Press release from Uvalderadio.net
03-03-26
Imagre Credit : Uvalderadio.net
Hundreds of kids, collectors, and longtime fans filled the downtown square on February 27 as Uvalde celebrated three decades of pocket monsters at Uvalde Radio’s Poke-Fest Party On The Plaza.
The monthly “Party On The Plaza” event, produced and hosted by UvaldeRadio.net, takes place every final Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. in Uvalde’s historic downtown plaza. Each month features a new theme, and this year the last Friday in February coincided with internationally recognized National Pokémon Day — marking the February 27, 1996 release of the very first Pokémon games in Japan.
Thirty years later, the franchise continues to unite generations. From Gen Xers and Millennials who grew up trading cards and watching animated adventures to today’s young trainers discovering the magic for the first time, Pokémon fandom was on full display throughout the evening.
Dozens of local and regional vendors lined the square with boutique clothing, novelties, collectibles, toys, and an impressive selection of food and drinks — many leaning fully into the Pokémon theme with 3D prints, crochet plushies, decorated sweets, and rare trading cards.
Trading Cards Take Center Stage
For Gerardo of Treetop Games, the night was a standout. What began five years ago as a side hustle has been his full-time career for the past three years. Operating out of a booth inside Horner’s On The Square — the historic antique store on the downtown square — he’s a regular at Party On The Plaza, bringing Pokémon and other TCG (trading card game) cards, manga, and collectibles.
This month’s turnout exceeded expectations.
“The event really went great and it was an amazing turnout,” Gerardo said. “I met a lot of new people in the Uvalde Pokémon community. We sold and traded a lot of cards and everyone found cards they liked or had been looking for. I had one girl come for a Pikachu card valued at $52 and left happily with her purchase.”
Sweet Treats with a Poké-Twist
Shana Enriquez of Enrish Cakes and Cookies brought beautifully decorated Pokémon-themed sugar cookies featuring fan favorites like Pikachu, Squirtle, Jigglypuff, and Bulbasaur. A self-described “from scratch” baker, Enriquez has spent years perfecting her recipes, with vanilla and strawberry cakes ranking among her most popular offerings.
“I love Party on the Plaza. It’s a fun way to get to know new people who are looking for yummy baked goods!!!” she said. “I love the atmosphere and the people are always so nice when they see what I have to offer. I made super cute decorated Pokémon sugar cookies (royal icing), snickerdoodles with cream cheese icing — one plain and the other with homemade caramel drizzle. Everyone loved what I had. People went crazy over Pikachu, his cookie was the most popular and went the fastest. I absolutely love going to and being a vendor at Party on the Plaza!!”
Handmade with Heart
Andriah Zamora, an inventory specialist with Skyway Entertainment, turned a personal passion into a sellout success. She began crocheting and knitting 10 years ago as part of trauma therapy and now operates Yarntastik Kreations. For the event, she spent two weeks hand-crocheting Pokémon plushies.
“I filled a 58-quart tote of handmade Pokémon plushies and the customers loved them so much that I sold all but three items and got special order requests for items I ran out of,” Zamora said. “I love crocheting so much that it brings me peace and makes me so happy to see how happy people are when they see their favorite things in plush form.”
More Vendors, More Fun
Additional vendors included Chubs 3D Printing with Pokémon and pop-culture creations; Annabee’s Lemonade serving fresh-squeezed lemonade and dirty sodas; Kookie Kouture Bakery with gourmet NYC-style cookies; Keyra’s Little Boutique offering jewelry, perfumes, clothing, and accessories; and The Bubble Tea Bar featuring a variety of boba drinks.
Throughout the evening, Uvalde Radio kept the energy high with a Pokémon playlist and prize giveaways, including Blu-ray titles “Dexter: Resurrection” and “Regretting You” from Paramount, movie passes to Forum 6 Theatres, Uvalde Radio swag, and limited-edition Pokémon-themed Uvalde Radio ROCKS stickers.
A Ghostly Entrance and an Electric Surprise
The highlight of the night was the larger-than-life appearance of Gengar, the mischievous ghost-type Pokémon that evolves from Gastly and Haunter. The purple fan favorite made a dramatic entrance from the Uvalde Radio tent as a Pokémon soundtrack blasted across the plaza. Gengar bounced, danced, and posed for hundreds of photos with fans of all ages before retiring for the evening.
As children waved goodbye, DJ Robert Miguel teased one final surprise — the arrival of Pikachu, the iconic electric-type Pokémon and official mascot of the franchise. The crowd erupted once again as more photos were snapped, more shopping continued, and the celebration carried on under the downtown lights.
