With yet another Monsterpalooza under my horror belt, it's that wonderful time of year where I can gush all about it! If you've never heard of it, Monsterpalooza is a special horror convention featuring a monster museum, special presentations, make-up demos and over 200 vendors. Also in attendance is a slew of horror and sci-fi celebrities from some of the genres most beloved films and TV shows. I first attended this show in 2010 and have been a Monsterpalooza fanatic ever since. (Check out my 2013 post HERE!)
I usually hit up the show on Saturday but judging by the crowd from recent years, I was afraid it would be way too packed and my anxiety would go through the roof. Instead, I went later in the evening on a Friday and WOW! What a difference a day makes. My nephew and I arrived to a ZERO LINE entrance which made my horror heart so happy! We walked right in, headed straight to the museum and found.... ZERO LINE again. With no crowd in sight, we were actually able to enjoy all of the offerings inside the museum without feeling rushed. Highlights (for me) included: The Haunted Mansion caretaker, a Walter White bust, mold duplicates of Father Merrick from The Exorcist, grandpa's scary rabbit from Twilight Zone the Movie and the gorgeous Creepshow ticket booth.
After the museum we hit up the main hall which was surprisingly empty. We were able to take our time at each booth and truly marvel at all the FX demos. We sat down for our yearly zombie caricature tradition, bought a couple of items and then we headed over to the celebrity area. I usually take the time to stop by and say 'hello' to all my favorites in attendance but this year I only had my heart on set on one: GEORGE A. ROMERO!
After the museum we hit up the main hall which was surprisingly empty. We were able to take our time at each booth and truly marvel at all the FX demos. We sat down for our yearly zombie caricature tradition, bought a couple of items and then we headed over to the celebrity area. I usually take the time to stop by and say 'hello' to all my favorites in attendance but this year I only had my heart on set on one: GEORGE A. ROMERO!
George had the entire signing room to himself (this is usually where all of the celebrities are stationed) with Disneyland style ropes winding throughout the entire thing but again.... you guessed it, NO LINE. Unfortunately he wouldn't sign anything brought in but he had a 20 foot table filled to the edges with a variety of glossy photos, posters, blu-rays, scripts and more! I picked out my favorite 8"x10" and shuffled my nervous little feet over to his table. I placed the photo down on the table and smiled, he held out his hand.... and held out his hand... and held out his hand.... and then OHMYGAWD, it hit me: He was trying to shake my hand! I nervously laughed, shook his hand and it was all hearts in my eyes after that! George Romero is officially the most adorable and most sweet celebrity I've ever met any of these events. I mean, what could I possibly say that he hasn't heard a million times and so each time I said 'Thank you' to him, he would reciprocate with his very own 'Thank YOU'. When we took a photo and my nephew was working his Iphone, George said "Look at him, he's trying to find our angle!" and afterwards he insisted that my nephew join in photos with us as well.
After that, we were able to do another round of Monsterpalooza exploring and last minute shopping before gathering our sad little horror hearts and heading home.
If you're planning on going to Monsterpalooza, make sure you're prepared with quite a bit of money! The entrance is $30 and this year they didn't validate parking so that was another $15. Add in the miscellaneous purchases from vendors and the price of celebrity autographs (for instance, George Romero's prices ranged from $50 and up!) ... you're looking at a pricey weekend but it is SO worth it considering everything Monsterpalooza has to offer. Don't believe me? Check out my gallery below!
If you're planning on going to Monsterpalooza, make sure you're prepared with quite a bit of money! The entrance is $30 and this year they didn't validate parking so that was another $15. Add in the miscellaneous purchases from vendors and the price of celebrity autographs (for instance, George Romero's prices ranged from $50 and up!) ... you're looking at a pricey weekend but it is SO worth it considering everything Monsterpalooza has to offer. Don't believe me? Check out my gallery below!