Frightful Fun at MonsterMania 54 in Hunt Valley, MD!
Welcome to the thrilling world of MonsterMania Con 54, where fantasy and reality collide, and fans of horror and pop culture come together for a weekend of excitement. Although we’d attended a MonsterMania event once before in 2022, this was our first-ever visit to the con’s Hunt Valley, Maryland location, which offered more room for activities and an entirely different vibe! This was an event that left us with unforgettable memories and encounters with notable personalities.
One of the highlights of our visit was the opportunity to meet and interact with two incredible actresses, Robyn Lively and Christina Ricci. Christina, a household name in the world of film, had agreed months prior to grace the convention with her presence, and was initially our main draw for the entire event! Her talent and versatility have made her a beloved figure in the entertainment industry, and interacting with her was an absolute delight. We discussed her iconic roles and shared our admiration for her work, leaving us with a lasting impression of her genuine kindness and passion for her craft. Lively, meanwhile, who is known for her various roles in film and television (most notably ‘The Karate Kid Part III’ and ‘Cobra Kai’), was an absolute delight to speak with and even made a cameo appearance in our vlog! Her warmth and enthusiasm for the event were truly infectious.
Of course, these were not the only celebrities with whom we had a run-in. No horror convention would be complete without an appearance by Kane Hodder, renowned for his portrayal of the iconic Jason Voorhees in the Friday the 13th film series. We eagerly lined up to have our photo taken with this horror legend in full Uber Jason (‘Jason X’) costume, complete with the signature hockey mask. Hodder was an imposing sight to behold. His attention to detail and dedication to his fans made the experience even more memorable. Of course, the most memorable component of the interaction was his mixing and matching our names in his signature - will the real ‘Kim and Tatie’ please stand up? Sadly, we were unable to wait out the lines for fellow headliners William Shatner and David Arquette - but we did get a chance to say good morning to Shatner as he rolled by on his ECV!
Like all cons, this event offered small businesses an opportunity to grow and thrive within a niche community. From ‘tasteful’ vendors such as Brutali-TEAS and Fire Beast Jerky serving up snacks and beverages to keep us going all the way down to vendors selling horror-themed stuffed animals, custom fangs, metal art prints and even custom board games, the event was wall-to-wall with artisans and creators looking to network with horror fans and likeminded individuals. We had an awesome time chatting it up with the various vendors and small business owners that made up not one, not two but three different vendor halls - and we definitely spent a few hundred dollars on some choice horror merch!
Above: We even stumbled upon a cosplayer who dressed as Lady Dimitrescu, the striking vampiress from the popular video game Resident Evil Village.
And what is a convention, if not for a gathering of talented cosplayers? As we wandered through the hotel, we were met by the likes of Deadpool, the Corpse Bride, the Angry Princess (‘Thir13en Ghosts’) and we even stumbled upon a cosplayer who dressed as Lady Dimitrescu, the striking vampiress from the popular video game Resident Evil Village. Although her elaborate costume and flawless makeup exuded an air of sultriness and intimidation, she was so approachable, kind and polite that you’d never have suspected her a villain at all! Naturally, we had to stick around for the MonsterMania costume contest to see all of these characters representing on stage.
Our first visit to MonsterMania Con in Hunt Valley, MD was an exhilarating adventure that exceeded all our expectations. Unlike the Cherry Hill, NJ location that we had visited in 2022, MonsterMania Con’s Hunt Valley location provided an immersive environment where horror and pop culture enthusiasts could come together to celebrate their shared passions without feeling cramped or overcrowded. The event showcased the power of fandom, allowing us to connect with like-minded individuals and create lasting memories. We left with a renewed appreciation for the world of horror and pop culture, and we're already looking forward to our next adventure at the con. If you're a fan of horror, fantasy, or pop culture, mark your calendars and prepare for an unforgettable experience at MonsterMania Con. And you don’t have to take our word for it - see for yourself what the con is all about by checking out our convention vlog below!
