2024

Texas Pinball Festival 2024:

Experience the largest pinball celebration in Texas history with over 500 games, expanded floor space, and more exhibitors than ever before. Join us for tournaments, seminars, and the best in classic and modern pinball gaming.

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A Year of Unprecedented Growth and Innovation

Most impressively, the show shattered previous records with over 500 pinball machines on the floor—the highest number in TPF history. The expanded exhibition space welcomed 10 new exhibitor booths and saw the return of several vendors who had been absent in recent years.

A new check-in verification process was implemented to ensure all games were in proper working condition and safe for attendees. This meticulous process was managed by the Pinball ERS Team, including Kevin Moore, Jessica Richardson, and many other dedicated volunteers who inspected every machine brought to the festival.

The “Best in Show” awards received an upgrade this year with increased prize values, including for runner-up categories. In a historic first, a home brew game called “Friday the 13th” claimed the prestigious Grand Champion award, highlighting the festival’s commitment to celebrating innovation alongside tradition.

Community Collaboration and Expanded Programming

Home Brew Showcase

Imoto and Aaron Davis (FASTpinball) coordinated with makers to bring almost a dozen home brew games to the floor, showcasing years of creative effort from talented designers.

Record-Breaking Seminars

TPF2024 featured the largest number of seminars in festival history, with a renewed focus on “How To” and “Making” topics. Pam Heffern, Howard and Richard Barnett, and Imoto led pre-planning efforts, while Visionality provided high-end equipment and staffing for excellent audio-visual experiences.

Expanded Tournament Options

In addition to the main tournaments, which sold out well before the show, two additional pick-up tournaments were added with Hanger Pinball and NTXPinball. The event kicked off with a seminar by Louis Marx on tournament participation, encouraging friendly competition that benefited several charities.

Enhanced Visitor Experience

The introduction of a TPF Concierge, Elaine, provided a central point for questions and volunteer coordination. Staff members were easily identifiable thanks to exclusive shirt colors, and additional food truck options were coordinated by Jaelanne to improve dining choices.

Tournament directors Dick Curtis, Elizabeth Dronet, Kevin Stone, and Ken Kemp planned for months before the show, adapting to challenges as they arose. Their efforts, along with contributions from those who provided the 25 tournament machines, ensured competitive play of the highest quality.

The People Behind the Magic

The success of TPF2024 wouldn’t have been possible without the dedicated team of staff and volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes. The organizers added more friendly staff faces this year, all easily identifiable in their exclusive shirt colors.

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Core Operations Team

Tony, Heath, and “The Big Guy” Trey did an amazing job getting all the additional games to their right locations. Kris Klinge took on significant responsibilities, including leading the shutdown and cleanup of the registration area.

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Volunteer Heroes

Britney Parker stepped up as a staff member and excelled in her role. Shelley Nunnelee and Carey Fishman jumped in to help with lines even when not scheduled. Marc Davis, Lisa Miller, Leslie Sinclair, and Ron Reynolds took on extra shifts with positive attitudes.

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Technical Support

Pam Heffern assisted in the retail area while her husband Scott helped with AV setup that was crucial to the show’s success. Past show organizer Grieg Riddle and his wife Joanne covered several gift shop shifts.

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New Contributors

First-time volunteers Darryl Gamboa and David Vandiver took lead positions in the gift shop area and performed exceptionally well in their inaugural roles.

As the organizers emphasized, “The Texas show is made due to its fans, and this year was no different. This is your show!” This sentiment captures the community spirit that makes TPF a standout event in the pinball world.

Best In Show Awards: Celebrating Pinball Excellence

One of the most anticipated aspects of the Texas Pinball Festival is the Best In Show Awards, which recognize the extraordinary effort exhibitors invest in bringing their finest machines to the event. These dedicated enthusiasts spend countless hours repairing, restoring, and polishing their pinball machines until they become playable works of art.

The 2024 awards were particularly significant, with increased prize values for winners and runners-up. In a historic first, a home brew game titled “Friday the 13th” claimed the prestigious Grand Champion award, highlighting the festival’s embrace of innovation alongside classic restoration.

The judging process was rigorous, with Rich Wiski, Bill Morrison, Michael Lube, Scott Martin, and guest judge Gary Stuart facing the challenging task of evaluating hundreds of machines on the floor. Their expertise and dedication ensured that truly exceptional pinball machines received the recognition they deserved.

The organizers also acknowledged the contributions of Keith Holbrook, Ken Head, Kevin Moore, Jessica Richardson, and Bob Herbison, whose playfield restorations and preparation work helped ensure that show games were ready for attendees to enjoy.

Award-Winning Machines: A Closer Look

The Best In Show competition showcased an incredible array of pinball machines, from meticulously restored classics to innovative home brew creations. Each winner represented countless hours of dedication to the craft of pinball restoration and design.

The judges evaluated machines based on multiple criteria, including restoration quality, playability, historical significance, and overall presentation. With over 500 games on the floor—a TPF record—the competition was fiercer than ever before.

Special recognition goes to Imoto and Aaron Davis (FASTpinball) for coordinating with the group of makers to bring almost a dozen home brew games to the festival. These creative designers often invest years of effort into their projects, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in pinball design and mechanics.

