Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
P.J. Glisson/Daily Globe THE WOODS of Bluff Valley Park, shown here on Friday morning and reflected in the adjacent fish pond, will be the sole location for this year's Geocache Dash, starting today as one of numerous events planned for more than a week of July 4 activities in Bessemer.
BESSEMER - The 13th annual Geocache Dash starts today in Bessemer, as numerous Fourth of July events begin to unfold more than a week before the actual holiday.
"It's very family-friendly," said dash organizer Scott Pospect on Thursday.
Parents are welcome to bring children, and the only items needed to participate are a smartphone and a global-positioning system app.
GPS coordinates will be available today, along with full rules, at bessemer4th.com.
Pospect's geocache activity is different from many other traditional geocache events, in which participants take items from containers in exchange for depositing other interesting pieces.
The Bessemer Geocache Dash has only four aims: 1. Find each of the 13 containers; 2. Remove one drawing entry card from each container; 3. Fill in the information on each card; and 4. Turn in the cards to the designated drop-spot by the deadline.
Another difference in this event is that standard geocaching involves containers that remain in their locations indefinitely, whereas Pospect said, "My containers are just there for that week."
Pospect praised local businesses for supporting the event by donating prizes, which will include pizzas, fish fries, clothing, certificates for oil changes and more.
Regarding container locations, he explained that "the hiding spots vary from year to year."
This year, he said, all of the locations will be in the woods of Bluff Valley Park in Bessemer.
By using the provided GPS coordinates, Pospect said participants will be able to get within 20 feet of each container. Hence, he added, "You still have to search and look for the container."
Depending on how many containers you find, he said each person may result with one entry card or 13 of them.
He cautioned participants to respect the rules.
"Sometimes people try and take more than one card, but they're all stamped and numbered," he said, assuring of persons who try to cheat, "They're automatically disqualified."
Pospect also counts on participants to close the containers and to place them exactly as they were when they found them.
"One of the things I try to stress is we like to keep the game fun for everyone," he said.
Pospect recommends wearing proper clothing and shoes and using bug repellant. "It is a walk in the woods," he reminded.
One major change this year is a new drop-off location at the Bessemer Dairy Queen. All geocache cards will be due on July 4 at 2 p.m. Drawing winners will be contacted.
Pospect said he started the event in 2009 and cancelled it in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Past geocache dashes have attracted more than 100 participants.
Any questions may be directed to him at 906-663-2018.
