The first time I went to a horror movie convention was at Rock and Shock 2015. I was around sixteen, just starting to delve deep into my horror obsession. Not fully invested to be at my current cosmic horror obsession level, but enough for it to be my main genre preference.
It was my first con experience. My dad and I stood outside the DCU Center (in Worcester, MA) for about forty minutes. I wasn’t expecting what I saw. All these people got together to celebrate something they loved. I had a blast! I met Derek Meyers, Naomi Grossman, Bill Johnson, and so on.
I had so much fun that I went back in 2016, dragging my mom and my brother along. Met Derek Meyers again. Who is an incredibly nice man, remembered my name when he signed my autograph because it’s a fairly uncommon name.
Due to a series of unfortunate events, I couldn’t attend the following years. Even worse was Rock and Shock’s closing announcement in 2020 that the con would be permanently stopping. I was crushed, to say the least, because I was able to attend at that point.
So I kind of stopped going to horror cons for a while.
Until last weekend, that is.
I was clowning around on the internet when I discovered MonstahXpo, a horror convention happening in Nashua, NH during the weekend of the 13th and 14th. One of the hotels was hosting it. The ride wouldn’t be long or shorter than other cons I’ve been to this year.
I looked at my partner, who was interested in going on Sunday. We had DND Saturday and I never missed my chance to play my character Dave.
MonstahXpo took place in Nashua’s Sheraton Hotel. They had signs pointing to which door to enter, which was handy. Tickets were twenty bucks each for adults. The lady who gave us our wristbands was extremely helpful in telling us about events and celebrity signings happening that day. It didn’t take forever to get into the con. Only a few minutes from walking into the front door, getting our tickets, and going into the con.
The con itself was on the smaller side, but I enjoy smaller cons. There’s less of a crowd. Easier to navigate and look at booths. Less of a chance for the con flu. The con took up multiple rooms. It wasn’t difficult to navigate. The use of signage was great.
MonstahXpo had a great blend of vendors. Lots of artists and authors. I had a chance to talk to several of them before it got a little busy. Lots of nice people!
I managed to snag a bunch of prints, stickers, and even a sofubi toy! I also got a few comics and a novel.
These prints and stickers were from a booth called ArtMuffin! My partner was excited about the prints and using them for DND purposes. We do have plans to order more in the future. The prints were very occultist, and it’s a vibe I enjoy.
I forgot to grab the booth name for this one, but they had a TON of vintage horror comics.
I got to meet Ben Goldsmith and get an autograph on the first issue of “The Seance Room”. The other book I got was “Black Honey” by Steve Van Samson. It’s a horror short story complication.
Then I got this cute little Mothman keychain from EpikAsia Art. They had an MLP human centipede print that I wanted for the living room but was promptly shut down. If they ever put those prints up for sale, someone’s going to get it for Christmas.
I also got my first sofubi toy from Yuck Trading Co! I also plan on buying more once I get this dude painted (haven’t decided on colors yet).
We did get some standard horror movie posters as well.
Looking at the con’s site, they do state that this is a juried event in terms of vendors. They also noted that they don’t allow MLM’s so you didn’t get a million booths for Scentsy and crap like that. NSFW art (for which there were only two posters) was covered tastefully with sticky notes.
It felt like an enjoyable blend of booths selling things like Taxidermy wet specimens, comics, novels, posters, and more. Every booth had something unique to offer. They even had a make-your-own puppet room. I didn’t make one, but I do have plans to do so next year.
I didn’t take photos of the con, just because I always feel awkward taking pictures. It’s too awkward.
I was surprised to learn this was their first con in New Hampshire. It ran smoothly! They did a great job running this con. I know they already announced next year’s Nashua MonstahXpo!
MonstahXpo does have another convention coming up on October 12th-13th at the Seaport Resort (Fairhaven, MA). I may attend if my schedule isn’t crazy (IPMS events and so on).
Here’s a link to their:
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Have a snazzy Sunday — J
Creeping for Scale Models 