I just came from the horror convention in Cherry Hill. (http://www.monstermania.net/).
MonsterMania is a great opportunity to get your scream on, mingle with costumed fans and bone up on the classics and newest crazes.
Last year I went with the same friend as this year, and it’s still just as much fun going together. We caught sight of George Romero and Malcolm McDowell in one of the celebrity autograph rooms (the main area featuring Carrie Fisher and Danny Glover, plus some television celebs, was extremely crowded), and after that we blew some money at the vendors’ tables. Among the DVDs and tee shirts, you can find fan gear of every type, from “Walking Dead” barware to contact lenses to help you look like a “True Blood” vampire, as well as costumes and jewelry of all kinds.
Overall the horror and monster crowd features some of the nicest people you could imagine. Even a guy in full Jason hockey mask glory moved politely through the crowd (though he accidentally gave one poor girl a shriek attack in the process: the “Friday the 13th” movies must’ve really creeped her out). In addition to the usual convention events, there is a charity fundraiser to benefit Save the Yorkies. Who says horror buffs don’t give back to the community?
We were lucky with parking this time (cars spilled out into the street once the lot was too double-parked to hold more), but next time I think we may take a cab and make sure to bring extra plastic bags to hold gear. Not all vendors have bags, and some take cash only, which was why the hotel lobby ATM had a line longer than Carrie Fisher’s. For the first-timer, I recommend good footwear and breathable clothing, as all the human (and sub-human) bodies packed onto the convention floor makes some amazingly intense–and sometimes smelly–body heat. Always look over all the vendors once before breaking out your wallet, especially if you’re on a budget. And bone up on how to handle zombies in case one lumbers your way.
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