NJ Horror Con Came Roaring Back For Its August Edition!

Just hanging out with some Old Ones.

The New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center doesn’t look like much from the outside.  It’s a long, single-story industrial space in the middle of Edison, New Jersey, but it’s also home to one of the best horror conventions on the East Coast.  There have been about 19 editions of the New Jersey Horror Con, but this past weekend’s has been the biggest so far.

Moseley with his well-deserved award.

During the con’s second-ever VIP experience, genre mainstay Bill Moseley was presented with the Icon Award for his decades-long involvement in the horror genre. As Otis Firefly and of course, Chop Top, Moseley’s been long overdue for some award recognition. There was also an adolescent Chop Top cosplayer walking around, but don’t worry, they didn’t have a head wound.  Moseley had just recovered from an accident that left him unable to walk for months, but he did a little dance to prove he was okay.  That dog still hunts.

Puncture Wounds Pins, killing it once again.

There were more vendors than ever this month, including returners like Buzzkill Shop, Puncture Wound Pins, and a limited-edition grinder shaped like the Lament Configuration from, Horror Gods.  There were also bakers and candlemakers, but no butcher.  What, do you think someone’s going to sell meat on the convention floor?  Maybe jerky, but that’s it.  Also, after seeing them at April’s NJ Horror Con, the guys from Zombie Brando Designs brought one of their “Drop Dead Gorgeous” prints for me to buy.  Happy 25 years to the ladies of Mt. Rose!

Friday night is still perfect for selfies and autographs, especially during a rainstorm.  Lines are minimal and there’s more time to meet celebrities like Moseley and his “Devil’s Rejects” co-stars Ken Foree, and Tyler Mane.  Also on hand were everyone’s favorite snarky cheerleader Kelli Maroney, to name a few.  There were also several cast reunions and panels from films like “Night of the Demons,” “The Monster Squad,” and even C.J. Graham and Thom Matthews from “Friday the 13th Part 6: Jason Lives!”

The cast of “A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child” reuniting for the 35 anniversary.

Chris Stiles from Pop Culture Punk was once again the go-to moderator for the weekend, and he did a great job when the cast of “A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child” took the stage.  There was a lot of reminiscing about the film’s practical effects and the bond that the cast developed. On hand were Lisa Wilcox, Joe Seely, Erika Alexander, Danny Hassel, Nick Mele, Michael Bailey Smith, and Whit Hertford, who pretended to field a call from Warner Brothers about a possible legacy sequel to “part 5.”  There were plenty of laughs when Smith talked about playing “Super Freddy,” his very first role in a film.  I also talked to him briefly about his role as “Pluto” in the remake of “The Hills Have Eyes.”  Did you know he and Aaron Stanford won a Chainsaw award for the climactic fight scene?  If you’ve seen it, you’ll know it’s well-deserved.

Fangoria-featured artist Tess Givnish sells Barbie-style prints of horror characters.

Card game enthusiasts will also be happy to know the revamped cult classic “Grave Robbers from Outer Space” was exhibiting its newly-Kickstarted revamp at the con, with a demonstration table and all.  There’s seemingly something for everyone at this con, and it marks twice in one year I’ve been to NJ Horror Con.  I already can’t wait to go back.

For upcoming events, including the upcoming shows, check out the official website.

Stay up to date with “The Dark Side Of Pop Culture” by following Macabre Daily on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.