Monster Mania 38 (2021)
Wow, this year’s massive turnout for Monster Mania Con 2017 (38) in Hunt Valley, Maryland.
This was by far the largest attendance I have ever seen.
I went to my first Horror Convention in Hunt Valley in 2005 and have been a regular at MMC at Hunt Valley since 2012.
I live 15 minutes north of Hunt Valley, so I always attend Monster Mania. I prefer it in October, with Halloween in the same month; just putting that out there.
I recently attended Monster Mania 38 (2017) in Hunt Valley, and let me tell you, it was an absolute blast!
If you think conventions are just for selfies and merch, think again.
Monster‑Mania 38 isn’t your average weekend — it’s a full-throttle immersion in horror culture, packed with celebrities, panels, and a vendor hall stacked with collectibles, rare art, and one-of-a-kind finds.
Fans don’t just attend — they show up, engage, and level up their fandom.
Whether you’re hunting rare props, meeting icons, or just soaking in the energy, every corner of the con is designed to reward the ones who lean in and own the experience.
Monster-Mania 38 Hunt Valley
There was such an eclectic range of people attending. You have parents and their kids, and people dressed up in costume, regular folks, etc.
There were a ton of vendors set up selling their merchandise. Two levels of the hotel are used for the horror convention.
This was also the first year I saw a Police Officer at the Convention. He was cool, though, talking with folks and admiring the scenery.
The vibe at the horror Con in Hunt Valley is laid back. I talked with one of the staff members for MMC, and she told me that MMC in Cherry Hill, NJ, is way more intense.
This Year’s Guests at Monster Mania Con
- Rose McGowan– Scream, Phantoms, Charmed
- Tobin Bell – “Jigsaw” Saw Film Series
- Dina Meyer – Saw, The Evil Within
- Betsy Russell – Saw, the smoking hot girl Jordan in the 80s classic movie, Private School.
- Wilford Brimley – The Thing, Cocoon,
- Malcolm McDowell – Clockwork Orange, Rob Zombie’s Halloween 1-2,
- Michael Biehn – Reese from Terminator, Hicks from Aliens,
- Adrienne Barbeau – The Fog, Escape from New York, Creepshow, Swamp Thing
- Curtis Armstrong – Booger – Revenge of the Nerds, Metatron – Supernatural,
- Dean Cain – Lois and Clark – The New Adventures of Superman, Ripley’s Believe it or Not!
- Doug Bradley – Pinhead – Hellraiser movie Series,
- C.J Graham – Jason Vorhees, Friday the 13th pt.6 – Jason Lives,
- Andrew Divoff – Wishmaster, The Hunt for Red October,
- Ashley Laurence – Hellraiser,
- Alex Vincent – Andy Barclay, Child’s Play,
The Hotel Experience
This hotel wasn’t just another building on Shawan Road — it was the meeting point, the anchor, the landmark in Hunt Valley’s hospitality scene.
Originally built as the Hunt Valley Inn in the early 1970s, it wasn’t some cookie-cutter motel by the interstate.
It was designed as a destination — tied into Maryland’s horse country, next to traditions like the Preakness and the Hunt Cup.
Then somebody dumped $15 million into it. Not for paint jobs. Not for gimmicky upgrades. They reimagined the whole place — 392 rooms, 30,000 square feet of event space, modern conference facilities.
And rather than rebranding it as something generic, they aligned with Marriott and slapped the Delta Hotels badge on it — a brand that promises exactly what business travelers and high-expectation guests actually want: simple, done well.
It wasn’t about being flashy. It was about being functional, comfortable, and reliable:
- Huge meetings & event spaces for conventions, weddings, conferences.
- A destination restaurant and social spots that pulled locals and visitors alike.
- Straightforward guest perks — free Wi-Fi, streamlined concierge, grab-and-go options.
- Located so you’re minutes from downtown Baltimore or BWI Airport — ideal for business or leisure alike.
This wasn’t a “pretty” hotel. It was a high-leverage asset to the community and the region’s travel infrastructure, built to serve real needs — not aesthetics for aesthetics’ sake.
