Acknowledgement of Country: I would like to pay my respects to the First People: the traditional custodians of the lands and waterways of Wadawurrung Country. I would like to acknowledge that this event is being held on what always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land.
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. In the episode, Festivus was celebrated on the 23 December; which is now the date widely accepted as the date of Festivus. 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 2024, we will be meeting at the rotunda in Eastern Park on Monday 23 December between 5:30pm and 6:30pm. On the day make sure to check the logs and announcements on the event listing to see see any updated coordinates.
I'm from Canberra and usually, on the 23rd, I host my annual Festivus event in Canberra. However, as many Geelong locals would know by now, I regularly visit here to visit family and this year, it's our immediate family's turn to come down for Christmas/Festivus. So, I'll be hosting Festivus in Canberra early on the 20th, before making the trip through Victoria and arriving to Geelong on the 23rd to host this event. It's a Festivus miracle! I last hosted Festivus in Geelong in 2021!
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!
Festivus Dinner
Fitting with the Seinfeld theme, I will be bringing whatever Seinfeld food and drink I can find before the event. Feel free to bring your own to share! I will bring napkins, cups and hand sanitiser. What I find may possibly include (you're welcome to bring this stuff too): pretzels, chips and salsa dip, muffin tops, muffin stumps, little Snickers bars, little Twix bars, M&M packets, oreos, black and white cookies, Twinkies and Junior Mints!
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 2024, 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 2024? Are there evil geocaches that you still can't find? Are there puzzles that you still can't solve? Vent it all out at this event!
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 where each team name will be assigned a number. At roughly 6pm, I will make a speech 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! Fitting with the theme of Festivus, there will be no commerical prizes for FTF; only a certificate and bragging rights!
Feats of Strength
At the same time as the FTF raffle at 6pm, I will randomly draw a number and the team associated with that number will have the honours of participating in a Feats of Strength challenge. If they accept the challenge and are successful, they will share FTF honours and recieve their own certificate for FTF bragging rights!
***FTF honours goes to......***