Pokemon Go Meetups Planned at The Bean, Lincoln Park Zoo This Weekend

Chicago, IL - Pokemon Go has taken the nation by storm since last week, when Nintendo released the free app to users, who have responded with turning the endeavor into a market value worth billions.

Loyal fans have been using their phones to search for the creatures, and meet-ups have been planned to collaborate.

A pair of events at prominent Chicago locations this weekend are expected to draw thousands.
More than 22,000 people on Facebook plan to meet at The Bean in Millennium Park at 2 p.m. on Sunday for what was called the “first ever” meet-up for Pokemon fans.

But a similar, smaller meet-up is planned the day before at Lincoln Park Zoo, possibly usurping The Bean plan as the “first ever” in Chicago. Pokemon Go players will look for the hidden finds from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Zoo.

DNAinfo Chicago reported first on both the meetup at The Bean (which was organized first) and the Lincoln Park Zoo event, which is “only” expected to draw a few thousand, although more than 10,000 claim they are interested in that event as well.

Sam Guerrero is organizing the meet-up at The Bean.

He told DNAinfo Pokemon Go is “an instant conversation starter.”

"It brings people that would just normally play Pokémon inside outdoors,” he said.

On Facebook, Guerrero and other organizers urge participants to “wear anything Pokemon related.”

“Just so everyone knows we are true Pokemon masters. You are more than welcome to bring a 3ds, cards, or what have you, BONUS points if you cosplay.”