There aren’t many places you can catch cosplayers dressed as a monster from your favorite 80’s horror flick steps away from the actor who played the monster, but every six months for 35 years, fans of television, sci-fi and schlocky horror have been afforded the rare chance to partake in an experience like this at the Chiller Theatre convention in Parsippany, NJ, where fans connected with actors and creatives from their favorite works like “Back to the Future” and “Die Hard,” Oct 24-26. Just across a busy highway in a separate hotel, barely over the border that separates Whippany from Parsippany, The Big Event NY hosted a competing convention, aptly titled the Chill Out Expo, Oct 24-25, featuring guests that included Ice-T, CoCo, Dennis Rodman, and Gene Simmons. Fans flocked to both hotels throughout the weekend, many wearing wristbands from both shows, and bouncing between the two venues to score autographs, participate in photo-ops, and shop at independent vendors.
Johnny Knollwood photos
Chiller Theatre, which celebrated its 35th anniversary this year, ran like a well-oiled machine. The convention boasts guests that are often overlooked on the ever-growing convention circuit, often hosting actors who performed in supporting roles, behind-the-scenes creatives, and high-profile musicians. Standout guests at this year’s convention included original SNL cast member Garrett Morris, Reginald VelJohnson, who starred in “Family Matters” and “Die Hard,” and actors from “Back to the Future” including Donald Fullilove (Mayor Goldie Wilson), Harry Waters Jr. (Marvin Berry), 94-year-old James Tolkan (Principal Strickland), and singer Huey Lewis. Morris, who is 88 years old, was in good spirits Saturday, as he joked around with a long line of attendees and signed 8x10s that pictured him in some of his most iconic SNL roles like Dominican baseball player Chico Escuela, and the translator for “News for the Hard of Hearing,” on the Weekend Update. “What do you want, money?” Morris asked a fan who referred to him as “Mr. Morris.” “It’s Garrett!” Fullilove and Waters, who have appeared at Chiller in the past, were located outside for most of the weekend, posted up by two replica vehicles from the films, including the iconic DeLorean time machine as they joked around with passersby.
The Big Event NY, which holds a regular wrestling convention and has previously sponsored guest appearances at past Chiller Theatre shows, held its first annual Chill Out Expo across the street in Whippany, NJ. The similarly titled and themed convention was announced in a Facebook post written on July 1 that claimed the outlet was “no longer welcome at a show [they] felt like a major part of.” The event drew lots of attention for its slew of high-profile guests like Ice-T, Gene Simmons, Ann-Margaret, and Dennis Rodman, as well as a $10 advance ticket price, a fraction of the $35 advance Chiller Theatre ticket. However, the show was plagued by bouts of miscommunication, line mismanagement, and guest cancellations that left some fans agitated. Guest cancellations — some of them headliners like Brad Garrett — were not announced to the public via social media; their names simply disappeared from the lineup on the website. Some fans were confused about entry points, as in-demand guests like Simmons, Ann-Margaret, and Star Trek’s William Shatner were housed in a separate area of the hotel, inaccessible from the main show floor, leaving many waiting in lines outside and exposed to the elements. Another long line formed outside for general admission attendees waiting to get into the main show floor due to restrictions from the fire marshal. Nonetheless, once inside, fans seemed happy with their guest experiences, as attendees moved swiftly through meet and greet lines. Both conventions will return this April. You can stay up to date with Chiller Theatre at chillertheatre.com, and The Big Event NY at vivenu.com.