Long Island Trading Card Game Show expands to Nassau Coliseum

Rebecca Seepersad, of Farmingdale, has created a monster. The 34-year-old high school chemistry teacher from the Baldwin School District started a side hustle by launching the Long Island Trading Card Game Show in June 2023. The event began quarterly and then extended to include a monthly marketplace in between its seasonal shows.

"There was nothing like this here on Long Island. I was going to a lot of New Jersey events and I wanted one here," says Seepersad, 34, who has collected Pokémon cards since age 8. "I’ve been going to conventions since I was a teenager, therefore, I can tell what I liked and didn’t like plus what I wish they had."

Seepersad began at the Plainview Holiday Inn in June 2023 with 60 vendor tables drawing 800 people. By November 2024, she had moved to the Hilton Long Island/Huntington in Melville utilizing two ballrooms, eight conference rooms and extending into a hallway featuring 170 vendor tables and pulling more than 3,000 people. LITCGS has been expanding so rapidly that it’s now moving to Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale on May 3-4.

"I needed a bigger venue because it gets really packed. It’s not fun when it’s overcrowded while you are shopping," says Seepersad. "Utilizing the Expo Hall at Nassau Coliseum gives us more than 44,000 square feet holding over 400 vendor tables."

Here’s a guide to this two-day trading card-driven extravaganza.

VOICE-OVER MEET AND GREETS

Perhaps the biggest draw of a LITCGS event is the cavalcade of voice-over artists from TV shows based on the cards. The Nassau Coliseum roster is  a who’s who of Pokémon legends including Veronica Taylor (the original voice of Ash Ketchum), Stuart Zagnit (the original voice of Professor Samuel Oak), Tara Sands (the original voice of Bulbasaur), Jay Goede (the original voice of Mewtwo), Lisa Ortiz (the original voice of Sabrina) and more.

Zagnit, who resides in Brooklyn, appears fully dressed as his character of Professor Oak wearing his signature lab coat, red shirt and khaki pants.

"Professor Oak has a sense of humor and never takes himself that seriously. I think that’s what made him beloved to the fans," says Zagnit. "He always looks for an opportunity to lighten the atmosphere."

He will even put on the Professor Oak persona for fans.

"I’ll look up, smile and say, ‘Hello there!’ in the Professor Oak voice and the fans lose it," says Zagnit. "Suddenly, they connect that familiar voice to the person sitting at the table."

Sands, who graduated from Hofstra University, likes to sign memorabilia, take photos and share stories with fans about their experiences with Pokémon.

"People get emotional. It’s really touching," she says. "Sometimes they will discuss how watching Pokémon helped them get through a tough time or how trading Pokémon cards helped them make friends at school."

Ed Goodwin, of Merrick, is a big Mewtwo fan and collects Mewtwo memorabilia. He’s very excited to meet Goede in person and give him a gift.

"I made a wood carving of Mewtwo for him," says Goodwin, 41. "I hope to get a photo with Jay too."

Meanwhile, David Lettal, of Massapequa, is looking forward to meeting Taylor.

"I want to have her sign my 25th anniversary Pokémon poster and 2024 Pokémon world championship poster from Hawaii," says Lettal, 24. "She was a huge part of my childhood growing up."

VENDOR MADNESS

Over 400 vendors will be spread out across the Expo Hall floor forming two U shapes in islands of 10 tables. The merchandise being sold is mainly focused on trading cards, but also includes anime art, plushies, 3D printed figures, T-shirts and other memorabilia.

AlphaBeast Bazaar from Valley Stream is selling Pokémon trading card game products ranging from single cards to graded cards to sealed packs and boxes.

"Everyone is diverse in what they collect. Some people may collect cards that they had as a kid while other people are seeking extremely rare and expensive cards," says owner Matthew Bansi. "I get the joy of creating relationships with collectors and vendors. I get the privilege to understand each collector’s interests and help them find exactly what they’re looking for."

Those seeking Dragon Ball Z cards can hit up Saiyan King from Smithtown while Yu-Gi-Oh! card fans should visit MJT Collectibles in Lynbrook.

Collecta’ Bros Trading from Oakdale is going to be offering $1 mystery boxes and other bargain deals. Seeking Magic: The Gathering cards? Go to the Tenth Dimension Games from Farmingdale booth.

TOURNAMENTS, PANELS AND MORE

Extra highlights of LITCGS include Q&A panels, tournaments and a variety of live performances.

A series of Q&A panels will include one on Pokémon, moderated by Emmy-winning producer Waldo Cabrera, featuring Sands, Goede, Ortiz, Zagnit and Taylor on May 3 at 1 p.m.; a Dante Basco ("Avatar: The Last Airbender," "Star Wars: Rebels") panel, moderated by Sparkman, on May 3 at 3 p.m.; and a Dragon Ball Z panel, moderated by Sparkman, featuring voice-over artists Linda Young (Frieza, Fortune Teller Baba, Fasha, Piiza) and Chuck Huber (Android 17, Emperor Pilaf, Kibito, Master Shen), on May 4 at 1 p.m.

Tournaments for Magic the Gathering will be on May 3 at 10 a.m., Pokémon trading card game on May 3 at 11 a.m., video game competition on May 3 at 11 a.m. and Yu-Gi-Oh! on May 3 at noon.

Live performances are scheduled to take place from magician Robin Channing on May 3 at 2 p.m., rapper Genwunner on May 3 at 4 p.m. and singer of the Pokémon theme song Jason Paige on May 4 at 2 p.m.

By David J. Criblez

david.criblez@newsday.comDavidJCriblez

David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.