Every year that I’ve attended JoeLanta, and later ToyLanta, I’ve produced a wrap-up video to try to capture the energy and excitement of the experience. My first show was in 2013, which was at the tail end of my 20-year period as a family caregiver, when I couldn’t really travel for anything that wasn’t health-related.

That first year was a revelation. In the space of about three hours I met over fifty people who had been online-only friends for the better part of two decades. The JoeLanta crowd welcomed me and Melanie (now Mrs. PopCulteer) into the JoeLanta family, and the annual trip to Atlanta has been a big part of our lives ever since.  I’ve made a wrap-up video every year since our first, although in 2016 I didn’t get it finished until November (that was a bit of rough year for your PopCulteer).

When the show transitioned to ToyLanta a few years back we enthusiastically embraced the expansion, since it all goes to benefit the Cody Lane Memorial Toy and Diorama Museum, a dream that we are all still working hard to realize.

This year  I will not be able to attend the show, which happens next weekend. However, to raise awareness, I’m re-posting my wrap-up videos to give you a tiny hint of the cool stuff you can see if you’re vaccinated and can make the trip. We plan to be there next year, and our wrap-up video will be posted right here in PopCult. Until then, we have our memories…

Next week I’ll post more ToyLanta memories and details on how you can experience some of the convention highlights from the comfort of your own home. Just keep checking PopCult.