CollectorFest - Calgary

Hello Collectors! The CollectorFest Crew is still in recovery mode from last week's show, and would once again like to thank everyone for coming out and supporting the show! We're still tallying up our donation amount and still have some invoices and incidentals to account for, but we're hoping for another year of record breaking donations.

That said, the events don't stop coming, so if you're into Pokemon cards and the like, be sure to check out Popculturejapan's PopCulturepalooza (https://www.facebook.com/events/1002510272548859) this Saturday, September 5, 2026 at the Thorncliffe Greenview Community Association from 10am to 5pm! You'll find all sorts of Pokemon Trading Card Game and other cards at the show, and even some friends of CollectorFest as well! ^_^

Good Morning Collectors!

Thank you so much for your support of CollectorFest 2026! The crew is still stuck in the post show hibernation phase; crunching numbers and catching up on sleep, but we should have a post show update for you all very soon!

In the meantime we wanted to take a moment to mention something very important to us here at CollectorFest. Last week we saw the departure of many famous names from this world, one of which was of particular import to our crew. We wanted to take a moment to dedicate this years show to the memory of the late Peter Cullen. A Canadian voice acting icon who most famously provided the heart and soul as well as the voice of Optimus Prime. CollectorFest as we know it would not exist without Peter and his fellow actors who brought to life the amazing world of The Transformers and made lifelong fans of so many kids and adults alike.

When we started CollectorFest 10 years ago, in line with the 30th anniversary of The Transformers: The Movie, we just wanted an excuse to hang out with our friends, swap some toys, and watch the move up on a projector screen at the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre. We had no idea how important this show would become not only to us, but to all of our wonderful collectors, vendors, sponsors, and of course our charity recipients. We look forward to sharing this time with you all every year and here's to many more CollectorFest celebrations!

Please look forward to more updates on this year's show and future events shortly.

We will leave you with this photo and write up from Plastic Spark Photography aka CollectorFest Josh.

Thank you,

- The CollectorFest Crew

Dear Peter Cullen,

It is Thursday. August 27th, 2026.

Today was a hard day.

I woke up to more notifications on my phone than I think I have ever seen in my life. My usual geeky websites pinging updates. Friends messaging me to check in. Asking me if I was ok. I didn’t know what was going on but I had a terrible feeling in the pit of my stomach.

With hesitance I started opening up the messages. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Only hours after the world lost the incomparable Tim Curry, and days before; the absolute legend that was Dolly Parton rode off into the sunset. There it was, staring me in the face; Rest in Peace, Peter Cullen. The iconic voice actor passed away today at 85 years old. Less than a month after his most recent birthday. I didn’t want to believe the world could be this cruel.

I couldn’t bring myself to do much this morning. I ate some cereal and sat on my couch in silence. The usual Youtube videos or Netflix reruns that placate my ADHD-addled brain into submission were nowhere to be found. Just me, and the crunch of my Rice Krispies. A nightmare in 4 sentences any other day. But today it was all I could manage.

Eventually, I had to get up off the couch. Get dressed. I had things to do. So I put on my oversized N.E.S.T. Autobot Hoodie, tucked ‘86 Optimus Prime into the kangaroo pocket as a travel buddy, and hopped in the car to go into work. It was my day off but a couple things needed to be taken care of before the weekend.

Maybe it wasn’t the best idea but I decided to listen to The Transformers: The Movie soundtrack while I drove in. I had a feeling it might hurt a bit, but I needed to feel it. I thought for sure by track #3 (IYKYK) I’d be a mess and have to swap it out for something else but surprisingly I made it all the way through “The Touch”, “Instruments of Destruction” and even “The Death of Optimus Prime” without so much as a peep. Eyes dry and mind filled with the intricacies of road travel I carried on.

Then, like a ton of bricks, Track #4. “Dare” by Stan Bush. A song that isn’t really connected to Optimus Prime. It’s an anthem for the younger generation in the movie; Hot Rod, Springer, Arcee, and the rest of the new crew introduced by the film.

“Sometimes when your hopes have all been shattered, and there’s nowhere to turn. You wonder how you keep goin’. Think of all the things that really mattered, and the chances you’ve earned. The fire in your heart is growing.”

