This past weekend, I attended my very first horror convention.

I'm no stranger to conventions—I've spent plenty of weekends wandering comic conventions over the years—but this was my first event dedicated entirely to horror. As both a lifelong horror fan and a horror author, I was excited to see what the experience would be like.

Overall, I had a great time, and it was refreshing to spend the day surrounded by people who share the same appreciation for all things creepy, strange, and macabre.

One of the biggest highlights was simply the atmosphere. There were horror fans of every kind, from casual movie lovers to die-hard collectors, and everyone I met was friendly and welcoming. There's something special about being surrounded by people who enjoy the same niche interests you do. It creates an instant sense of community that's hard to describe.

The cosplay was another standout. There were some incredibly creative costumes throughout the convention, and my nephew especially enjoyed meeting one Art the Clown cosplayer who made it his mission to give him a good scare. Thankfully, my nephew is a huge Terrifier fan, so he absolutely loved it!

There was a photo consent policy in place for cosplayers and vendor booths. While it did make documenting the event a little more difficult for someone as introverted as me (I wasn't about to ask every booth if I could snap a picture); I completely understand why the policy exists. I did manage to grab one photo of my nephew with Pennywise (with his face covered because... well, internet).

The convention was also very affordable. Admission was only $25 for a one-day pass, children under 12 got in free, and parking was both plentiful and free. That's hard to beat, especially for families.

I also have to give a shout-out to a couple of vendors that really stood out. The folks at Mini Shop of Horror had some amazingly detailed horror-themed creations, and Spectral Void Art is where I picked up my new Art the Clown Squidward notebook. I can't wait to put that one to good use ;).

Of course, no first convention experience would be complete without a few observations on what could make an already enjoyable event even better.

The biggest thing that surprised me was how many attendees there were compared to the size of the convention itself. There was clearly a strong turnout and plenty of enthusiasm, but after making a lap around the vendor floor, my nephew and I had seen nearly everything in about thirty minutes. The vendors that were there were excellent—artists, authors, horror merchandise, celebrities, and handmade creations—but I found myself wishing there had simply been more of them.

My nephew was hoping to find a specific Jason Voorhees collectible, and I was surprised by how few vendors specialized in horror collectibles. Considering the number of attendees, it feels like there's plenty of room for additional vendors in the future.

I also think adding a few more activities could encourage attendees to spend the entire day at the convention. A small haunted attraction, horror film screenings, makeup demonstrations, escape rooms, or interactive experiences would give visitors something to enjoy between shopping and panel discussions. We genuinely wanted to stay longer just to soak in the atmosphere, but eventually we found ourselves running out of things to do.

Food was another area that could grow. The food truck outside was appreciated, but having a few more options would be a welcome addition as the convention continues to expand.

As a horror author, I naturally spent a little extra time in Author Alley. There were several talented writers showcasing their work, but I couldn't help noticing that the author booths seemed to receive noticeably less foot traffic than many of the others. It was a little disappointing to see because horror authors are creating stories that celebrate the very genre everyone was there to enjoy. Hopefully, as the convention grows, more attendees will discover those booths and support the writers behind the scares. It certainly gave me something to think about regarding exhibiting at a future convention myself.

Despite those observations, they didn't overshadow what was ultimately a really enjoyable experience. In fact, they left me optimistic. The turnout proved there's a passionate horror community here, and with a few more vendors and activities, I think Horror Con has the potential to become an even bigger destination event in the years ahead.

A huge thank you to the organizers, volunteers, vendors, cosplayers, and everyone else who made the convention possible. Events like this give horror fans a place to gather, celebrate the genre we love, and feel right at home.

I'll definitely be back next year, and I'm excited to see how Horror Con continues to grow.

As always, happy reading!