Pokemon GO: Melbourne in running to host huge Pokemon GO Fest
It’s the game that took the world by storm, with thousands flocking to local parks to play. Now, Pokemon GO lovers from around the world could unite in Melbourne for a huge festival which organisers say would be a massive tourism drawcard.
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Wanna catch ‘em all at a huge Pokemon GO event in Melbourne?
Mooroolbark mum and Pokemon fan Annika Loci is working to make it happen.
Mrs Loci is part of the PokemonGO Fest Melbourne Committee, campaigning for Melbourne to host the first Pokemon GO Fest event in Australia – an augmented reality festival that has attracted more than 80,000 visitors to similar events in the US, Japan and Germany.
The committee has made a submission to Pokemon GO creator Niantic for Melbourne to host the event next year, in the green spaces around the city including Kings Domain and Birrarung Marr.
The event would run over two or three days and bring international and local Pokemon GO players to Melbourne to play the game, a mobile phone app where players track Pokemon through real life environments via GPS on their phone.
As well as playing Pokemon GO, events generally involve a main stage, food trucks, several themed “habitat” activations within parks, photo stands, mobile cell towers (to provide additional network coverage), competitions and mobile phone recharging stations.
Mrs Loci said the multimillion-dollar festivals were not just about playing Pokemon GO; they were a celebration of Pokemon and a huge tourism drawcard.
“This would be a brilliant thing for Melbourne,” she said.
“It’s something different to what we normally do and it’s family-friendly and encourages people to spend more time outside and explore our environment.
“It would be a great way for people to learn about Melbourne and learn about our history.”
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More than 5000 people have signed a petition backing the committee’s campaign, and Mrs Loci said they had the support of State Government department Creative Victoria and Lord Mayor Sally Capp.
The committee expects to hear if their bid has been successful in the next six months.
Mrs Loci said Sydney and Brisbane were also vying to host the event, but believed Melbourne would be a great host.
“We are a major events city, and have the infrastructure to support the event,” she said.
Creative Victoria senior manager of digital games Fran Kerlin said Melbourne was Australia’s digital games capital and home to half of the national games industry, from major studios through to independent developers.
Ms Kerlin said the State Government enthusiastically supported events and activities that celebrated the important role games could play in the community and the value they brought to the economy.
“The submission to bring Pokémon GO Fest to Melbourne was led by a grassroots community group and Creative Victoria was pleased to provide a letter of support which reiterates why Melbourne would be an ideal host city,” she said.
“We look forward to seeing how the Victorian group’s submission progresses.”
Details: facebook.com/MelbournePokemonGo
The best places to play Pokemon GO in Yarra Ranges
Recommended by Annika Loci
1. Mt Evelyn Warburton Trail, Wray Crescent, Mt Evelyn
2. Mooroolbark Station and Shops, Brice Ave, Mooroolbark
3. Hookey Park and Rotunda and Mooroolbark Library, Charles St, Mooroolbark
4. Croydon Park, Mt Dandenong Rd, Croydon
5. Lillydale Lake and Lilydale Main Street District