Downtown Fargo falls short of tic-tac-toe record, but draws 100+ for community event

More than 100 people gathered at Broadway Square in downtown Fargo on July 29 for a world-record attempt for the most people playing tic-tac-toe at once. The record held, but organizers say the event still delivered a big turnout, a tournament and a downtown boost.

Why it matters: - The event aimed to turn a simple game into a downtown draw, and organizers said the turnout showed that community events can help bring people back to Broadway Square. - The attempt missed the current world record of 223 simultaneous players, set in Singapore in 2016, but the crowd still made the day one of the largest civic gatherings tied to Tic STACK Toe.

What happened: - More than 100 people собрались at Broadway Square in downtown Fargo on Wednesday, July 29, for a world-record attempt for the most people playing tic-tac-toe at the same time. - The world record remained unbroken. - Rocky Schneider, executive director of the Downtown Community Partnership, said the event reflected how the community comes together around shared challenges and fun. - After the record attempt, the event shifted into the largest Tic STACK Toe tournament held to date.

The details: - Tic STACK Toe is a stacking twist on classic tic-tac-toe invented by retired Fargo entrepreneur Ron Bergan. - Bergan attended the event and played several rounds against other participants. - Matches were best-of-three. - Each round began with a crowd-wide shout of “Tic, STACK, Toe!” - Winners moved to tables closer to the stage. - Eliminated players stayed engaged by cheering for the people who beat them. - The tournament drew a mix of ages and turned into a steady flow of matchups and conversation. - The final bracket came down to three players: one adult and a brother-and-sister pair of young players. - The top three finishers each received a Tic STACK Toe board and a gift card to The Silver Lining Creamery. - The first-place winner received a gold-colored board. - All participants age 14 and under received a free Tic STACK Toe board. - One attendee won a 3D printer from LulzBot in a random prize drawing. - Drekker Brewing served drinks on site. - Free lemonade, snacks and water were available throughout the evening.

Between the lines: - The event blended competition with civic branding, using a playful world-record attempt to create a reason for people to gather downtown. - TEDxFargo helped set the stage earlier in the day when Bergan appeared on the TEDxFargo stage to teach the audience how to play Tic STACK Toe. - Organizers are treating the event as both entertainment and a downtown revitalization tactic, not just a one-night tournament.

What's next: - Organizers said they plan to make the world record attempt an annual tradition. - The broader effort is tied to ongoing work to bring more people back to downtown Fargo. - The evening ended at 7 p.m. with a free concert from David Snyder and Green Light Night, a classic rock cover band, in Broadway Square. - TEDxFargo 2026, themed “Charge,” was held at Brewhalla in downtown Fargo. - TEDxFargo has operated in the Fargo-Moorhead community since 2012 under a TED license and is curated by Emerging Prairie. - Tic STACK Toe is available at Scheels, Sons of Norway, Minn-Dak Market and online at ticstacktoe.com.