Hundreds flock to Stanley Park despite cancelled Pokémon Go meet-up
Hundreds of Pokémon players flocked to Stanley Park on Saturday despite plans for a meet-up being cancelled.
Cheery Huang, the organizer of the cancelled meet-up, said she was very surprised to see so many fellow players at the park even after she nixed her event.
"This happened!" said Huang, giggling as she pointed to the crowds behind her. "My hope was just to see how many people are playing ... gather people together and perhaps socialize with everyone."
She called off the event after it gained too much traction online and more than 3,000 people responded to say they would attend.
The 20-year-old from Burnaby, B.C. posted a note on Facebook Friday saying an event with so many people would require permits from the city, something she was not prepared to do as it was initially meant for a much smaller group of friends.
Despite the last-minute change of plans, it didn't phase the hundreds who showed up regardless.
Monica Murphy and her friends travelled from Chilliwack, B.C. after seeing comments on the Facebook page from other players saying they were still going to the park.
"I think it just had to do with the permits," said Murphy. "If there was no formal event, then we were allowed to come."
She said it was more fun to play the game amongst friends and others Pokémon "trainers."
One enterprising trio took advantage of the meet-up and started an unlicensed business off the back of a bike.
"We've gone around and decided to sell portable battery packs to keep everyone's experience going so they don't have to go home or fight for that one outlet over there," said 21-year-old Nick Eng as he pointed to the park information booth.
The Vancouver Aquarium went ahead with its Pokémania event which was meant to coincide with the meet-up.
It gave gamers discounted fares, set-up a mobile phone charging station and had staff leave virtual lures inside.
"There are definitely more people looking at our exhibits not only at the animals, but the tiny little animals on their screens," said Derek Jang, an assistant manager at the aquarium.
"That said, when it comes to curiosity about nature, anything that gets the conversation started is something we're interested in talking about."
Anther smaller meet-up was planned on Saturday at Queen Elizabeth Park as well as a Pokémon Go after-party at a downtown Vancouver nightclub.
