IDAHO FALLS — Idaho Falls Retro X2 is returning for its second year to celebrate pop culture.
The two-day Comic Con-style and family-friendly event will take place May 3 and 4 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Idaho Falls Elks Lodge No. 1087, at 640 E. Elva Street. More than 70 vendors will be selling vintage and retro collectibles, toys, comics, video games and more.
“We have all kinds of different fandoms represented,” said Phillip Langston, who is co-creator of Retro X, along with Brandon Kimball.
The items for sale will range from ’80s toys — including “Star Wars,” “Transformers,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” “Masters of the Universe” and “GI Joe” — to more modern toys such as “Marvel Legends,” Funko Pop! and Plushies. Some vendors will be selling vintage video games, consoles and accessories from Nintendo and SEGA, as well as modern gaming systems.
Advertisement
Adam Forsgren, EastIdahoNews.com file photoAdam Forsgren, EastIdahoNews.com file photo
There will be 3D-printed items, leather work, whimsical crafts, crocheted stuffies, sports and non-sports trading cards, LEGO, die-cast cars and a wide variety of anime collectibles.
“Last year, we had in an eight-hour show that was grass-roots marketing. We literally had four months to put it together. We ended up with 2,300 people,” Langston said of the event, which was first held at the Idaho Falls Rec Center. “It was packed.”
RELATED | Fans celebrate pop culture, nostalgia at Idaho Falls Retro X (2023)Community members at Retro X. | Courtesy Phillip Langston
This year, the convention will be in a new location and feature two celebrity guests who have never been to east Idaho — Kathy Garver and Stephanie Nadolny.
Langston said Garver has been in the movie industry since she was little and that people at the event will best know her for being the voice of Firestar in “Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends.” Nadolny voiced Goku and Gohan as well as other characters for the “Dragon Ball Z” T.V. series, video game and movies.
“(Nadolny) was rated in the top-10 best guests for anime because she also sings. So she’ll go up on stage and sing anime songs, and (it) gets people excited,” Langston said. “She is going to bring a lot of energy.”
Jeff Cox, “Garbage Pail Kids” sketch artist, will also be at the convention.
Advertisement
“He’s a really awesome artist,” Langston said. “He’ll be there signing ‘Garbage Pail Kids’ stuff.”
The event will have a tattoo artist, a panel room, the 501st Legion “Star Wars” costuming group, characters from Storybook Parties Idaho and food vendors.
A cosplay contest will also be held with over $2,000 in cash and prizes being given away. Those interested in participating in the cosplay contest are asked to sign up online for the contest. Three local professional cosplayers will be the judges of the contest.
“I hope (people) have a really good time and learn there’s all kinds of different things out there to enjoy,” Langston mentioned.
He hopes the community will continue to support this event, as they want to bring in a bigger celebrity next year but can only do so if they have the community’s support.
Advertisement
Tickets to the event are $10 per person (children 10 and under are free) or $20 daily for a family pass. You’ll receive $2 off your ticket if you bring a can of food with you to donate to the Idaho Falls Community Food Basket, or tickets can be bought online here.
Children on stage at Retro X. | Courtesy Phillip LangstonAdam Forsgren, EastIdahoNews.com file photo
=htmlentities(get_the_title())?>%0D%0A%0D%0A=get_permalink()?>%0D%0A%0D%0A=htmlentities(‘For more stories like this one, be sure to visit https://www.eastidahonews.com/ for all of the latest news, community events and more.’)?>&subject=Check%20out%20this%20story%20from%20EastIdahoNews” class=”fa-stack jDialog”>
GARDEN CITY – A Boise-area girl is competing in the 2026 Junior Ranger Competition, and she needs your vote to advance.
Eleven-year-old Cali Lindsay of Garden City is currently in the top 10 in her age group. The first place contestant in each group will advance to the semi-finals, which will wrap on July 17.
The final round concludes on July 24. The winner will be awarded $20,000 and be featured on the cover of Ranger Rick Magazine. They’ll also win a trip with Jeff Corwin.
Cali’s mom, Emily Edginton, tells EastIdahoNews.com how the competition works.
Advertisement
“You’re allowed one free vote every 24 hours. People can also pay (to vote),” Edginton says. “The contestants have challenges every week to learn about animals and share what they’ve learned. People vote for the answer they like best. If you have enough votes, you move to the next round.”
Cali needs to secure enough votes by Thursday in order to advance to the next round.
The competition is a fundraiser for the National Wildlife Federation, the largest private, nonprofit conservation education and advocacy organization in the United States.
Edginton says they recently moved to Idaho from San Bernardino, California. Her daughter acquired a love of wildlife living in Lytle Creek, a community near the San Gabriel Mountains and San Bernardino National Forest.
“She’s already like a junior ranger. We picked up trash (in the forest) for fun,” Edginton says. “We try to keep it clean because we get a lot of visitors up there in the summertime and they trash the place. It affects the animals.”
Advertisement
Edginton says they moved to Idaho in February to be closer to family.
She’s grateful her daughter can be part of what she feels is a great cause, and hopes to see her advance, and even win the tournament.
“It’s a good cause, plus it’s a learning experience,” says Edginton.
To vote for Cali or learn more, click here.
=htmlentities(get_the_title())?>%0D%0A%0D%0A=get_permalink()?>%0D%0A%0D%0A=htmlentities(‘For more stories like this one, be sure to visit https://www.eastidahonews.com/ for all of the latest news, community events and more.’)?>&subject=Check%20out%20this%20story%20from%20EastIdahoNews” class=”fa-stack jDialog”>
JACKSON, Wyo. — Springtime conjures images of adorable baby animals. Unfortunately, sometimes well-meaning humans feel compelled to interfere with Mother Nature by “rescuing” baby animals who appear to be alone.
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) issued a spring reminder discouraging people from intervening when they assume a wild animal is lost, abandoned or orphaned.
“While these folks typically mean well, the sad reality is they are often doing more damage than good when they intervene — and typically, mom was not far away to begin with,” IDFG shared in a press release.
“Here’s the hard truth,” the agency wrote. “Animal parents will periodically leave their young for an extended period of time for a myriad of reasons, whether it’s to search for food, to rest or to divert attention from their vulnerable offspring, especially if they sense danger. When it comes to wildlife babies, wildlife mothers know best.”
Advertisement
In short, in an encounter with a lone duckling, gosling, deer fawn, baby bird, red dog or moose calf, do not disturb it. Instead, contact the state’s wildlife agency to report it. In Jackson, call the Wyoming Game and Fish Department at (307) 733-2321. In Idaho, reach IDFG at (208) 525-7290.
Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
5 Star Draw: 8 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
Idaho Cash: 8 p.m. MT daily.
Millionaire for Life: 9:15 p.m. MT daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a USA Today editor. You can send feedback using this form.
