PREVIEW: ‘Once Upon a Time’ convention hits East Coast

Fans of Once Upon a Time, the successful ABC series, will congregate this weekend, June 4-5, in New Jersey for a fan convention from Creation Entertainment. Expected to attend are series stars Lana Parrilla, Rebecca Mader, Emilie de Ravin, Sean Maguire and Robbie Kay, among others.

Once Upon a Time is filled with “magic, monsters and all of the characters we all know from stories growing up,” according to ABC. The series takes place in a small New Hampshire town called Storybooke where the people are unable to leave thanks to the Queen’s Curse.

At the convention, fans can expect opportunities to meet their favorite stars, receive autographs and pose for photo opportunities. For those unfamiliar with Creation Entertainment, the company runs operations differently than other fan conventions. For one, if a customer buys a ticket, he or she is guaranteed a seat in the main hall for the on-stage talks with the celebrity guests. The company also hosts events for fans of Star Trek, Supernatural and The Vampire Diaries.

The full guest list includes Parrilla, Mader, de Ravin, Maguire, Kay, Lee Arenberg (who also will serve as emcee), Sinqua Walls, Eion Bailey, Raphael Sbarge, Michael Coleman and Beverley Elliott.

There are several ticket packages still available, and here’s a rundown of the options.

• Special events include a celebrity cabaret performance, costume contest, auctions and trivia competition. Vendors will also be set up, selling Once Upon a Time gear and other genre goodness.
• Gold packages cost $349 or $559 for the front row. The packages include reserved seats, the chance to be first in line for autographs, admission to the celebrity cabaret performance and admission to a special Saturday night panel with Parrilla and Mader. The package also includes autographs with Parrilla, Mader, Maguire, Kay, Arenberg and Walls.
• Silver packages are sold out, but copper packages, which include a reserved seat and admission to the celebrity cabaret performance, are available at $130.
• General admission runs $60-$65 per day or $110 for the full weekend. A preferred seating option is also available.
• Individual autographs cost $20 to $50, but please note, individual autograph tickets for Parrilla (priced at $50) are sold out. It would seem the only way to snag that scribble is to purchase a gold package.
• Photo ops run from $40 to $60 for individual stars and $110 to $135 for groups and duos. Parrilla’s individual photo op and duo photo op with Maguire are sold out; however, she has a duo photo op with Mader for $135.

The convention will take place at the Marriott Hanover Hotel in Whippany, New Jersey. The hotel is located at 1401 Route 10 East, approximately one hour from New York City.

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

Click here for more information on the Once Upon a Time convention.