Monster Mania Con 2014 Review: Hunt Valley, Maryland
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was my third year in a row at Monster Mania Hunt Valley and my fourth time overall.
First, I’m blessed to live just 15 minutes North of the Hunt Valley Con, and I look forward to it every year.
Embarking on my third consecutive year at Monster Mania in Hunt Valley, I expected nothing short of horror excellence, and once again, the event surpassed all expectations.
Monster Mania 2014 was an unparalleled celebration of the macabre, with a star-studded lineup and monstrous surprises that solidified its status as the crown jewel of horror conventions.
The celebrity guest list read like a who’s who of horror legends, and it was a dream come true to meet icons like Robert Englund, Courtney Gains, and Billy Dee Williams.
Englund’s charismatic presence, Gains’ eerie charm, and Williams’ legendary status created an electrifying atmosphere permeating every convention corner.
The Halloween Movie Reunion and Monster Squad Reunion were monumental moments for horror enthusiasts.
Witnessing the cast members reunite and sharing anecdotes from the sets of these iconic films was a spine-chilling experience that added a layer of nostalgia to the event. It felt like stepping into the living room of horror history.
The convention floor, as always, was a labyrinth of horror delights.
The vendors brought their A-game, offering extensive memorabilia, collectibles, and unique finds. My collection of horror treasures grew even more, with each booth offering a new temptation that I couldn’t resist.
The haunted attractions continued to raise the bar for terror. Navigating through spine-tingling mazes and encountering nightmarish creatures became a rite of passage.
The adrenaline rush of facing fears head-on, especially after a thrilling Monster Squad Reunion panel, made every scream and jump worthwhile.
The Monster Movie Marathon held its ground as a haven for cinephiles of the macabre. The programming was a perfect blend of classic and contemporary horror films, providing a cinematic escape for those seeking a respite from the excitement of the convention floor.
The Monster Masquerade Ball maintained its status as the social climax of the event. Adorned in their most frightful attire, attendees danced the night away in a surreal spectacle of horror-inspired revelry.
The DJ’s curated playlist had everyone moving to the beats of terror.
Monster Con In Hunt Valley
The first time I ever went to a horror Con was in 2005 when Sid Haig from A House of a Thousand Corpses and Bruce Campbell from The Evil Dead were present.
Update 2018: I was listening to a monster-mania podcast last fall in which Dave Hagan, the proprietor of Monster-Mania Con, stated that there was another Con at Hunt Valley before he set up shop there.
The Con I went to at Hunt Valley in 2005 was set up slightly differently from how Dave does it. The Actor’s signing autographs were set up on the first level, where the Q&A segment is currently held instead of the lower level.
Also, I never paid to get into the Con and had access to both levels. The only money I spent was on the autographs, which were only $20 back in 05.
I got an autograph pic from Sid Haig and Kane Hodder. I didn’t get any pictures then because my cell phone didn’t have a camera, and I’m unsure if the cameras were out back then.
Sid Haig’s autograph said, “Shit the Bed,” per my request, and Kane Hodder’s said, “Your Next!.” Both actors were great to meet.
I didn’t know of Sid before House of 1000 Corpses. His performance in that movie made me an instant fan. Sid played the part so well; I believed he was the character Captain Spaulding.
Some of the actors that were present that day in 2005
- Sid Haig
- Bruce Campbell
- Kane Hodder
- Ken Foree
- Jeffrey Combs
I can’t even recall how I stumbled upon my first Con, but the first time I went, back in 2005, left a lasting impression on me. Being in a room full of dozens of my all-time favorite horror movie icons was surreal.
so much so that I make sure to go every year, I may even visit Cherry Hill, New Jersey, to check out the two shows.
What Is Monster-Mania Con?
Monster-Mania Con is a semi-annual horror film and memorabilia fan convention that has been held in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, Hunt Valley, Maryland, and Oaks, Pennsylvania, since 2003.
It mainly focuses on its guest panels, where fans can meet horror movie actors. It is a three-day event held from spring to autumn at Crowne Plaza in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, Delta Hotel Marriott in Hunt Valley, Maryland, and The Greater Philadelphia Expo Hotel in Oaks, Pennsylvania.
Who Started Monster-Mania Con?
During a car ride to South Jersey, Dave Hagan and his son were creating an idea for a convention and building on it throughout the ride. By the end of the ride, the two had devised the main structure for Monster-Mania.
Monster-Mania was later founded in 1999 by Dave Hagan through Dave Hagan Enterprises, dedicated to the memory of Dave Hagan’s father, who introduced him to horror movies. Its first convention was held in late 2003 at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
The lineup included Doug Bradley (who would become a regular for Monster-Mania Con), Caroline Munro, Ben Chapman, and Veronica Carlson, amongst many others.
Who was at Monster-Mania Con Hunt Valley in 2014?
First off, Monster-Mania Con is located at the Hunt Valley Inn in Hunt Valley, Maryland, conveniently located right off I-83. Robert Englund, aka Freddy Krueger, was the main attraction set up in his hotel wing.
The second most significant star was Star Wars celeb Billy D. Williams. Courtney Gains, aka Malachai Boardman, and John Franklin, Isaac of the classic horror film Children of the Corn, were both there.
I could chat with them separately, and they were very friendly and easy to talk to.
I explained to John Franklin how the music and sounds in horror movies often seem scary. He then started imitating the frequent creepy choir sounds in The Children of the Corn.
Next, I chatted with Courtney Gains.
After watching that movie, I confided in him that I was afraid of Malachai Boardman and of long-haired, freckled, red-headed people.
I also told him that Can’t Buy Me Love, starring Patrick Dempsey, was one of my favorite movies as a teenager. (I had a crush on Darcy DeMoss, who also was in Friday the 13th, Part 6.) Courtney Gains played Patrick Dempsey’s best friend – Kenneth, in that movie.
His famous line was, “You Shit on My House.”
Also, at Monster-Mania Con 2014
- Walking Dead Reunion with Scott Wilson, Emily Kinney, Lawrence Gilliard Jr, and Chad Coleman.
- Costas Mandylor
- The Monster Squad Reunion with Carl Thibault, Michael Mackay, and Duncan Regehr.
- Halloween Reunion with J.C. Brandy, George P. Wilbur, Marianne Hagan, Devin Gardner, and Mariah O’Brien.
- Twiggy Ramirez
- Dick Warlock
- Kane Hodder
- Amanda Wyss
- Ronee Blakely
- Cerina Vincent
- Steve Railsback
The one thing that bummed me out about Monster-Mania Con this year was the lack of Q&As with the actors. Last year, Q&As began at around noon and ended at around 9:00 pm.
This year, the first Q&A didn’t begin until about 6:00 p.m., which is a little late in my book. The Q&A is my favorite part of Monster-Mania Con, and I hope they fix this next year.
Growing up as a horror fan of the ’80s, below are some actors I would love to meet someday (Sadly, after researching, a lot of my favorite horror actors have passed away):
- Danny Trejo
- Paul Ehlers
- Amelia Kinkade
- Wesley Snipes
- Jamie Lee Curtis
- Hal Havins
- Michael Berryman
- Warwick Davis
- Jill Terashita
- Linda Blair
Conclusion
Monster Mania 2014 not only met but exceeded the lofty expectations set by its predecessors. As I left the convention with autographs, photos, and a bag full of horror memorabilia, I couldn’t help but marvel at the event’s ability to deliver a monstrous experience year after year consistently.
Monster Mania, you’ve earned your place as the ultimate destination for horror enthusiasts. Here’s to many more years of monstrous mayhem!
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