But even strong assets don’t last forever: after more than a half-century in operation, the doors closed and the property is now looking at a new chapter in its life.
Meeting the Stars
This year, there were three separate areas to meet the stars, get an autograph, and take a picture. Two smaller rooms were upstairs, and one large room was downstairs.
Malcolm McDowell and Rose McGowan were signing in one room upstairs. Next to that room were Tobin Bell, Dina Meyer, Betsy Russell, and Michael Biehn, and everyone else was downstairs.
There was a huge line to get into the ‘Saw Room,’ so I skipped it and went downstairs.
Curtis Armstrong
The first pic and signed picture were with one of my all-time favorite 80s actors – Mr. Curtis Armstrong. Booger from Revenge of the Nerds and Charles DeMar, John Cusack’s chemically altered buddy in one of my favorite ’80s movies – Better Off Dead.
Curtis Armstrong is a character actor who figured out how to win by leaning all the way into what makes him different.
Most people know him as Booger in Revenge of the Nerds — the loud, weird, unapologetic outsider who didn’t try to be the cool guy. That role alone made him unforgettable. He also crushed it as Miles in Risky Business and later as the voice of Snot in American Dad!.
Here’s the lesson: Armstrong didn’t try to be the leading man. He owned his niche. He doubled down on his “type.” And that’s why he’s still working decades later. In Hollywood — and in business — differentiation beats imitation every time.
One of my favorite scenes from Better Off Dead is when Charles DeMar is on the ski slope with John Cusack’s character, snorting snow off his top hat. The classic line was, “This is pure snow; it’s everywhere.”
I mentioned that line to him while he signed the photo for me. Mr. Armstrong signed my glossy photo, which is the scene he signed with, “This is pure snow.”
Curtis Armstrong was very kind and surprisingly very reserved. It was a pleasure to meet him.
He also played Metatron on one of my favorite T.V. shows – Supernatural.
Adrienne Barbeau
At the following table was Adrienne Barbeau. A classic movie actress, including 1980s horror movies, is one of my favorites.
Adrienne Barbeau didn’t just appear in horror movies — she became one of the defining faces of early ‘80s horror.
Her run really hits with The Fog, directed by John Carpenter. She plays Stevie Wayne, the late-night radio DJ broadcasting from a lighthouse while a ghostly fog rolls in and wipes people out.
Calm voice. Chaos everywhere else. That contrast? Powerful. She’s not screaming the whole movie — she’s composed, grounded, steady. That makes the danger feel real.
Then there’s Escape from New York — not straight horror, but dark, dystopian, gritty. She plays Maggie, tough and scrappy in a prison-city version of Manhattan. Again, not the damsel. She’s in the fight.
And don’t sleep on Creepshow. Anthology horror. Campy. Twisted. She leans into the tone instead of fighting it — which is why it works.
Barbeau thrived in horror because she brought strength to roles that could’ve been one-dimensional. Horror rewards presence. And she had it. She wasn’t just in cult classics — she helped make them cult classics.
She couldn’t have been any cuter or sweeter if she had tried. And she still ‘got it,’ if you know what I mean.
I loved Adrienne’s character in many movies, especially Swamp Thing and Creepshow.
Last but not least, I had to get a photo with Dean Cain.
Dean Cain is a perfect example of spotting opportunity and doubling down. He didn’t just stumble into acting — he pivoted after a football career with the Buffalo Bills got derailed by injury. Most people would’ve sulked. He went after the next thing.
Then he landed Superman on Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. Not just the hero — the human Clark Kent, too. Relatable, likable, memorable. That role became his brand.
After that? He leveraged it. TV movies, hosting gigs, commentary. He understood a core principle: play your strengths, own one big breakout, and keep building momentum. That’s how you turn one role into a career that lasts decades.
I mentioned to Dean’s assistant that my son is an actor and has had starring roles. My son and I were waiting in line to pick out a glossy picture to get autographed.
I even mentioned that my son could sing as well.
Dean interrupted, jokingly, of course, and said that he couldn’t sing at all.
