BEDFORD — If you’ve noticed groups of people intensely staring into the bushes at Murray Forest Park around 4:00 p.m. lately, don’t panic. They aren’t looking for lost keys—they are hunting for Charizard.
What started as a fun family pastime has officially erupted into a community-wide phenomenon, thanks to Bedford resident Christopher Mayo, his wife, and their kids. Together, the Mayo crew runs One Pack No Excuses, a daily community initiative that turns local parks and small businesses into real-world Pokémon adventures.
The goal? Simple. Get kids off screens, get families outside, and bring collectors of all ages together for some pure, nostalgic fun.
The Daily 4:15 Rush
The rules of the game are precise. Rain or shine, the Mayo family hides a stash of Pokémon cards around local parks—most frequently Murray Forest Park—at roughly 3:30 p.m. By 4:00 p.m., a crowd of eager kids, teens, parents, and hardcore adult collectors begins to gather.
Then, at exactly 4:15 p.m., the whistle blows, and the hunt is officially on. Today is a 30-card hunt at Murray Park.
A huge shoutout to today’s sponsors, Coffee & Monsters, for making it happen. Also, don’t forget to check out Titan Game & Hobby for all things TCG and Anime.
Over the past month, the group has hosted these high-energy events nearly every single day, missing only two dates. The daily hunts have quickly become a staple for local families looking to inject a little adventure into their weekday afternoons. In fact, the hype has reached such heights that even our very own local familiar face, Jeremy Newbold, has been spotted joining in on the daily action!
An operation this active requires a serious supply of cards, and local businesses are stepping up to power the craze. One Pack No Excuse is currently backed by Titan Game & Hobby and Bedford’s newest hotspot, Coffee & Monsters. Mayo credits Coffee & Monsters for being absolutely instrumental in keeping the prize inventory stocked, though he notes he’d love to get even more local shops on board.
But the fun isn’t just limited to the parks. For those who love a good brain teaser, Mayo orchestrates a bi-weekly “Clue Hunt” across Bedford.
For these high-stakes hunts, a higher-value card is hidden somewhere in town, and Mayo drops two cryptic clues a day on the group’s Facebook page. One recent head-scratcher read: “I’m in the middle of Graceland and Dollywood.” The puzzle successfully sent clever sleuths scrambling into a local shop, where they successfully found the card tucked neatly between Elvis Presley and Dolly Parton vinyl records.
Boosting the Community, One Pack at a Time
The initiative is proving to be a massive win-win for the town. Not only are kids trading screen time for green time, but the newly introduced themed hunts are designed to drive foot traffic directly into local storefronts, where winners can redeem special prizes in-store.
And if you can’t make it out to the parks in person? Mayo has you covered with daily giveaways on the One Pack No Excuse Facebook page, shipping out sealed booster packs so that everyone can participate in the fun, regardless of their schedule.
“I truly believe this is a feel-good, community-driven story,” Mayo said, reflecting on the resurgence of Pokémon culture in town. “Everyone is always welcome to join.”
If you’re ready to channel your inner Ash Ketchum, lace up your running shoes and head over to the One Pack No Excuse Facebook page to track the clues, check daily hiding spots, and join the next great Bedford safari.