As soon as the lyrics hit, the song's meaning immediately changed in my mind. This wasn’t just a raucous rock anthem for Hot Rod’s escapades. This was a message directly to the future Autobot Commander from his fallen hero. Today this was also a message to me from one of my heroes. Before the first line in the song finished the tears had already started.

“Dare! Dare to believe you can survive. You hold the future in your hand. Dare! Dare to keep all your dreams alive. It’s time to take a stand. You can win if you dare!”

Peter Cullen was truly an amazing man. I met him once, at a local comic expo. Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo before it became Fan Expo Calgary. I had met a few celebrities and artists before, usually on the floor or at the free booths/tables but this was the very first time that I had ever paid in advance and planned a visit to the show specifically to see a premier guest. In all my years going to the show I never thought this would be an option. He was a featured Guest of Honor. As it turns out, the original organizer of the show was a huge Transformers fan as well and this was a bucket list booking for him before selling the show.

I was so excited, I still remember waiting in the line, trying to plan what I was going to say to Peter when I met him. My girlfriend (now wife) was with me and trying to keep me calm but I was already off the rails. I had originally thought to print out a photo I had taken of one of my Optimus Prime figures for him to sign but ultimately I chose to have him sign the poster that was provided by the show as part of the “package” I had purchased. It was an exclusive print done by a local artist only for our show that features Prime in both of his modes backed by a sunset with a sort of glittery metallic finish. It’s a pretty unique piece all things considered. It’s in storage. I still need to get it framed. I wish it was on my wall right now.

After waiting for what felt like an eternity, it was finally my turn to meet him. He was in a semi private curtained area, sitting behind a table. Nothing fancy. He was wearing a two-tone grey sweater over a collared denim button up shirt and sitting on a stool or a chair of some kind. I was there in my usual dork attire. Jeans and a black graphic T-shirt. This one was from the Dreamwave (I think) G.I. Joe x Transformers crossover and featured Optimus Prime prominently at the top. Though one might say Snake Eyes was a little too eager to steal the show up front and centre. Trailbreaker was even on there. How often do you see that guy on a shirt?

All the planning, all the rehearsing of what I would say when I finally met him. It all emptied out of my brain like so much sewer water down the drain. I was standing there in front of a man I idolized and admired so much with nothing to say. For maybe the first time in my life I was speechless. Which is saying something as usually I can’t shut up. I was frozen. Thankfully my wife saw me floundering and took the initiative.

“You’re his favorite person in the whole world. He’s really excited to meet you.” she told him.

Peter looked at me with a chuckle, held out his hand to shake mine, and as he did he pulled me in close to him in a very grandpa-like side hug. I don’t remember exactly what I said. I’m sure I muttered something about how his work was so important and Optimus Prime is such an important character and a real hero and who knows what else. Some of the thoughts I had been prepping back in the line made it out but mostly I was just starstruck. He put his hand on my shoulder as we posed for the picture and thanked me for coming. He signed the poster for me with a quote and shook my hand again before I left. It was so brief a moment but it also felt like forever at the same time. It felt like I was meeting a family member that I had heard of but never been in the same room with. He was exactly the man I thought he was. No phony bravado, no stuck up Hollywood nonsense. Just an honest, generous, and humble man who was happy to meet a fan.

To this day that photo is one of only a handful that I don’t cringe at when I look at it. I have a genuine smile on my face and despite dropping the ball completely when it came time to have a conversation with the man I never look back at that moment and think about what went wrong. I only think about how genuine and happy both Peter and I were at that moment.

“Out of the darkness you stumble into the light. Fighting for the things you know are right.”

One of Peter’s most famous messages, that he has shared in many a convention panel and interview, comes from his late brother; Larry Cullen. When Peter was trying to develop the voice that would be Optimus Prime his brother told him: “Peter, if you’re going to be a hero. Be a real hero. Don’t be a Hollywood hero type with all the B.S. and yelling and screaming and trying to be tough. Be strong enough to be gentle.”

