YOUR GUIDE: Monster Mania 20 comes to Maryland, Sept. 16-18
Horror fans who can make it to Maryland this weekend will be able to feast on a three-day smorgasbord of genre celebrities, film screenings and rare collectibles. Headlining the 20th installment of the successful Monster Mania convention is none other than John Carpenter, legendary director of Halloween, The Thing, Escape from New York and Christine.
Other headlining guests include Anthony Michael Hall, from The Dead Zone and Weird Science, plus True Blood’s Kristin Bauer and Hellraiser’s Clare Higgins. True horror fans are likely most excited over Higgins’ appearance, as she is a rarity on the convention circuit.
The three-day event will take place Friday, Sept. 16 through Sunday, Sept. 18 at the Baltimore Marriott Hunt Valley Inn on 245 Shawan Road in Hunt Valley, Md. For those looking to stay overnight, special convention rates are available.
Other celebrities who will offer autographs throughout the weekend include Jon Bernthal, Norman Reedus and Emma Bell, all of AMC’s The Walking Dead, plus Lauren Bowles, who plays Holly Cleary on True Blood.
In the nostalgia category, there will be a reunion of cast members from the cult classic, The Monster Squad. Expected to attend are Andrew Gower, Stephen Macht, Ashley Bank and Carl Thibault.
Barbara Crampton and Jeffrey Combs, everyone’s favorite Re-Animator stars, will be in attendance, plus a host of actors from every installment of the Halloween franchise. Of the legends, there will be PJ Soles, from Carrie and Halloween; Joe Turkel, from The Shining and Blade Runner; Tony Todd, from Candyman and Final Destination; and Ernie Hudson, from The Crow and Ghostbusters.
Oddest inclusion? Professional wrestler Nikolai Volkoff will appear on Saturday. I’d make fun of this one, but I’m too scared of a body slam.
Most autograph prices will be from $20-$30 (thankfully, even though Carpenter could probably charge an arm and a leg, he normally only asks for $30). The celebrities at Monster Mania are usually pretty cool about letting fans snap some pictures. Expect the longest lines for Carpenter, Hall, Bauer and Higgins. Carpenter’s line at a recent Monster Mania in New Jersey stretched around the building.
There will be several film screenings and panel discussions throughout the weekend. Some of the highlights: Hellraiser, Gremlins, Re-Animator Q&A, The Walking Dead Q&A, True Blood Q&A, John Carpenter Q&A, Hellraiser Q&A and a Halloween reunion.
Daily tickets cost $25 each, except for Sunday, which costs $20. A VIP package is available for $200, which includes admission all three days, plus a guaranteed autograph and photo with Carpenter. You also get admission to an exclusive VIP party, but $200 is an awfully steep asking price.
The vendors room at Monster Mania is always filled with genre oddities. You have to be a true horror-film fan to appreciate some of this debauchery. Be sure to check out the original convention poster designed by artist Scott Johnson. It makes for a great keepsake.
Going to the convention? Leave your thoughts and memories in the comment field below.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com-
Click here for more information on Monster Mania.
