Monster-Mania 14 March 2010

The latest installment of Monster Mania had a different feel to it. The hotel, The Crowne Plaza, in Cherry Hill, NJ is under new management and it showed. Over the past couple of years I've attended every MM Con, and there's always this free-wheeling party atmosphere. It's copacetic, no one is out to harm anyone else, everyone is there to have a good time. But this time around the staff and hired security made its presence known. The usual lobby gathering that goes on til the wee hours was unusually subdued. Mainly because at the first rise of volume you had a security guard asking you to calm down. The lobby is now filled with brand new elegant furniture, and they made it clear how unwelcome you were on it. What I can say is, the Monster Mania crowd is a friendly, peaceful bunch and didn't really understand or deserve the kid gloves, and hopefully by the time the August show comes around they will have gotten the memo.

As far as attendance, while there were times when mobility was impossible, there were many occasions where you could approach even the biggest names at the Con with little to no wait time. Dario Argento and Gary Busey were the two biggest names there, and they were seated in the Main autograph rooms, not sectioned off at all.

The weekend was a Night of The Creeps and My Bloody Valentine Reunion, and both casts were amazingly gracious to their fans who made it out in decidedly horrific weather. It rained the entire weekend, and Saturday was eaten up not only by torrential rain but 40-50 mph winds. Both the NOTC and MBV Casts took time out to talk to their fans and pose for group pictures, but still keep their lines moving. Thom Mathews made it out for his first East Coast Con appearance, and was very kind to the fans who had long awaited him. He was however painfully shy. But alas, better to have someone quiet and grateful than obnoxious and unappreciative, right?

The core vendors for most Monster Mania Cons were there- Troma, Horror Merch, Sour Puss Clothing and Fright Rags. The one key exception was Fear Werx, who will hopefully make it back for the next Monster Mania.

As for the next Monster Mania, originally it was to be another Hartford MMConn in June, but that date is now tba. In August, MM will come back to Cherry Hill, and a new show has been added in September in Hunt Valley, MD. To keep up to date on information, check out MonsterMania.net, and keep in mind sometimes the Forums have the most up to date info!

Always a good time, great guests with a fun and friendly atmosphere!

-Kristy.

For more information on Monster Mania and upcoming conventions visit their official website HERE, and their official Myspace page HERE. Also be sure to read our coverage of future Monster Mania events.