Clare Chamber Launches “Pokemon Go: Gotta Catch ’Em All in Clare!” Map

The Clare Area Chamber of Commerce created a map, which includes the locations of every Poke’ Stop and Poke’ Gym in the City of Clare. It turns out that there is a combined total of 90 Poke’ Stops/Poke’ Gyms within city limits, making Clare a hotspot for the tremendously popular game. For those unfamiliar with Pokemon Go, it is a game that uses your cellphone’s GPS and clock to detect where and when you are playing the game and make Pokemon “appear” around you (on your cellphone screen) so you can go and catch them. The idea is to encourage people to travel around the real world to catch Pokemon in the game.

“Pokemon Go: Gotta Catch ’Em All in Clare!,” the brainchild of Damon DuBois, chamber executive director, was created to offer Pokemon Go players an accurate map of Poke’ Stops/Poke’ Gyms and provide a safe recreational experience during the Covid-19 pandemic while enhancing commerce in Clare and surrounding areas. The map was designed by Clare Area Chamber of Commerce Marketing Specialist Liz Crafton.

“I’m a Pokemon Go player myself, and, after witnessing an increase of people playing the game in Clare, the idea just came to me,” said DuBois. “When the Covid-19 pandemic hit the U.S., the amount of money Pokemon Go players spent on the game increased by 70%, which makes sense as the game can be played while complying with guidelines set forth by the government. We’ve received a tremendous amount of support from local business and a phenomenal response on our chamber Facebook page.”

A map release party will take place from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1 at Cops and Doughnuts-Clare City Bakery, 521 N. McEwan St. The event is free and Pokemon Go players have a chance to win over a hundred prizes. The Clare Chamber also put bounties on certain Pokemon. For example, the Pokemon Go player that catches the “Highest CP Pokemon” during the event will receive $100. Game rules and a list of additional prizes can be found on the Clare Area Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page under events: Pokemon Go: Gotta Catch ’Em All in Clare!”