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GREENVILLE, N.C. (WITN) – From children picking out their very first Pokémon to adults searching for rare cards they remember from childhood, Pokémon Fest brought fans of all generations together under one roof on Saturday.
The single-day convention filled the Holiday Inn in Greenville with eager vendors and collectors buying, selling, and trading cards, video games, custom artwork, and other collectibles.
For many in attendance, the event was about much more than just a hobby—it was a journey back in time.
“There are people chasing memories,” said Jacob Hunter, a local seller at the convention. “Most of the time, kids are just coming in chasing their favorite Pokémon.”
Those two worlds collided as families and dedicated collectors lined up to browse through binders of rare cards and nostalgia-inducing memorabilia. According to event organizers, interest in Pokémon has reached an all-time high and continues to experience rapid growth.
“Greenville’s always a good turnout—we enjoy coming to Greenville,” said Bryan Echols, the convention manager. “Everything from families to dedicated card people [came out today].”
Hunter noted that the surge in popularity is heavily driven by adults who are rediscovering their childhood passions.
“Popularity in recent years with adults getting back into it, finally realizing they have the pocket change to get the things they’ve always wanted—yeah—it’s definitely jumping up,” Hunter said.
While adult collectors now have the disposable income to chase down vintage, high-value cards, a new generation of fans is already establishing their own favorites.
Roselyn, a young Pokémon fan attending the event, found herself captivated by the entire selection, unable to choose just one favorite.
“It’s all of them,” Roselyn said. “Because they have special powers.”
Sellers and organizers agree that events like Pokémon Fest have evolved to become about more than just the market value of what is inside the card binders. It is about community, shared passions, and connecting across generations.
In addition to card trading, the convention featured local artists and exhibitors showcasing everything from retro video games and custom apparel to manga and specialized artwork.
With collectors young and old still actively hunting, it is clear that the quest to “catch ‘em all” <a href="https://comicvibe.com/10-best-tv-shows-like-frasier/” title=”10 Best TV Shows Like Frasier”>shows no signs of slowing down in Greenville.
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