The con that promises to keep those childhood memories rad was back! Yestercon was once again held in Carson, California, on Sunday, August 6, 2017, at the Carson Center. Sponsored by 8-Bit Zombie, Royce’s Arcade, Pinhead Co., and Geeks of the Galaxy, over 40 vendors and creators congregated in the center’s main auditorium, where each aisle was bursting with toys, collectibles, comics, video games, and anime representing many of the franchises we love: Star Wars, Power Rangers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, just to name a few.
Nowadays, cons regularly schedule media guests, and Yestercon was no exception. For this year’s event, attendees could meet Steve Nazar, Keith Coogan, Greg Berg, and Chance Raspberry. Or, if you happen to be a fan of Power Rangers, then this was the place to be; Carla Perez, Brennan Mejia, Tracy Lynn Cruz, Ciara Hanna, and Christopher Khayman Lee were all available to sign photos and other memorabilia. Carlos Alazraqui, who voiced Rocko of Rocko’s Modern Life, was spotlighted during the early afternoon with one of two panels offered at the con. The other panel held later in the day, brought the Power Rangers guests together to talk about their work in the franchise.
Throughout the day, attendees could pose in front of themed backgrounds such as Super Mario Bros., light sabers, or pretend to be a character in a toy package. There was even a photo booth where you could incorporate props – large, funky sunglasses, oversized boom boxes, and the like – to create keepsake photo strips. This was a popular spot and a con favorite.
Video games were part of the childhood experience for many of us, so what better way to recapture some of those youthful moments but with a collection of arcade cabinets that enticed adults and youths with opportunities to play Q*bert, Galaga, Phoenix, and a handful of other games. For the courageous, the Nintendo Championship Competition was back. Approximately 35 brave souls took turns to play the original 1990 NWC cartridge; each participant had 4 – 5 minutes to earn the highest score possible. The winner racked up an impressive 191,000 score, walking away with not only bragging rights, but an NES system!
In the courtyard leading into the auditorium, there were about a dozen tables where attendees could rest their feet. For younger children, there were fun toys and activities they could play. In addition, there was a carnival games area. If hunger struck, then Yestercon did it right. They had a caterer set up, offering Mexican cuisine, which smelled and looked pretty darn delicious!
Rounding out the activities, Yestercon also put on a trivia contest, as well as a cosplay contest and a raffle drawing, every 30 minutes throughout the event. Probably the best costume seen on the floor at the con that broke the adorable-ness barometer: a daddy shark with his young shark. Priceless!
Check out the Yestercon gallery of photos at Fanbase Press Facebook page.
