Sarah Sigfried
Mad Monster Expo is bringing Halloween to the Charlotte/Concord, NC area early this year.
Halloween is coming early to the Carolinas! Mad Monster Expo is coming the first weekend in September to the Embassy Suites by Hilton, and my horror nerd heart is happy. The guests will include Lisa Loring (the original Wednesday Addams), Meatloaf, Bonnie Aarons (The Nun), Shawnee Smith, and Torin Bell (Saw franchise). This convention is a must for any horror fan in the area! Your favorite monsters and merchandise will invade the hotel lobby, ballroom, and lower level of the hotel. In past years the convention spilled out of the hotel and into a large event tent outside. Screenings, Q&A panels, celebrity guest booths, and merchandise are all available at the event.
At past events, I was able to chat with Vincent Price’s daughter and see Corey Feldman. One year, Bruce Campbell, Gary Busey, and Kirk Hammett were in the same room at the same time! I remember attending a Q&A with Sid Haig and learned that he spent some time between film projects working as a hypnotherapist. My day job is in the mental health field, so I was naturally intrigued. Can you imagine Captain Spaulding as your therapist? Anyhoo….
More scheduled events being announced soon!
There is a costume contest on Saturday night at 7 PM with a $500 cash prize. There have been some amazing costumes at Mad Monster events. Some rules for the costume contest include: no nudity, no dripping fluids, and nothing dangerous.
The Carolina premiere of “This History of Metal and Horror,” written, directed, and produced by Mike Schiff, will be screened at this event. Mr. Schiff will be in attendance and will introduce his work. This film features a Who’s Who in metal and horror. Starring in the film are Alice Cooper, John Carpenter, Rob Zombie, Tom Savini, Kirk Hammett, Bill Moseley, Sid Haig, Linnea Quigley, Kane Hodder, and many others.
Mad Monster supports Scares that Care, a nonprofit organization. Their website explains the mission: “As a 100% volunteer organization, we are focused to fight the REAL MONSTERS of childhood illness, burns and breast cancer by helping families who are experiencing these extraordinary hardships cope with the financial burden by raising and providing $10,000 per recipient family.” Scares that Care partners with horror fans for fundraising efforts and you can make a donation online or stop by their booth at the convention and purchase some merchandise for a good cause.
Others included in the Exhibitor and Vendor hall are London 1888, Microphones and Monsters, JP’s Horror Collection, and many more!
I’ll be there geeking out. I hope you’ll join me.
