POKÉCON MAKES A SPLASH!

Did you ever want to be the very best, like no one ever was? Since 1998, Pokémon has been a cultural phenomenon that has entranced entire generations with its enormous selection of colorful creatures.

This year, the Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana partnered with Pokécon to expand the event and help appeal to a wider age range.
 
On Saturday, September 14 at 10 a.m., the West Monroe Convention Center opened its doors to a rush of Pokémon fans, both young and old.

Alongside the “old guard” of fans who remember the blocky, simple sprites of the older games, a new generation of younger fans have grown up hearing stories about the fantastical world of Pokémon from siblings, friends, and now even parents who played the first games on their old Game Boy Colors.
 
Pokécon attracted both groups with unique activities, many of which appealed to children and adults alike. One room in the convention center housed vendor booths and a play area with toys and games for small children, while another was filled with tables to host various card game tournaments.

Among the vendors were cosplayers, people who dress as characters from games, movies, books, and TV shows.
 
While two professional cosplayers attended the convention, dozens of fans performed their own cosplays, with various levels of detail.

Some dressed as Pokémon trainers, complete with Pokémon plushies in hand and poké balls on their waists, while others dressed as their favorite Pokémon. Finally, some fans chose characters from other games and shows to cosplay.

Whatever their character or series, fans eagerly asked for pictures with the cosplayers, who were more than happy to oblige.
 
Many of the vendors and fans noted how they liked coming to conventions to interact with people who share their love of games, cartoons, comics and the characters and stories that fill them.

One vendor selling Pokémon themed macarons, Violet Sprinkles, described how the convention shows the growth of the individuals as well as the series. “We’re here celebrating things that were made fun of when we were kids,” she said.
 
Among the activities featured that were geared towards smaller children were arts and crafts, such as building a lightsaber out of a pool noodle, a Fortnite dance contest and painting their own Pikachu pictures. Children's Coalition on the Go was on site with activities for children under three. 

Focused more towards teens and adults were events such as the cosplayer Q&A, where the convention’s professional cosplayers answered questions about costume design and performance, and the tabletop room, where attendees were invited to play dungeons & dragons style board games.

Finally, the tournaments brought together both age groups in a test of who was the greatest Pokémon master in attendance.
 
Pokécon was created 4 years ago by Nathan + Sarah Tremaine, and it began as a much smaller event almost exclusively focused on Pokémon and its fandom. But over the years, Pokécon has expanded to include video games, television series and other card and tabletop games besides just Pokémon.

This year, Tremaine reached out to the Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana to further expand the event, and specifically, offer more activities and workshops that appeal to younger fans. Through this partnership with Pokécon, the Children’s Coalition raised $4,000!
 
Today, Pokécon offers a wide range of activities and merchandise that is surely still growing, and any fan, young or old, will feel most welcomed by the diverse community of Pokémon trainers!