I played the world’s largest laser tag arena on Laser Tag Day! Being able to have this experience was the main reason I anchored my trip in the Midwest. I have been to the EDGE 618 on Belleville, IL a couple of times before, but playing a unique arena like this, which is completely unlike any other, was well worth making a visit on this day meant to celebrate the industry.
It was a delight to visit with owners Keith and Mary Schell who have been so hospitable to me whenever I visit this site. My last occasion to be here was when they hosted me for a Tag 4 A Cause event. Keith and I enjoyed some time to catch up over fried cheese curds (a specialty in their restaurant served with a raspberry sauce) while discussing laser tag and life. Then we made the visit official as I joined the first game of the night headed into the over 14,000 square foot arena that Keith designed himself. It is pretty amazing to play here knowing it has this special distinction.
Since my last visit, they have implemented a video briefing appearing on multiple monitors with a storyline theme to set the stage as you leave planet earth and are made to feel like you are on a spaceship bound for the Pandora Forest. They produced it with their own staff demonstrating the gear inside their own arena, so it was more interesting to watch than just the standard LF briefing video.
The first game of the night was a game of Masters with a group of players who had clearly been here before and had some experience, which was a great way to start.
This arena is massive in a way that you really have to experience firsthand! Its size makes it not only a particularly cool space to explore, but it also challenges me every time to find the various elements. Case in point…my pack reminded me “don’t forget the crystal target” and I commented to a fellow player that “don’t forget” is not the same as “I can’t remember where it is, lol!
Upon entering there is an area with towers and ramps and a painted design that helps you navigate as you are looking for the bases and traversing the space.
However, there is a bridge you cross to enter the other half of the arena, which is where I feel the magic really happens. The Pandora Forest evokes an otherworldly feeling that is so different from any other arena I have played anywhere else.
The neon mushroom trees tower high above you if you are on the lower level and you will want to look for targets in the trees for sure!
And speaking of trees, the most distinctive structure in the entire arena has got to be this gigantic tree with a trunk that is large enough to enter, tag around and through and even peek out the windows as you get to the top!
Together we waved the Laser Tag Day banner from the treetop as players were engaged in the game going on all around us. Mary and I smiled for the pics while Keith was picking off players from this vantage point of height…love it!
We swapped a few tags from the bridge as well.
And if you were looking closely during that game you would have found us heralding Laser Tag Day from atop the catwalk.
I love that Keith and Mary got into the fun on this day! And so did everyone else. We created a little spectacle by taking our commemorative photos during the game, but anyone who was playing during that session was certainly now aware that they too were playing laser tag on International Laser Tag Day and that is a pretty cool way to mark the occasion!
My thanks for the invitation to play here on Laser Tag Day. I always thoroughly enjoy getting to tag in the world’s largest laser tag arena at The EDGE!
Comments or Questions?
Contact: Tivia@tiviachickloveslasertag.com
Websites: www.tiviachickloveslasertag.com