My son decided to get in on the photo, and Dean’s other assistant took at least a dozen pictures with my camera. Dean was as friendly and personal as anyone could be. It was a pleasure meeting him, as well.
The Vendor’s
I enjoy viewing all the Horror Merchandise as much as I do meeting celebrities. I’ve never bought anything yet, but I will always have a chance. I usually walk around the vendor tables several times in case I missed something.
The vendor hall isn’t just a bunch of tables — it’s a full-on horror marketplace. If you’re into collectibles, tees, masks, props, or anything that screams “I love horror,” this is where it’s at.
Action figures, statues, replica weapons, DVDs, Blu‑rays, posters, vinyl, even hand‑made jewelry and art — you name it, someone’s selling it.
But here’s the kicker: the real value isn’t just in the stuff. It’s in the one-of-a-kind pieces you can’t get anywhere else and the people behind them.
Indie artists, creators, and vendors who built their own mini-businesses around horror culture. You can talk to them, learn the story behind each piece, and sometimes walk away with something rare.
Buying is more than a transaction. It’s strategy meets experience: you spot opportunities (rare collectibles), negotiate value, and walk out with something no one else has.
It’s a lesson in recognizing scarcity, leaning into niche markets, and going after what actually matters — all while having fun in a room full of die-hard fans.
Here’s the top 5 types of items people actually go home buying
- Collectibles & Figures – Action figures, statues, and replica props. These aren’t just toys; they’re assets for a fan’s collection. Limited runs, rare editions, signed pieces — people buy these because scarcity drives value.
- Apparel & Gear – T-shirts, hoodies, hats, bags, and masks. Fans wear their fandom like a badge of honor. If it screams your niche and can’t be found at Target, it sells fast.
- Art & Prints – Posters, illustrations, custom paintings. Indie artists bring their own spin on horror icons, giving you something exclusive. People aren’t just buying art; they’re buying identity and culture.
- Media & Memorabilia – DVDs, Blu‑rays, VHS, books, magazines. Retro collectors and hardcore fans hunt these like treasure. A rare edition or signed copy? Instant win.
- Custom & Hand-Made Items – Jewelry, ornaments, woodwork, props, anything one-of-a-kind. These are the “wow” pieces — things you can’t replicate. Buying here isn’t just about owning; it’s about owning something unique, a conversation starter, a memory.
The vendors don’t just sell stuff. They sell scarcity, identity, and culture. If you walk out with one of these five, you’re not just spending money — you’re investing in your fandom, your collection, and your story.
Q & A Sessions @ Monster Mania
My favorite part of MMC is the Q&A panel. Every hour, one or more guests sit at a table hosted by either Rob Dimension or the MMC founder, Dave Hagan.
This year, during the Q&A, I noticed that the meeting room was utterly packed. I watched and listened to Michael Biehn and his wife, Jennifer Blanc. Also, Wilford Brimley, Rose McGowan, The Saw Reunion, and The Hellraiser reunion.
I recall attending a Q&A for MMC a few years back, and the room was filled with empty seats. Not Anymore! Almost every Q&A had people standing because all the seats were taken.
My favorite Q&A was with the Hellraiser Reunion. All the Cenobite characters were Doug Bradley – Pinhead, Simon Bamford – Butterball, Barbie Wilde –Female Cenobite (Hellraiser 2), and Nicholas Vince – Chattering Cenobite.
What made it more enjoyable was listening to their English accents. They probably could have talked for two hours, and I still would have sat there mesmerized by their stories on set.
Monster Mania 38 Conclusion
Monster‑Mania 38 isn’t just another convention — it’s a full-on immersion in horror culture.
From celebrity panels to the vendor hall stacked with collectibles, art, and one-of-a-kind finds, every corner of the con rewards those who show up ready to engage.
The lesson here? Opportunities don’t wait for you to be comfortable. Whether you’re hunting rare items, meeting icons, or just soaking in the energy, the fans who lean in, explore, and invest in the experience are the ones who get the most out of it. Show up. Engage.
Collect. Level up your fandom.
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