IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — From Power Rangers and Rainbow Brite to Star Wars and Jem, Retro X is bringing generations of pop culture fans together in Idaho Falls this weekend.
The two-day event at the Elks Lodge features celebrity guests, cosplay, collectibles, artists and vendors, drawing fans from across eastern Idaho and beyond.
For Samantha Newark, the voice of Jem and Jerrica Benton from “Jem and the Holograms,” the event is a chance to reconnect with fans who grew up watching the cartoon in the 1980s — and meet a new generation discovering it for the first time.
“I’m here to represent Jem, kind of the ambassador for Jem, and to meet the grown-up ’80s kids and the batch of young fans, which we’re calling the next generation,” Newark said.
Newark said it’s still surprising to meet younger fans who weren’t even born when the show originally aired.
“You’ll get a kid coming up to you who’s like 12, and they’ll either be in full Jem cosplay or they’ll be like, ‘Oh my God, I love you so much,'” Newark said. “They found it themselves and fell in love with the show.”
That same multi-generational appeal was a common theme among the celebrity guests.
Bettina Bush, the voice of Rainbow Brite, said she enjoys attending smaller conventions because of the passion fans bring.
“I absolutely love coming to the smaller conventions in the smaller towns because the people are so invested and they come out because they love the characters and they love the shows,” Bush said. “It’s so important to be able to be here for the fans.”
Bush said classic characters continue to connect parents and children decades after their debut.
“The great thing about Rainbow Brite and My Little Pony is that they really span all of the generations,” Bush said. “Their moms share this joy from their childhood with them. It’s all happiness. It’s all color and love.”
Power Rangers stars David Fielding, who portrayed Zordon, and Christopher Khayman Lee, who played Andros in “Power Rangers in Space,” said they’re grateful the franchise continues to resonate with fans around the world.
“We’re lucky enough to be a part of a franchise that continues to inspire people throughout the years,” Lee said. “We’re just very grateful to be able to go where we can meet people and talk about our experience on the show and their love of it as kids.”
Beyond the celebrity guests, Retro X also welcomed members of the 501st Legion, an international Star Wars costuming organization known for its screen-accurate costumes and charitable work.
Erin Atwood said the group uses its love of Star Wars to give back to local communities and raise money for children’s charities.
“We like to say we get paid in smiles from old kids, young kids, kids of all ages, zero to 99,” Atwood said.
Atwood said the organization is currently raising money through its partnership with Make-A-Wish, helping grant wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses.
For many attendees, Retro X is about more than meeting celebrities or finding a rare collectible.
It’s about sharing childhood memories, discovering new fandoms and connecting with others who love the same characters and stories.
Retro X continues Saturday at the Elks Lodge in Idaho Falls from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets and event information are available at ifretrox.com.
