Last year’s South Carolina Horror Convention attendees look at a selection of masks. (photo courtesy of J. Moulton/Carolina News & Reporter)
Family-friendly horror might sound like an oxymoron, but it is exactly what the upcoming South Carolina Horror Convention promises to deliver.
The convention is returning for its “sequel” this Friday and Saturday after a strong inaugural show last year.
The idea for the convention came after seasoned horror convention coordinator, J. Moulton of Columbia, was alerted to the lack of fan events in the state. Moulton got to work planning and connected with members of the horror fan community across the state.
The result? More than 3,500 people showed up.
“We had people from Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, Vegas, California, which was weird for a first-year show,” Moulton said.
But the convention also has a unique twist. It caters to families. And it offers an event called “Children of the Con” to make the future of the horror fandom feel included.
“Children are often overlooked, and they don’t have a lot to do, which drives families away,” Moulton said. “And honestly the kids are tomorrow’s horror fans. So they need to be just as respected and looked after as the adults.”
Moulton also focuses on making family fun affordable. After noticing high ticket prices for other family activities, he decided to offer free admission to children aged 12 and under.
“We have three kids,” he said. “My wife and I, we find like everybody else it’s hard to take them to Carowinds or Disney, all those places that charge a lot. So, our mission because we both have other jobs, is that we wanted to build a place with the expertise I built over the years that will be inexpensive and families can go to and make memories.”
The convention’s embrace of inclusivity does not just extend to children. It also makes an effort to set low ticket prices to make the event accessible and benefit its many vendors.
Jorg Hohmann owns Heroes and Dragons is a Columbia comic book storeowner and a convention vendor.
“He keeps the entry price for the general public low and that makes it really accessible for a lot of people all over the board,” Hohmann said. “And, yeah, just tons of people coming through the door – smiling faces having a good time.”
Yet, even with low ticket prices, Moulton expected a modest turnout. But people attended from across the state and country.
While Moulton marketed and organized the convention, he credits its success to the South Carolinians that showed interest.
“It’s a real testament to the people of South Carolina,” Moulton said. “It sounds cheesy, but they wanted it.”
Fueled by last year’s success, Moulton has spent the past year planning this year’s gathering. It will include celebrity guests, panels, a haunted house and more.
Christofer Cook is a local author of “Lurching Forward,” a biography of the actor who played the Lurch character on the Addams Family. He’s also a panelist this year.
“There’s something there for everyone,” Cook said. “It is lively. It is fun. And there are lots of activities that just keep everybody busy.”
With only days to go until the convention, Moulton soon will start planning the third installment to complete the trilogy.
He creates a movie trailer for the show.
“I put those up the day the show ends that Sunday, so we’ve already got a theme,” Moulton said.
Stay tuned.
