Fargo's Tic-Tac-Toe Party Unites 100+ Neighbors Downtown

When 100 neighbors gather in a downtown square to play tic-tac-toe together, the real win isn't breaking a record.

On July 29, Broadway Square in Fargo, North Dakota transformed into an outdoor game hall as residents of all ages attempted to break the world record for most people playing tic-tac-toe simultaneously. The current record of 223 players, set in Singapore in 2016, remained intact, but organizers say that missing the mark by a hundred players never mattered.

"Any time the community can get together, we thrive," said Rocky Schneider, executive director of the Downtown Community Partnership. "Whether as complicated as flooding, or as simple as tic-tac-toe, we come together and just have fun with it."

The evening shifted into the largest tournament ever held for Tic STACK Toe, a stacking twist on classic tic-tac-toe invented by retired Fargo entrepreneur Ron Bergan. Bergan had taught the crowd how to play his game earlier that day during a TEDxFargo talk, then joined the evening tournament himself.

Each match began with players shouting "Tic, STACK, Toe!" in unison. Winners advanced closer to the stage while eliminated players cheered on the people who'd beaten them, creating an unusual atmosphere where losing a game meant gaining a friend.

The bracket narrowed to three finalists: one adult and a brother-sister pair of young players. Each walked away with a Tic STACK Toe board and gift cards to The Silver Lining Creamery, with the champion receiving a special gold-colored board.

The Ripple Effect

Every participant age 14 and under took home a free game board. One lucky attendee won a 3D printer in a random drawing, potentially inspiring the next generation of local inventors.

The event drew volunteers from TEDxFargo and Emerging Prairie, with Drekker Brewing serving drinks and free lemonade keeping players refreshed. Classic rock band Green Light Night closed the evening with a free concert at 7 p.m., sending neighbors home with new connections and old melodies.

Organizers are already planning to make the world record attempt an annual tradition as part of ongoing efforts to revitalize downtown Fargo. Sometimes bringing a community together requires nothing more complicated than a simple game, some summer sunshine, and the willingness to gather.