Nashville Duo to Host Animatronics Show on October 31

Ally and Gene Howell will showcase their restored vintage animatronic collection to Nashville residents this Halloween.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Collecting

Nashville Duo to Host Animatronics Show on October 31

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On October 31, 2026, Ally and Gene Howell will host an animatronics display in Nashville, featuring characters from the iconic Rock-afire Explosion band. The duo, who began collecting the robots three years ago, will distribute 3,000 pieces of candy at the event.

Why it matters

The Howells view animatronics restoration as a viable alternative to traditional college education and a way to preserve retro pop culture history. By sharing their collection, they aim to foster local interest in the intersection of robotics and entertainment.

The collection includes rare pieces like the Wolf Pack 5, of which only 7 or 8 sets were produced. These animatronics have not been seen performing for 30-40 years.

The players

Ally Howell

She is a 20-year-old collector and restorer who focuses on animatronics as a career path.

Gene Howell

He is a software engineer who partners with Ally to maintain and restore vintage robotic systems.

Shooter Jennings

He is the voice actor who provides the vocals for the Fatz Geronimo animatronic character.

The details

The restoration process involves managing complex pneumatics where air signals activate internal cylinders and pistons. To prevent environmental damage, the Howells installed UV vinyl on garage windows and specialized insulation panels to protect the rubber faces and mechanical parts.

The Rock-afire Explosion performed in ShowBiz Pizza Place throughout the 1980s.
The Howells began their animatronics collecting journey three years ago.
A video of a rare Wolf Pack 5 set surfaced in Peru a few months ago.
The Halloween animatronics show and candy distribution takes place on October 31, 2026.

Culture Shift

The pursuit of animatronics restoration reflects a broader trend of young adults prioritizing niche technical skills and vocational alternatives over traditional university degrees. This shift emphasizes hands-on mastery of mechanical systems as a modern path to professional specialization.

Nashville residents can visit the Halloween event to experience the rare restored robots and participate in the candy distribution. The Howells also plan to offer future workshops to teach local children about the underlying robotics and electronics involved in these machines.

The takeaway

Preserving complex mechanical history requires significant technical maintenance and environmental controls to combat heat and freezing. For those interested in this hobby, start by studying pneumatic systems and sourcing authentic parts from across the globe.

What happens next

Ally and Gene Howell plan to launch an annual Nashville-based animatronics convention, and Ally Howell intends to open a ShowBiz Pizza location featuring original and restored animatronics.