#1 MOST IMPORTANT PREPAREDNESS TIP:

Bring lots of cash. More than you feel comfortable spending in one day ideally. There is nothing worse than “wish i had bought that” remorse. If you run out of cash, or didn’t bring any to begin with (no. the guy selling shoes out of a van does not take debit!) be prepared to wait on a very long line, and dish out at least $5 in an ATM fee:

Other items to bring to avoid paying inflated unprepared person prices:

Potable water. Rose Bowl price: $3 for 12 ounces

A sandwich: Rose Bowl price varies about $5-10. Taking a lunch break will give you a much needed second wind after your first few hours of shopping.

Other suggested items:

Comfortable shoes. Some like to suffer for fashion I know. But if you're in it to win it, your feet gotta be happy first!

Shopping cart or bag. I'm too manly to push around a folding shopping cart, so I bring a large sack with a sealable opening. You may be able to make do with cheap plastic shopping bags provided by vendors, but this is not a secure way to transport your goods.

FOR THE HARDCORE ONLY:

A reliable alarm clock, set so you arrive no later than 6:00 AM. Parking will be a breeze, you'll avoid the crowds, and get first dibs. Unfortunately you'll have to pay the premium "VIP" pre-7am rate of $20 entry.

A flashlight. Preferably a modern compact LED one. Take care in inspecting merchandise before purchase as imperfections might not be as obvious in the glow of your flashlight as they will be in full light.

Caffeine. By the time you're done you'll be wiped. But you still gotta drive back safely to wherever. Even though it's sunday afternoon, it's still LA and traffic is no picnic!

Some scenes from the 1988 Worldcon Sci-Fi convention held in New Orleans, where this t-shirt originated:

According to IMDB, Truck Shackley and the Texas Critters was:

Oversize muppet-type band from the 1980-82 show “Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters.” This five piece country band and their dog were created not by Jim Henson, but by Sid and Marty Krofft, since, hey, they were producing the show. Some of the puppeteers involved were: Tony Urbano, Sandey Grinn, and Carl Johnson. Apparently the band occasionally actually performed on the show. One song was called “Cowboy’s Valentine.”

Sid & Marty Kroft were the group responsible for the psychedelic “H.R. Pufnstuf” Here were the only two images of the Critters I could find online:

I’m guessing from the Neville Brody-esque logo on the right sleeve, and the “Stormin Norman” tag this jacket was produced circa 1991 (just pre ONYX era). Anyway, you wont have trouble finding shoes to wear with it:

Yes. The Ghost Rider t-shirt glows in the dark.