2nd Annual Cowlitz Gamers for Kids Video Game Show

On the heels of last year's successful event, our own John H(swlovinist on 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

I think PMA games lives in kelso.

So is this a mini-portland fest with benefits going to the kids? Looks like we might drive down for the day...

Absolutely.  This show was a smashing success last year.  There will be alot of fun and a great chance to raise some $$$ for CJAC.  I welcome all gamers around who want to attend a "PRGE lite".  It is the offical kick off to the new year filled with some great videogame shows in the Northwest.  I would love to have you attend if you can.  

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.

I was there last year and I will be there again. Easy event if you're close. I just stayed at the Red Lion and went downstairs the morning of the show bought some stuff and bolted. Plenty of restaurants within a mile or so, everything from taco time (take out type stuff) to Red Lobster.

We already have about 10 vendors confirmed. We will have 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.

Just confirmed with John. I will be there promoting the Tetris film. I am hoping to premiere a trailer (not the trailer we did for the contest) for it and project it on a large screen, then maybe do some Q and A. Also maybe a small Tetris contest for fun. And all you gamers, don't worry. I'm not competing in the SMB contest.
Thanks John, I look forward to working with you!

MoeDown and I will be sharing a table. I'll bring the NA Logo and be promoting the GBC Chunkout Title that James, Fris and I produced. Look for some NA love with some VGA

I will have a news update for the show hopefully Sunday....

stay tuned

Yeah, I live literally 2 minutes from the hotel it's being held at.  Last year when I went I brought a couple of people with me that weren't into video games, so they wanted to leave within 15 minutes of getting there.  Maybe I'll stick around for a bit longer this time.

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.

Holy Schnikies! Glad I already took the day off...not that I wasn't going to show anyways...can't wait to see all the west coast NA'ers again!

Just talked to Thor and we are both very excited to be there. Finally a chance to get my revenge in front of an audience!!

Just got confirmation back from HR, for Friday off. I'll be there with bells on!

John and I are working a special project for the event. make sure to be there early and in line

Since I stay at the hotel the show's at I'll be down there first thing Joshy!

ah thanks hottie. maybe some poker the night before?

hey we are in washington... poker afterwords in LaCenter Brave?

What is "LaCenter"? Is that a small town or the actual name of an Indian Casino or something?

haha small town with 3 casinos all gathered. closest casino to me, right across the border (there are also tons of tourneys in Portland)

http://www.thenewphoenixcasino.co...

http://www.retrogamingexpo.com/...

oh man. he may have more talent. but my skin tone is nicer.

The winner will be Watson, the Jeopardy-playing IBM computer. We're getting him too.

;-)

let me just say i wouldn't kick EITHER out of my bed.  hot stuff there!