Nerd-filled fun: 85 vendors gather for Raleigh Retro Gamers' Summer Expo on Saturday
The Raleigh Retro Gamers' Summer Expo is almost upon us.
The expo will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 17, at Moore Square Park in downtown Raleigh.
WRAL News was at the RRG's Spring Kickoff in April, which had over 20 vendors and collectors set up at Heyday Brewing to sell video games. During this weekend's event, residents can expect more than triple the vendors.
Two of the vendors, Retroid Games & Records in Winston-Salem and Hidden Block Games in Raleigh, will be not only vendors at the event, but sponsors for the festivities as well.
Other vendors who will be setting up shop include:
- Limited Run Games: Located at 107 South Endinburgh Drive, Unit 211, in Cary, Limited Run opened their doors last year. The shop specializes in creating physical copies of digital games. The shop has even worked in collaboration with larger companies like Konami and LucasArts.
- Replay Vintage: Tucked away inside Triangle Town Center in Raleigh, Replay Vintage sells vintage everything, ranging from video games and consoles to vintage shirts. Most recently, they partnered with the Raleigh Retro Gamers to host a Super Smash Bros. Tournament inside their store.
- Red Finds Games: Most recently seen at Animazement with their own booth, Red Finds Games sells everything from Pokemon cards, video games, plushes and even 3D-printed items.
- Boxucan: This is the service for any anime lover. Boxucan allows people to get customized boxes featuring the purchaser's favorite anime season or series, an extra anime product and personalized notes as to why they chose those items for you.
- ClassiX Rare and Retro: This expo isn't just limited to sellers in the Triangle. Located in Jacksonville, ClassiX sells retro video games, trading card games and collectibles. The shop also has a seven-day guarantee on purchases. If you hold on to your receipt and something is wrong with the product, they will fix, replace or refund your purchase.
Beyond just video game store fronts, the expo will feature various arts and crafts vendors:
- 8-Bit Stitch: Beginning as an Etsy shop in 2013, this seller specializes in cross-stitch artwork based around 8-bit graphics. They also stream their cross-stitch creations on the streaming platform, Twitch.
- Twitchy Stitchy: This sellers stitches together everything, from knitted hats and patches to bags and towels, all with a bit of nerdy flare.
And for people looking for something with some modern touches, the expo will have some things for you as well:
- Phynix PCs: Like the bird it's referencing, these computers are white-hot. Launched from the ashes of Artesian Builds, Phynix creates custom-made PCs meant to deliver the power your top-modern titles need to run at their fullest potential at price points for every gamer.
In total, between storefronts, arts and crafts sellers and individuals with a passion for gaming and retro, there will be 85 vendors selling merchandise and products during the expo.
RRG said there is one more vendor that hasn't been released as attending the event.
WRAL News asked who the vendor is, but RRG would not say, only confirming that it is one of three biggest gaming companies in the world and they will be set up next to the gaming stations, where you can nerd out on your favorite games from retro consoles like the Atari to modern staples like the Nintendo Switch.
But it won't just be gaming vendors at the event available. Jeff Thomas, a founding member of RRG, said their will be at least seven food trucks available during the six-hour expo.
- Golden K Dog: Raleigh first Korean corn dog truck
- Hollywood Taco: So-Cal Comfort food
- JAM Ice Cream: The area's only soft-serve mobile ice cream parlor.
- Cilantro Mexican Cuisine: Food truck out of Durham serving Mexican cuisine.
- The Naked Empanada: They may be naked, but they are stuffed full with delicious flavors like they "Tequila Lime Chicken" or "The Shroom."
- A Little Salt & Pepper: A food truck that handles everything from flatbread pizza to Philly cheese steaks to wraps.
- Sunset Slush Dlo: Frozen slushies to get you ready for the summer.
Thomas said there will be a few more food vendors added by Saturday, giving attendees 10 choices to get their grub on.
There will also be live entertainment during the event, with music from artists Fuchsia City, the Ashley LaRue Band, Stage Select and DJ Rickey Smith.
And if you think the fun ends at 4 p.m., you're mistaken. In Knightdale, Rewind Retro Bar will be hosting people for an after party that runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday is slated to make you feel like you are in gamer heaven, just make sure you have an extra life to keep the party going.
