I recently had the opportunity to attend the New Jersey Horror Con in Atlantic City, The event was held at the Showboat Hotel from Friday, March 24th to Sunday, March 26th. While there were some aspects of the convention that could be improved upon, I still had a good time.
The convention featured various horror-themed vendors, celebrity guests, and a film festival. At first glance, the idea of a convention in Atlantic City with a star-studded lineup of guests sounds like an absolute dream come true for fans. The prospect of meeting your favorite celebrities, attending panels with industry experts, and immersing yourself in a community of like-minded enthusiasts is undeniably exciting. The buzz and energy of a convention can be infectious, with attendees eagerly flocking to explore the various attractions and exhibits on offer. However, it’s worth remembering that conventions can also be overwhelming, especially for those attending for the first time. The sheer scale of the event, the crowds of people, and the constant sensory stimulation can all take their toll. Despite this, for many fans, the chance to engage with their passions in such an immersive way makes the experience worth it. With a great lineup of guests, a convention in Atlantic City promises to be a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow fans and indulge in all things pop culture. However, the number of visitors seemed low compared to other conventions I have attended in the past. This could have been due to the fact that the Horrorhound Show was taking place the same weekend in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is not a wise choice to have two major conventions in the same weekend as the attendance will be divided. This also had an impact on the vendors. For example, that there was no Blu-ray or DVD label present at the event. Vinegar Syndrome, Severin, Synapse, and Troma were all setup in Cincinnati which left a big hole in Atlantic City. Even worse, there were no private vendors selling movies either. As someone who enjoys owning physical copies of my favorite films, it was disheartening to leave the event almost empty-handed. I had hoped to find rare and unique titles that are hard to come by elsewhere, but unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.
Another issue I noticed was the sound quality at the film festival. The films themselves were enjoyable, but the audio left something to be desired. There were times when it was difficult to hear what was being said, which detracted from the overall experience. However, the selection of movies was diverse, with both short and feature horror films being screened.
One of my two highlights of the event is the incredible cosplay on display, with fans dressing up as their favorite horror movie characters and monsters. Cosplayers at the Horror Con are always original and fun, taking inspiration from both classic and contemporary horror films to create unique and terrifying costumes. What makes the New Jersey Horror Con truly special, however, is the community of horror fans that attend. These passionate and knowledgeable fans are always eager to share their love of the genre with others, whether it’s by discussing their favorite horror movies or sharing tips on how to create the perfect zombie makeup.
My second highlight of the convention was the Saturday night party called “Scaraoke.” It was a fun event where attendees could sing karaoke with a horror twist. The atmosphere was lively, and everyone was having a great time. I even had the chance to meet some of the actors in attendance, including Brian Bremer (Pumpkinhead, Society), Mikkos Hugues (Pet Semetary, Wes Craven’s New Nightmare) and Felissa Rose (Sleepaway Camp). They were all gracious and took the time to chat with fans and take pictures. One downside to the convention was the expense. The admission fee was quite steep, and the cost of autographs and photo opportunities
Despite these issues, I did have a lot of fun at the New Jersey Horror Con. I was able to meet some of my favorite horror icons and attend interesting panels and discussions. Additionally, the vendor hall was filled with unique and interesting merchandise, including vintage horror movie posters, rare horror comics, and one-of-a-kind collectibles. In conclusion, while the New Jersey Horror Con was a fun experience, there were some issues that I hope can be addressed in the future. The high cost of attendance, poor sound quality at the film festival, low attendance, and scheduling conflicts with other horror events all detracted from what could have been an even more enjoyable experience. Nonetheless, I look forward to attending future horror conventions and seeing how they continue to evolve and improve.
