unactivated geocoins that are no longer for sale. The tournament will go on until there is a winner. The top 3 places will split the buy-in. The 1st place finisher will walk away with at least 60 geocoins!! For more details on the tournament, check out http://www.geocoinclub.com/geocoinpoker.php.
Wherethecacheis: Will credit card purchasing be available? What about personal checks?
Craig: That will be a question for each vendor. We will be providing internet access for the vendors so that option is open. But it depends on if each vendor is set up for that.
Wherethecacheis: Are pets allowed at the event?
Craig: Pets are not allowed inside the facility with the exception of service animals. However, if you want to bring your pet with you, we can provide information on local day-boarding facilities if needed.
Wherethecacheis: Can you give us a hint on what will be in the attendee packages?
Craig: We are finalizing that right now. We are going to be doing something a little different with registration this year.
Wherethecacheis: Will food and beverages be available at the main event?
Craig: Yes. We are planning to bring in two or three food vendors. At this point, we have not nailed down those yet so I can't say for sure what type of food but that is the plan.
Wherethecacheis: Can you explain what a Friend of the Geocoinfest is? How can we become one?
Craig: Friends of Geocoinfest are those people or groups who volunteer to help out with the events or donate money to help offset the costs. If you wish to be listed on the Friends of Geocoinfest site, just donate your time as a volunteer or click the Donate button at the bottom of the main page to help financially.
Wherethecacheis: What does someone need to do to be a vendor or a supporter? What’s the difference?
Craig: A vendor is someone who has secured a table at the main event. Vendors have signed an agreement to be able to set up a table(s) at the event to sell their products. Sponsors are those folks who are not able to attend in person but who would still like to be a part of the event by donating either money or products for door prizes and silent auctions. If anyone is interested, please check out our website at http://www.geocoinfestus2011.com/supporters/forms/
Wherethecacheis: Where is the best place online to get the most up to date information?
Craig: The best place is to visit our website at www.geocoinfestus2011.com. That is where we will provide details on what is going on. We are also on Facebook (search for Geocoinfest U.S. 2011), Twitter (@Geocoinfest2011) and of course don't forget to log your "will attend" on Geocaching.com (http://coord.info/GC2G6QR).
Wherethecacheis: Is there anything else that you would like to add that we have not covered here?
Craig: We have a few surprises that we will be talking about in the coming weeks. Some of our adventurers went in search of hidden treasures and have come up with something that we think will be a big draw. Keep checking back to our site in the coming weeks and see what we have come up with!
We appreciate Craig taking the time to do the interview with us. We wish him and everyone on the planning committee best wishes to a successful event. I am sure I speak for everyone in saying that we appreciate the effort each of you are putting in to launch this years Geocoinfest.
Until next time…Happy trails and happy caching!