PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Steel City Con has rapidly become the go-to convention for pop culture fans in the Pittsburgh area. This convention was first founded in 1994 and has gone through several name changes over the years. The Pittsburgh Comic Con has been going under its latest incarnation, the Steel City Con, since 2019 and has taken its popularity to the next level. This three day extravaganza continues to expand its guest list and events as it reaches an all time peak in attendance and visibility.
Steel City Con’s latest event ran April 8-10, 2022, and saw record breaking numbers of attendees on all three days. The level of guests they attract has grown exponentially in the last several years as well. Some of the notables this year included Robert Englund (A Nightmare On Elm Street 1984), Nick Castle (Halloween 1979,) and Ken Kirzinger (Freddy vs. Jason 2003). There were some massive non-genre legends there as well, including Christopher Lloyd (Back to the Future 1985), Chevy Chase (National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation 1989), and Christina Ricci (The Addams Family 1991). Not only did guests have a chance to meet and have items signed by their heroes, but Steel City Con also offers various photo op packages and Q&A panels.
I had the pleasure of speaking to Castle and Heather Langenkamp (Wes Craven’s New Nightmare 1994 – check out our retro review here), and they both remarked at how friendly and welcoming the event was. The staff floated around to point everyone in the right direction to keep lines moving smoothly and keep attendees up to date on the scheduling information. But it wasn’t just the thirty guests and five featured artists that kept everyone enthralled. In the entry room and subsequent back room, there are over 600 vendors lined up in the 100,000 square foot space that sell memorabilia and merchandise. So while you’re waiting for your favorite celebrity to become available, you have a massive selection of handmade art and valuable collectibles to browse and buy.
Steel City Con doesn’t even stop there. Near their rest area, they offer food and drinks for their patrons. Sunday is also special, as the last day of the convention houses a costume contest to reward the most dedicated cosplayers of all ages. They return to the Monroeville Convention Center 3-4 times per year, and their next event is scheduled for the weekend of August 12-14, 2022. Be sure to check their website at Steelcitycon.com for updates and announcements. Whether you’re a fan of film, wrestling, or comic books, I cannot recommend this convention enough. It truly contains something for everyone.
