PopHorror Let's Get Scared
It was an incredible honor to represent PopHorror at the ninth installment of Astronomicon. Watching this pop culture convention evolve from its humble beginnings into what it is today has been nothing short of amazing. Getting the chance to attend and experience everything this event had to offer has been truly exciting.
Astronomicon 9 had a great blend of pop culture celebrities, but for me it was all about finally meeting the horror legend, Shawnee Smith. This has been on my bucket list for years because of my love for her roles in The Blob and the Saw franchise. When the convention opened, I made sure to be first in line, and it was absolutely worth it. She signed my collectible steelbooks, and the celebrity interaction was even better than I’d hoped for. The photo op was incredible—truly an unforgettable experience.
Additionally, I had the pleasure of meeting Thomas Lennon in his short Reno 911 shorts and a very much alive Terry Kiser from Weekend at Bernie’s! Thomas Lennon is hilarious and gave it his all for posing for selfies with fans. Terry Kiser shared the story about how a motorcycle accident and a mustache led to landing his epic role as Bernie. Both celebrities provided a great fan experience.
Next up was checking out vendors! I had a great time exploring the vendor areas. I was especially excited to check out the artwork of Kyle Rise Irving and the unique t-shirt designs from Plug Uglie. There were a couple of new vendors that stood out this time. The Horror House featured an awesome selection of horror-themed prints, magnets, and shirts, while Devil’s Night Brand impressed with their striking horror art across prints, apparel, and boards. I ended up heading home with some fantastic new merch!
Finally, I enjoyed all the cosplay! There were so many, but the horror themed ones were obviously my favorite. It was great snapping some pictures with them.
There was so much happening at Astronomicon 9 that it was nearly impossible to experience it all. I usually make time for panels, but this year there simply weren’t enough hours in the day. Still, it was an outstanding convention from start to finish, and I’m already looking forward to what future installments have in store!