The historic win by “Friday the 13th” as Grand Champion marks a significant milestone for the home brew community, validating the incredible craftsmanship and innovation happening outside traditional manufacturing channels. This recognition highlights TPF’s commitment to celebrating all aspects of pinball culture, from vintage restoration to cutting-edge independent design.

More Award-Winning Machines

The diversity of award-winning machines at TPF2024 demonstrated the breadth and depth of the pinball community’s passion. From electromechanical classics to modern digital marvels, the Best In Show winners represented every era of pinball history.

Each machine tells a story—not just of the game itself, but of the dedicated individuals who spent countless hours bringing these pinball treasures back to life or creating entirely new experiences. The restoration process often involves hunting down rare parts, fabricating custom components, and applying specialized techniques to preserve the original character while ensuring reliable gameplay.

For many exhibitors, bringing a machine to TPF represents the culmination of months or even years of work. The Best In Show awards provide well-deserved recognition for this labor of love, while also inspiring others in the community to pursue their own restoration and creation projects.

The expanded awards program, with increased prize values for winners and runners-up, reflects the growing significance of TPF as a showcase for pinball excellence. As the festival continues to evolve, these awards will remain a cornerstone of the event, celebrating the craftsmanship and dedication that keep the spirit of pinball alive.

Tournament Champions: Elite Competition

TPF 2024 attracted some of the world’s finest pinball players, including several ranked in the global top 10 and many others in the top 100. The tournament area buzzed with intense competition as players demonstrated extraordinary skill and strategy across multiple divisions.

Wizards ‘A’ Division

The premier competitive division saw Eric Stone claim first place, followed by Bowen Kerins in second, Sanjay Shaw in third, and Marc Jackson in fourth. These elite players showcased the highest level of pinball mastery.

Wizards ‘B’ Division

Jon Stewart took the top spot in this competitive division, with Clark McCoy securing second place, Geoff Davis in third, and Michael Hew rounding out the top four.

Wizards Novice Division

Emerging talents shined in this division, with Bryce Bush winning first place, Kelly Moncla taking second, Sven Johnson in third, and Shawn Quinn in fourth position.

Tournament directors Kevin Stone, Liz Dronet, Dick Curtis, and Ken Kemp, supported by numerous volunteers, orchestrated these competitions with professional precision. Their months of planning and on-the-spot adaptability ensured a smooth experience for participants and spectators alike.

The main tournaments sold out well before the show opened, demonstrating the growing popularity of competitive pinball. To accommodate more players, the organizers added two additional pick-up tournaments with Hanger Pinball and NTXPinball, which were well-received by attendees.

More Tournament Champions

Classics Tournament

The Classics Tournament celebrated pinball’s rich history by featuring vintage machines that challenged players to master the unique characteristics of older games. Jack Revnew emerged victorious, with Mark Meserve taking second place, Eric Stone in third, and Geoff Davis in fourth.

Texas Takedown Women’s Championship

This tournament showcased the growing presence and skill of women in competitive pinball. Danielle Peck claimed the championship, followed by Lexi Whittemore in second place, Louise Wagensonner in third, and Tracy Abrahams in fourth.

Kids Bump ‘n Win

The future of pinball was on display in the Kids Bump ‘n Win tournament, where young players demonstrated impressive skills and enthusiasm. Liam Bradley took first place, with Miles Bradley in second, Carter Fell in third, and Orazio Strealy in fourth.

The tournament area was a hub of excitement throughout the festival, with spectators gathering to watch high-level play and cheer on their favorite competitors. The 25 tournament machines were carefully selected and maintained to ensure fair and challenging competition across all divisions.

To help newcomers get involved in competitive play, the festival began with a seminar by Louis Marx on tournament participation. This educational session aligned with TPF’s mission to grow the pinball community and make competitive play accessible to enthusiasts of all skill levels.

TPF Fan Favorites

Join Us for TPF 2025:

As the Texas Pinball Festival continues to grow and evolve, the organizers remain committed to creating an event that celebrates every aspect of pinball culture. From the record-breaking 500+ games on the floor to the expanded seminar program focused on “How To” and “Making” topics, TPF2024 demonstrated the festival’s dedication to both honoring tradition and embracing innovation.

The historic win by a home brew game in the Best In Show competition signals an exciting new chapter for the festival, highlighting the creativity and craftsmanship happening in independent design. Meanwhile, the tournament area continues to attract world-class players while also welcoming newcomers through educational seminars and novice-friendly competitions.

None of this would be possible without the incredible community that makes TPF special. From the dedicated staff and volunteers to the exhibitors who spend countless hours preparing their machines, and from the tournament directors to the players and spectators—everyone contributes to the festival’s unique atmosphere of camaraderie and shared passion.

As the organizers said, “The Texas show is made due to its fans, and this year was no different. This is your show!” This sentiment perfectly captures the spirit of TPF as a community-driven celebration of all things pinball.

For the most comprehensive coverage of TPF2024, visit Pinball News to check out Martin Ayub’s detailed wrap-up. And start making plans now to join us for TPF2025, where new records will be set, new friendships will be formed, and the magic of pinball will continue to bring people together.