2nd Annual Cowlitz Gamers for Kids Expo - April 9th Kelso, WA-THOR Aackurland!

[swlovinist]

On the heels of last year's successful event, our own John H.(swlovinist here on the forums) is organizing the 2nd Annual Cowlitz Gamers for Kids Classic Video Game Show on April 9th in Kelso, WA. Last year we helped John raise over $1,300 for the Childrens Justice and Advocacy Center (CJAC) and we're convinced we can do better this year with your help!

PRGE is absorbing much of the cost of putting on this show so that 100% of the admission will go directly to CJAC. It is CJAC's mission to provide children who have experienced sexual or physical abuse a coordinated community approach to investigation, prosecution and treatment that promotes their safety, healing, and well-being. CJAC is operated out of the Cowlitz County Prosecutor's office.

The show will be on Saturday, April 9, 2011 at the Kelso Red Lion Hotel in Kelso, Washington. Kelso is about 1 hour north of Portland or 2 hours south of Seattle on I-5. Doors open at 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM. Admission is a suggested donation of $5 to CJAC, although we invite you to contribute more if you can!

Kelso Red Lion
510 Kelso Dr.
Kelso, WA 98626
See map

What Can you Expect?

The show will be held in a larger ballroom this year rather than being distributed across two smaller rooms as in 2010. Like last year, it will feature classic video game vendors, a freeplay gaming arcade and several video game tournaments throughout the day.

Confirmed vendors include Kelso's own Classics collectibles store, Y-Bot Classic Games, RecycledGamer, AtariCollector.com's Rick Weis and Specialty Gamer. Expect a lot of good deals on classic video game merchandise. In addition to outside video game vendors, there will be T-shirts and other merchandise specifically made for the event that will also be sold specifically to suport CJAC.

In honor of Super Mario recently turning 25 years old this last year, there will be a speed run challenge on Super Mario Brothers 1-1 this year at the event.

The event is child-friendly so please feel free to bring the entire family!

For more information about the Cowlitz Gamers for Kids Classic Video Game Show, please contact (swlovinist) here on the forums.

http://retrogamingexpo.com/kelso

[DTJAAAAMJSLM]

Sounds like my kind of event! I hope to make it out to this year's show.

[swlovinist]

Sounds like my kind of event! I hope to make it out to this year's show.

You are always welcome. Spread the word about this little fun show for a good cause.

[swlovinist]

Update for the show. More vendors have been confirmed. Mary Earisot has graciously donated her time and effort and made a great looking logo. Today I also got a working Apple IIc with Oregon Trail which will be playable at the show. More to come!

[swlovinist]

We already have about 10 vendors confirmed. We will have approx. 17 game systems out to play and enjoy from Pong to Xbox. This really is a fun show, with many great items to be bought from longtime vendors/organizers/friends of PRGE. This has been a dream of mine to host a game show near my hometown, and I have had the support and sponsorship of PRGE to now make it happen. I feel encouraged and excited for this year to be a wonderful event. T-shirts with the new logo will be for sale at the event, all of which goes to CJAC. Stay tuned for more announcements.

[swlovinist]

HUGE NEWS: Thor Aackerlund will be attending the show! Huge thanks for PRGE for sponsoring this to happen, as well as Robin Mihara with coordinating this plan.

We have doubled the size of the venue to accommodate this event. Spread the word! This is a great opportunity to meet a Nintendo legend as well as support a great cause. More details will come.

[swlovinist]

UPDATE ON THE SHOW: Looks like we will have some arcades at the event. Details still need to be confirmed, but almost certain we will have a nice row of some classics at the show. Shirts ordered. and will be black with the new logo. Price will be $10 at the show. Small buttons will be at the show as well, $1 ea. All proceeds of these will go to CJAC. Another vendor confirmed, and the show is only 7 weeks away. Spread the word. Also, if anyone would like to contribute to this fundraiser show and are not able to attend, please PM me. Tax Receipt available to anyone who contributes who cannot attend. Extra Videogame stuff welcome as well. Anything contributed will be sold 100% for CJAC.

[swlovinist]

Update on the show: We are offically full on floor space for the show. Comfirmed that ihavethatpma(nintendoage) will be bringing a nice lot of arcade games for the show. Please spread the word about the show. Anyone who wants to contribute something please PM me. Any Digitpress fans in the area, this will be a nice show to meet up to play some videogames. There will also be a nice variety of vendors with some great items for sale.

[swlovinist]

Nintendoage has graciously sponsored the shirts this year! All proceeds will go to CJAC, and there will be a limited run at the show venue! The show is coming together nicely. If anyone is in the area for this show, you may want to check it out this year. There will be a ton of products to buy as well as viewing a NWC rematch between Thor Aackurland and Robin Mihara!

[swlovinist]

Spread the word, only 9 days left before this show!

http://www.retrogamingexpo.com/cowlitz_gamers_for_kids.php

[swlovinist]

Here are the updates for the tournament trophies and silent auction being held at the event:

http://retrogamingexpo.com/

[recycledgamer]

If you live in Washington or Oregon and are on the fence about this event, you SHOULD check it out. Here's why:

1. It has many of the same vendors as the Portland Retro Gaming Expo, but it's smaller so there is less competition for games.
2. Many of the vendors use it as an opportunity to clear out overstock inventory. There are some DEALS to be had. (For example, I will have a large tote bin full of non-sports NES carts for $1 each at my booth.)
3. It's right on I-5 only 1 hour north of Portland or 2.5 hours sound of Seattle.
4. Plenty of fellow classic gamers to socialize with.
5. You will get to meet and play games against THOR flippin' AACKERLUND and ROBIN freakin' MIHARA. Good god, man! What more could you ask for?

Hope to see you there!
Chuck

[coreys429]

Yeah I know what you mean about the clearing the overstock. I will have grab bags of PS2, PS1, Xbox games for $5. 5 PS2 games in a bag for $5. 10 PS1 games for $5. and 5 Xbox Games for $5. They are loose but I have 38 different bags. I will also have a bunch of boxed games from Atari 2600, NES, N64, Sega Gensis, Super Nintendo, Master System, and many more. I am adding one thing to the list....its going towards a good cause.

[swlovinist]

I am really, really very thankful for all the support, and thank all the contributors, vendors, and people who will make this charity event rock! Stay tuned later this day for a little preview of what is going to be sold for charity.

[swlovinist]

http://s268.photobucket.com/albums/jj28/swlovinist/Cowlitz%20Gamers%20for%20Kids%202011/

Here is a preview of what the shirts and autographed carts look like. Both are $10 ea. Extras will be sold online and Cart #1 will be auctioned on Nintendoage. All proceeds of these items are going to Charity.

[DigitalSpace]

Late notice, but I'll be able to make it as I hoped. See you guys later today!

[Wookie]

My thanks to everyone who put on this show. I came home with 2 big bags of $1 NES games, a few other collection fillers, and one of the cool autographed carts. How much money did the show raise for the CJAC?

[rick weis]

How much money did the show raise for the CJAC?

our website shows over 2750.00 double what we did last year! fun Show, had a great time!

Rick

[swlovinist]

I would like to thank all who have helped this show be both successful fundraiser and a fun time. I look forward to helping put on another show next year. Thank you friends for being such awesome supporters of the event, a special thanks to PRGE.