Retropalooza stepped up its game this year with its Houston-based show at the Pasadena Convention Center held May 25th and 26th 2024.
Although this convention is aimed at retro animation, gaming, and the children of the ’90s, this year they included celebrities such as Ernie Reyes Jr and Brian Tochi who have had decades-spanning careers, that connected to Gen X fandom.
By including Retro Gaming and even a number two pencil break competition, They found a way to appeal to fans of all ages.
Vendors at the show seemed to have expanded their stock as well including wares that appealed to a greater range of fandom of different decades.
Some vendors such as Addie (@adhd_sketcher) took a unique turn with crafted custom works that spanned pop culture from the late 60s to now.
The cosplay contest with lots of fun with fans appearing in costumes from Donkey Kong, Beavis and Butthead, and characters of various animated, gaming, and anime properties. The participants strutted their stuff for the judges and showed their creative side to the attendees at the show.
On Sunday they had a panel with actors connected to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle franchise.
Kenn Scott, Brian Tochi, and Ernie Reyes JR took Time to interact with fans, answer questions, and give some insight into filming the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle movies.
Checking into the show and waiting to get in was a little disorganized, however as this is a new show some growing pains are to be expected. however, keeping the show small and sticking with a local vendor at the convention center for food, as well as free parking, costs were kept pretty low. Visitors to the show had more money to spend at the vendor stations and for celebrity autographs and pictures.
Retropalooza, like Comic Conroe, put effort into putting the fans first and showed that smaller shows can bring in visitors and fans to connect with celebrities whether they be actors or social media Giants.
Retropalooza was held the same weekend as Comicpalooza in Houston and still was able to bring in a pretty decent size crowd.