Optimus Prime is a warrior, A leader, and a fighter. He is a soldier. But more than that, he is a caretaker. He is a father figure. He is a goofball. He is an explorer and an adventurer. He’s so much more than just “The Good Guy” from that one cartoon. He wasn’t afraid to be silly, to be sad, or to be stern when he needed to be. He was everything a leader needed to be and Peter brought that character to life with his performance. A voice and a character that left their mark on generations. He played the larger than life hero that I looked up to, and in reality he was a man with the same integrity, virtues, and humanity that he exemplified in Optimus Prime.

As Eeyore, he showed me that we all deserve love and friendship. Even if, at times, I may not understand or believe it. He showed me that it’s ok to be a little bit broken, to be a bit sad, and your true friends and family will still love and care for you. They will help you find your tail when it’s lost and get it pinned back on. They will help you pick the thistles even if they might get poked by the thorns. That a rain cloud is not the end of the world and there is beauty to be found even in a storm.

Sure, to some it might be ridiculous or “cringe” for an almost 40 year old man, still obsessed with cartoons, to be crying over the passing of a robot man from the TV. I don’t know what to tell you. He has always been there throughout everything, and now he won’t be. I’m gonna feel a little like Eeyore about the whole thing for a bit if that’s ok. But I’ll get my tail back on and chomp on a thistle and keep fighting the good fight because that’s what he would want. That’s what Optimus would want, and that’s what Peter would want.

“Dare! Dare to keep all your love alive. Dare to be all that you can be.”

“Dare! ‘Cause there is a place where dreams survive. It’s calling you all to victory!”

Thank you so much for everything, Mr. Cullen. Eeyore. Optimus Prime. Peter.

-Josh

Good Morning Collectors! Setup has begun and we've got a last night Raffle Prize donation from our friends at Celly Sports & Games! Danny and crew have generously donated some coin and promo card Pokémon booster packs, while Jody has donated 3 super awesome, gorgeous, and beautiful playmats! ^_^ A super ginormous big thanks to them!

* RAFFLE PRIZE ** RAFFLE PRIZE ** RAFFLE PRIZE*

A couple last minute additions to the charity table from a day one supporter and friend of the show Plastic Spark Photography . (Is it just me or does he look a lot like CollectorFest Josh? Maybe they're related...)

We've got a Transformers Bundle including a retro style Wheelie and Outback as well as 2 Blokees Defenders mystery snap together kits! Don't worry, there's only a very slight chance you'll get addicted to these little guys. Just ask our friend and super awesome vendor Otis Chan! 🤣

We've also got an ultra rare limited edition scale figure of "Loong-Nia". The Dragon Princess mascot of MSI Computers! This is a special edition figure that was included as a bonus with a very expensive ($3000-$5000) MSI PC or Laptop purchased during the event period. There's no other way to get this gorgeous statue!

"Raised by the noble lineage of the Ancient Dragons, she always dreamed of becoming a Wingborne Watcher – protector and guide of dragonkind. Though born without wings, she used her talent in mechanical design to build her own. Now, she's the only Wingborne Watcher who can fly and guard the skies at night."

*All items are brand new and unused.

We are all set up and ready for the show! Well... Mostly! We will see all our amazing vendors bright and early (7am) for set up and the rest of you beautiful souls at 10am when the doors officially open on CollectorFest 2026! Hope to see you there!

*RAFFLE PRIZE* *RAFFLE PRIZE* *RAFFLE PRIZE*

A VERY BIG THANKS to Sponsor, CollectorFest Day One OG, Owner of Calgary's longest and biggest independently owned video game store, Jeff of Video Game Trader, for donating this bounty of goodness as Raffle Prizes for CollectorFest 2026! Jeff and crew have been long time supporters of the show, as well as many charitable causes throughout the city and nerd community. We are extremely grateful for their kindness and generosity in helping support us raise funds for the Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation.

If you've been looking for a sealed copy of Snow Bros. Nick & Tom Special [Collector's Edition] for Switch, a sealed Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set, a sealed copy of Trek to Yomi (Special Reserve) [Deluxe Edition] with sealed Art Book for PS5, or a everything is new but no game code copy of Starfield [Constellation Edition] with the super cool Watch for Xbox Series X, then you should definitely buy some Raffle Tickets for a chance to win one of these items, and support a good cause with these items worth over $500!

An infinite amount of thanks to them once again, and if you need any video game stuff, be sure to support them too!

