I am a horror fan, mainly from the comfort of my home. When I first moved to Arizona, my spouse and I went to Rob Zombie’s Great American Nightmare. This is where I learned I could not do in-person horror and spent most of the night studying the set design. However, horror-themed cons are my jam; I love seeing the cosplayers and chatting up vendors. So, when I heard my local shop, Terror Trader, was hosting its first annual con, I knew I had to be there. I grabbed my favorite misfits and headed to the Mesa Convention Center for The Gathering of the Ghouls.
Terror Trader
Terror Trader is a shop in Chandler, Arizona, that deserves an article all on its own. Therefore, I am going to give a brief introduction for context. If you are a fan of horror and local artists, this place is a goldmine. From oddities to niche film merch, there is something for every fan here. Plus, every corner of the store has opportunities for photo ops. It is glorious, and I am excited to dive further in the future.
Gathering of the Ghouls Events
Guests and Cosplay
At the Gathering of the Ghouls, fans were encouraged to delve into their favorite franchises in various ways. There were celebrity signings, including Amelia Kinkade (Night of the Demons), Caroline Williams (Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2), Lloyd Kaufman (Toxic Avenger), Mark Torgl (Toxic Avenger), Charles Band (Puppet Master), Miko Hughes (Pet Sematary), and Jackson Robert Scott (Locke and Key).
At the Gathering of the Ghouls, fans were encouraged to delve into their favorite franchises in various ways. There were celebrity signings, including Amelia Kinkade (Night of the Demons), Caroline Williams (Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2), Lloyd Kaufman (Toxic Avenger), Mark Torgl (Toxic Avenger), Charles Band (Puppet Master), Miko Hughes (Pet Sematary), and Jackson Robert Scott (Locke and Key).
Kinkade and Williams also judged the cosplay contest on Saturday night. Unfortunately, I was exhausted and could not attend the contest. However, I did catch the video on YouTube, and all the contestants did a lovely job. I am always blown away by the creativity and heart these artists have. I, of course, had to shout out the winners.
- First place: Alexandria (14)
- It’s an absolutely fantastic Jaws rendition.
- Second place: Pumpkin King (32)
- That pumpkin head was gross in all the right ways.
- Third place: Midsommar (33)
- They even cried as they walked on stage; it was fabulous.
Vendors
The Gathering of the Ghouls was divided into three sections. When you first enter the Mesa Convention Center, there is a lovely ticket area. From here, you can splinter off to the right or left. Every inch possible was used to house vendor booths. The Terror Trader website boasts 100 vendors at this event; I do not doubt that for a second. Everyone I ran into was so kind and passionate about their craft. Here is a list of all the vendors in attendance.
Film Screenings
Finally, there were film screenings throughout the first day. Attendees bundled their tickets with one or more of the films. This year, they showed Puppet Master, Dr. Saville’s Horror Show, Toxic Avenger, and Dylan’s New Nightmare. I walked through a mini haunted house for Dr. Saville’s Horror Show, which seemed fun to watch with friends. In the end, there was something for every type of horror fan.
Thoughts
When Terror Trader puts on another convention, I will be there. Typically, first-annual cons do not feel this polished. Had I not gone into this event knowing that this was the first Gathering of the Ghouls, I would not have been able to tell. There was room to move around without feeling like I was constantly in the way. The flow of traffic flowed in a logical direction. It went on without a hitch in my mind. Overall, I had a blast and look forward to the next event. Finally, if you want to see another cool spot in the East Valley, I highly recommend the Explorers’ Emporium.
