My GO Fest Story: Chicago 2018 - Flight, Freedom & Pelipper

In 2017, I left GO Fest Chicago sunburnt, disappointed, and emotionally exhausted. But I also left determined. If I ever got another chance, I’d do it differently. That chance came in 2018. Tickets were once again hard to get, and I was lucky to be selected. I chose the very first day of the event, knowing full well that if anything went wrong, it wouldn’t be fixed until Day 2. Part of me was still nervous. But I was also ready.

And this time, I flew.

“First time flying. I imagined myself dancing on the clouds.”

It was my first time on a plane, and I remember staring out the window, imagining myself dancing across the clouds. It felt symbolic like I was rising above everything that had gone wrong the year before. I had packed better, planned better, and let myself hope again.

GO Fest 2018 was held in Lincoln Park, and from the moment I walked in, I could feel the difference. The biomes were beautifully designed, not just in-game, but in real life. Decorated habitats matched their Pokémon types, and the entire perimeter was lined with past Pokémon GO loading screens, like walking through a living memory lane.

“Every biome was alive with color, detail, and Pokémon.”

This year, the game worked. I participated in Special Research, enjoyed spawns like Unown, and hunted Shiny Pokemon among trainers from around the world. It was like Niantic was trying to make things right and it showed. I also 

Before leaving Chicago, I made one wish. I wanted a Hundo. Just one perfect Pokémon to remember the trip by. And I got it. A Hundo Wingull, hatched from one of the special event eggs on my way out of the city. It might not sound special to everyone but to me, it was everything. I’m a Hundo collector, and Wingull had always been one of my favorite Pokémon from Ruby and Sapphire. When I evolved it into Pelipper, it became more than just a 100%. It became a souvenir I could carry forever.

“It hatched right before I left Chicago. That moment still means everything.”

Last year, I made the mistake of visiting Chicago only for Pokemon GO. However, this year was different. I wasn’t just playing, but I was also living. I made time for sightseeing, building out an itinerary filled with everything I didn’t do the year before. I visited Navy Pier (where I had popcorn and saw the Ferris wheel), took a boat tour of the lakefront, and walked through a city overflowing with history and baseball fields, something I didn’t expect coming from Dallas. I even visited Willis Tower, though I’ll be honest…it wasn’t worth the wait.

“Chicago has more open baseball fields than I’ve ever seen.”

I also found myself stopping constantly to take photos of the decorated lighthouses scattered throughout the city. Each one was painted differently, and their creativity caught my eye every time. I didn’t know what they meant or why they were there, but they felt like gentle reminders that I was walking in the right direction, not just through Chicago, but with Pokémon GO. I wasn’t lost anymore. I was learning to explore again. And unlike the year before, this time I actually met Mystic7, not just spotted him from a distance. It felt like another small full-circle moment, a reminder of how much more present I felt.

“Decorated lighthouses dotted the city. They caught my eye every time.”

One of the biggest highlights was attending the Silph Road party. A few of my friends and I showed up not knowing what to expect but it ended up being the first small group that would return with me to GO Fests in the future. We played arcade games, laughed, and shared that electric feeling of knowing you weren’t alone in loving this strange, beautiful game.

“The first time I felt like part of a real Pokémon GO circle.”

I may have traveled solo, but I didn’t feel alone anymore. I was part of something. I was building a story and a community that would keep growing. GO Fest 2018 wasn’t about revenge for 2017. It was about rediscovery of the game, of the city, and of who I could be when I gave myself the space to explore. And somewhere in that space, beneath all the loading screens and light towers and cloudy skies, I found a Pelipper. And a piece of myself, too.

If you're reading this, chances are Pokémon has touched your life too. Maybe it gave you a friend, a goal, a place to belong. I’d love to hear your story.

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💡 Tips for First-Time GO Fest Attendees (From 2018 Me):

• Sightsee. Don’t make it just about the game. See the city, even if it’s one landmark or museum.

• Be weather-ready. Chicago can flip fast. Cooling towels, portable fans, and backup clothes will save your day.

• Hunt for your own keepsake. A perfect Pokémon, a great AR photo, a moment with friends. Let that be your treasure.

• Say yes to small things. Arcade games, unexpected invites, stopping for popcorn. Sometimes those are the memories that last.

• If you’re solo, don’t stay silent. Introduce yourself. Someone else may be waiting for a friend, too.