Old School Scary Still In Style At NJ Horror Con!
Fright was in fashion last weekend at The Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel as connoisseurs of all things creepy gathered together at NJ Horror Con. Not only was this my first official convention of 2018, it was my very first con specifically dedicated to the horror realm. I’ve definitely seen some scary sights throughout my con journeys, but this one brought my childhood nightmares back to life. Freddy, Jason, Michael, Leatherface… these guys were ‘killing it’! It was awesome to see the fans showing great appreciation for some murderous icons – no last name needed. 😉
As I meandered about, I also noticed the wide array of quirky curiosities available to tempt a fan’s taste for terror. Comic books, artwork, clothing, jewelry, zombie hunts, candy in coffins… the variety was endless!
And while was trying to escape Father Evil (yes, I am a sinner – or so he told me) I gratefully discovered some Deadly Grounds. Contrary to their name, Deadly Grounds served up some coffee that was actually quite heavenly. I highly recommend the Death By Chocolate.
Amidst all the vendor variety were some very cool guests representing entertainment classics. Night of the Living Dead’s Russ Streiner, Don’t Tell Mom The Babysitter’s Dead’s Danielle Harris and Keith Coogan, Married With Children / Fright Night’s Amanda Bearse and Friday the 13th’s Derek Mears were just a few of the names on hand available to meet excited fans.
Some of the biggest buzz surrounded the appearance of Peter Criss from the legendary rock band Kiss. Fans lined up, with albums in hand, for the opportunity to meet their rock hero. From what I hear, he didn’t disappoint. Mr.Criss was even presented with the NJ Horror Con Icon Award.
In addition to being a convention, NJ Horror Con is also a Film Festival. Mixed into the panels, contests, and awards scheduled throughout the weekend, fans could also check out some awesome indie horror films. I have always been a firm believer in supporting the incredibly creative individuals that work so hard in bringing life to our favorite genres. Kudos to all the artists, writers, filmmakers. And no convention is complete without the cosplayers, just check out this year’s winners…
Thank you, NJ Horror Con for bringing back some frighteningly fond memories. See you next year!