Since 2012, the MegaMind PubQuiz has entertained and enlightened local residents and visitors with its up-to-date trivia, said founder and organizer Colleen McGinn.
“When Malia Denali and I started this 13 years ago, we were just trying to think of an idea of something fun for people to do at night,” she said. “At that time both of us were working at Wasatch Brew Pub and wondering how to get more business. We thought we couldn’t go wrong with two educated ladies putting on a trivia night.”
Since then, MegaMind has built a reputation as a fun and interesting event that gives people a glimpse of local charm, McGinn said.
“You’ll get the regulars, but you also get a lot of tourists,” she said. “Tourists have fun and are a big part of this because it gives them the feeling of being part of Park City culture.”
One recent group of tourists were renowned comedian Kevin Nealon and his family, who attended one of the sessions at the Escala Provisions Company at the Hyatt Centric Park City.
“They had the best time, and then they won,” McGinn said.
Winners usually get a gift certificate and their photo on MegaMind’s social-media platforms.
“So, I was able to take Kevin Nealon’s photo, without looking like a crazy fan,” McGinns said with a laugh. “I’ve always thought MegaMind is pretty cool, but Kevin Nealon definitely brought our cool factor up a little bit.”
While McGinn loves fostering tourists and locals through MegaMind, there is one result that kind of took her by surprise — romance.
McGinn has seen the love bug bite couples who regularly attend MegaMind PubQuiz throughout the years, and these aren’t just flash-in-the-pan, seasonal romances.
“Two of my friends, who have been attending for a while, built a house together,” she said. “So, to see them build home and life together is so impressive.”
Sometimes McGinn, who has become friends with many of the MegaMind PubQuiz players, runs into couples at the store.
“I see them around town. Sometimes I see couples, and I’m like, ‘Wait. You guys are together, now?’” she said with a laugh.
Three couples — Durst and Cassidy Breneiser, Amy and Paul Von Koch and Stephanie Gould and Ken Loresch — took time to tell their stories.
The Breneisers are triathletes, and Durst, who lived in Park City, introduced Cassidy, who was a Salt Laker to MegaMind PubQuiz.
“Meeting our friend groups for the first time felt like a delicate dance in ways (because) the perfect venue, day, activity etc., is a decision a lot of folks dwell over quite a bit,” Durst said. “For me it was a simple choice to introduce (Cassidy) to my core group of friends, Megamind Pubquiz.”
Durst’s friends have been going to the PubQuiz for years.
“It was a stress free, fun activity where you can work as a team, enjoy company, tell stories, have good food and all,” he said.
MegaMind was also a safe zone for all involved and a weekly activity that Cassidy easily became one of the regulars, according to Durst.
“This proved to be the beginning of a great romance with a marriage at the Church of Dirt in true Park City fashion,” he said.
Amy Van Koch, shared a similar story.
“When (Paul) and I first started dating, MegaMind quickly became one of our favorite ways to spend time together,” she said. “It was the perfect low-pressure environment — a fun, lively space where we could be ourselves, laugh and team up without the awkwardness of a traditional date night.”
Van Koch also felt the MegaMind PubQuiz was a safe zone for dating.
“It gave us something to focus on together, sparked great conversations and even created a little friendly competition,” she said. “Over time, it turned into a weekly tradition we looked forward to, and it’s still something we love doing together now, even into our marriage. It’s more than just trivia — it’s a little piece of our story.”
Gould and Loresch met a little differently through MegaMind PubQuiz.
“It was one of those golden evenings in Heber, the kind that makes you want to stay out just a little longer,” Gould remembered. “A few friends and I decided to meet up at Heber Valley Brewing Company, a favorite local spot — laid-back, cozy and always buzzing with good vibes.”
Gould was there for a MegaMind session and wasn’t looking for “anything special.”
“But fate had other plans,” she said.
Before they even ordered, Gould’s friend, Ryan Williams, a chef at the Riverhorse on Main, insisted they check out the food truck parked outside.
While Gould thought the Soup’r Cheesy van that served hand-crafted, grilled-cheese sandwiches was cool, it was the person inside that caught her eye — and breath.
“Behind the window, taking orders with the easiest, most contagious smile I’d ever seen,” she said. “When it was my turn, I tried to act casual, but I could already feel myself grinning like an idiot. He asked what I wanted, and before I could even look at the menu, I blurted out, “‘What’s your cheesiest thing?”’
Loresch replied, “You mean besides me?”
“Game over,” Gould said. “I was hooked. Now every time I pass Heber Valley Brewing or see a grilled cheese, I can’t help but think: ‘best night ever.’”
McGinn says she never expected this whole romance aspect of MegaMind PubQuiz, but when she looks back, it makes sense.
“Dating in general can be awkward because sometimes you don’t know what to say and things like that,” she said. “But MegaMind helps guide conversations with all the topics we cover. It’s like an icebreaker, and throughout the night you find out a little more about the person and find you have more in common than you realize. It really is a safe space for people to be themselves, learn something new and dabble in a little romance if the heart desires.”
While McGinn doesn’t know if new relationships will materialize during the next few months, she does know that summer is a season of love.
“When I think of summer time, I think of romance,” she said. “You’re watching sunsets. You’re swimming in lakes. You’re camping under the stars. And I think MegaMind is another place where sparks can fly. I want people to come and feel welcome. I want them to take something away at the end of the night — a new fun fact or a partner — because I love being a part of someone’s love story. I don’t mind playing Cupid.”
MegaMind PubQuiz regularly hosts the following sessions:
- First Wednesday of each month from 7-9 p.m. at Heber Valley Brewing Company
- Every third Thursday of the month from 7-9 p.m. at Escala Provisions at the Hyatt Centric (family friendly)
- Once a month on a Tuesday, which changes month from month, from 7-9 p.m. at the Homestead Resort in Midway (family friendly)
- In addition, MegaMind PubQuiz is available for corporate events. For information, visit facebook.com/megaMIND.pubQUIZ or instagram.com/megamindpubquiz.