*RAFFLE PRIZES* *RAFFLE PRIZES* *RAFFLE PRIZES*

Hey Collectors! We'd like to show off some of the super awesome and generously donated items that will be Raffle Prizes, with all proceeds going to the Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation!

Raffle tickets will be 1 for $5, 3 for $10, or 10 for $20.

We would like to thank the following for their generous donations:

- Adam Wyse / Roxley Games
- The Buy And Sell Store
- Calgary Comic Books
- Calgary Game & Collectors Show
- CollectorFest Jon
- Hidden Spot (https://www.instagram.com/hiddenspotyyc)
- Jim Lai
- London Drugs Shawnessy
- Mighty Sturg Art (https://www.instagram.com/mightysturg_art)
- Out of Chaos comes Cookies
- Rawry & Pohly
- Serpents & Stitches (https://www.instagram.com/serpentsstitches)
- SweetGypsy Bespoke Chocolates
- Tommy Chau

Holy Grails has also super generously donated a large number of Funko Pops to give out to kids at the show, to keep the show tradition of trying to make sure every kid goes home with something! A tremendously large thanks goes out to them!

We also get some vendors who donate items the day of the show, so you’ll definitely want to see what other awesome items will be available for a chance to win.

If any of these items interests you or you want to support an awesome charity, please be sure to stop by the Raffle / Donation tables near the entrance of the show!

Hey Collectors! If you're wondering which of your favorite local small businesses, vendors, or artists will be selling their wares at the show, please check out the Floor Plan for CollectorFest 2026 below! It's not to scale, so there will be plenty of room to move about, so don't you worry about that!

Remember that CollectorFest 2026 has FREE admission and FREE parking, plus there will be an ATM on site if you need to take some cash out, since your vendors will accept a mixture of cash, e-transfer, and debit / credit. There will also be the Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation near the entrance accepting donations, as well as our Raffle Prize section for your chance to win some super awesome prizes while supporting a good cause! Raffle tickets will be 1 for $5, 3 for $10, or 10 for $20! Expect a post about Raffle Prizes tomorrow!

Hey Collectors! With the show being a few days away, we would like to once again give a HUGE thanks to our sponsors for helping make this show a reality!

Some of our sponsors have been Day One supporters of CollectorFest, with the others coming on within the past few shows. Whether it be sponsoring the show or being a vendor, we are eternally grateful for their belief and support of our show!

Being Calgary’s only 100% proceeds donated to charity collector based pop culture show, can make putting on a show quite challenging, but these businesses have stepped up for us and the community!

So, if you're in the neighborhood of one of these stores, please be sure to stop on by and help support these local small businesses!

So once again, a BIG THANK YOU to the following sponsors:

Video Game Trader - Calgary's longest and biggest independently run video game store! The place to go if you're looking for anything from the retro days to today!

Ages Three and Up - Looking for Transformers galore and third party exclusives? What about Marvel Legends, Star Wars Black Series, and other toys and figures? This Burnaby, BC business (run by a former Calgarian) is your one stop shop for all of those!

Memory Express Computer Products Inc. - For any of your computing needs, whether it be personal or office use, this is the destination to get parts for a build or a whole rig already put together!

Got Reptiles Canada - Calgary's number one reptile and amphibian store and educator, this is the place to go to learn about reptiles or add a most awesome pet to the family!

Western Canadian Reptile Expo - Western Canada’s largest Reptile Expo, run by local business Cornel's World Terrariums and Medicine Hat’s Canadian Mouseman, the crossover of the communities is much more prevalent than you’d expect and you should check these places out for your herpetology needs!

Calgary Game & Collectors Show - Calgary’s biggest game and collectors show, with vendors, tournaments, demoes, prizes, cosplay, and everything pop culture. Occurring annually in May, keep this show on your calendar for a great time!

Out of Chaos comes Cookies - THE cookie lady! Looking for the best, most affordable, and best variety of cookies around, through all the chaos of navigating shows, festivals and events, you’ll always want o find these cookies.

Timeless Games (https://www.instagram.com/_timeless_games) - Looking for the best selection of straight from Japan video game goods and merchandise? Look no further than this local business, as they have the latest and greatest stuff!

We'd also like to once again give a bit shout out to the official charity of CollectorFest 2026 . . . The Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation!