Everyone loves a good scare once in a while. Hence the long-running popularity of the horror genre, including films like the recently released hit The black phone or TV shows like stranger things. Events like the annual Mad Monster Party Arizona, a weekend-long local horror fandom convention, also tap into that love for the genre.
The event, which has been held in the Valley since 2014, features three days of actors and artists associated with the horror genre, along with vendors and programming. This year’s edition takes place from Friday July 8th to Sunday July 10th at the Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel.
Kevin Blanchfield, one of the organizers of Mad Monster Party Arizona, said Phoenix New Times in 2017 that the scam is aimed at all kinds of horror lovers, regardless of their level of fandom.
“There are the guys who are hardcore horror fans who will come out in droves and the more casual fans who just know who Jason Voorhees is,” Blanchfield said. “We respond to both crowds.”
That’s why the crowds at Mad Monster Party Arizona tend to be diverse. There are cosplayers and punks. Mumblegore fans and slasher movie geeks. Suburban families and tattooed monsters. Everyone is here to have a good time celebrating their love of horror while interacting with celebrities and other fans.
The atmosphere tends to be energetic (hence the “party” in the name of the event), but nowhere near as hectic as other local conventions.
“We’re keeping our show on a smaller level and trying to create different experiences out of these big comicons,” Blanchfield said.
Mad Monster Party Arizona 2022 will feature celebrity guests such as Neve Campbell from Scream and twin peaks actress Sherilyn Fenn. If you’re ready to attend, the following is a detailed guide to the event, including prizes and other important details.
When and where is Mad Monster Party Arizona 2022?
The three-day event will haunt the Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel, 9495 West Coyotes Boulevard in Glendale, from Friday, July 8 through Sunday, July 10.
What are the schedules ?
It depends on what part of the event you are talking about. The Mad Monster Pary Vendor Room will be open from 6-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.
Q&A panels and photo ops will continue until 11 p.m. Friday, 6 p.m. Saturday and 4:45 p.m. Sunday. There are also nighttime and after-hours activities like Scaraoke and the MAdam Monster Contest. (See the full program below for more information.)
How much is admission?
Tickets are only available at the door. Admission for one day is $40 on Friday or Sunday and $50 on Saturday. If you want to participate in all three days, a “SHRIEKend” pass costs $90. Hit an ATM before heading to the event, as they will only accept cash.
Lil’ Jason Voorhees at a past Mad Monster Party Arizona.
Benjamin Leatherman
Are there age limits?
No. Mad Monster Party Arizona is an all-ages event and kids under 12 are free with paid adult admission. Be warned, however, the event focuses on horror, which might be a bit extreme for kids. Some after-hours activities (like the MAdam Monster Contest) might get a bit risky.
Will Mad Monster Party have any COVID-19 restrictions?
There are no official policies listed on the event website. That said, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends wearing a properly fitted N95 mask when attending public gatherings or events. Additionally, anyone feeling sick or showing symptoms of COVID-19 would be advised to stay home.
Where can I park?
It’s free to park in any of the thousands of spaces available at the Westgate Entertainment District. Things get really busy on weekends, so you might have to look for a spot. Parking is also available in the hotel’s multi-level structure for $10 per day.
What food and drink options are available?
The hotel has a fast-casual cafe called Ray’s and the more upscale restaurant Soleil. Westgate is also within walking distance and has over a dozen food and drink establishments. Fast food joints like Carl’s Jr. and fast food options like Chipotle are also nearby.
Which vendors will be there?
According to the Mad Monster Party website, the dealer hall will host more than 120 vendors during the event. The selection will include retailers like Bookmans and Zia Records, artists (Immortal Illustrations, Cult Creep Art) and publishers (Blood Bound Books, Pallbearer Press). There will also be a few local tattoo studios, haunted attractions, clothing companies, toy stores, and prop makers. A full list of providers is available here.
Which celebrity guests are appearing this year?
Screamby Neve Campbell, Sherilyn Fenn by twin peaksand MacheteDanny Trejo tops the list of celebrity guests at the event. The actors behind such horror icons as Jason Voorhees (Kane Hodder), Michael Meyer (Nick Castle) and the Cryptkeeper (John Nassir) will also appear. Other notable names include Jeffrey Combs and Barbara Crampton of ResuscitatorSky Elobar and Michael St. Michaels of The greasy stranglerand Ken Foree of dawn of the dead. Guests won’t be strictly limited to the horror genre because Rugrats voice actress EG Daly and Robert Carradine, Don Gibb and Brian Tochi of revenge of the nerds will also be there.
How much do celebrity autographs and photoshoots cost?
It depends. Celebrity guests will pose with guests in professional photo ops throughout the weekend, which can be purchased at the event and will cost between $40 and $100 or more. Some diners will also offer selfies at their table, as well as autographs. Prices also vary for each.
What programming is planned?
Several high-profile guests have Q&A panels scheduled throughout the weekend, including Campbell, Trejo, Fenn and Hodder. There will also be panels focusing on specific movies featuring multiple actors, like Sunday’s revenge of the nerds Q&A with Carradine, Gibb and Tochi. Other activities include a charity auction and costume contests.
Haven’t we all seen you the brilliant?
Benjamin Leatherman
What type of costume should you wear?
Given Mad Monster Party’s horror bent, attendees tend to dress as characters from Stranger Things, The Walking Dead, Saw, Get Out, and many other movies and TV shows of the genre. (You are, however, free to wear costumes inspired by other genres and fandoms.) And if you have a great outfit, an adult cosplay contest will take place at 7 p.m. on Saturday, followed by a separate children’s contest at 4 p.m. a.m. on Sunday. Both will offer cash prizes.
What is the schedule?
Here’s a full rundown of what’s happening and when for the three-day Mad Monster Party Arizona 2022.
Friday July 8:
Doors open at 6 p.m.
7:00 p.m. – Q&A panel by Tom Devlin
7:15 p.m. – revenge of the nerds photo shoots (groups and singles)
7:30 p.m. – Spencer Charnas photoshoot
8:00 p.m. – Q&A panel by Ken Foree; Photo shoot Sherilyn Fenn
8:30 p.m. – Deborah Foreman and EG Daily photo op
9 p.m. – greasy strangler Q&A panel; Photo shoot John Kassir
9:30 p.m. – Nick Castle photo shoot
9:45 p.m. – Robert Rusler photo shoot
10:00 p.m. Q&A Panel by Robert Rusler
11 p.m. – Crazy Monster Scaraoke
Neve Campbell, actress of Scream and Party of Five.
Saturday July 9
Doors open at 11 a.m.
Noon – Q&A Panel by Danny Trejo; Photo shoot Sherilyn Fenn
12:30 p.m. – Spencer Charnas photo
1:00 p.m. – Danny Trejo photoshoot
1:15 p.m. – Q&A panel by Kane Hodder
2:15 p.m. – Q&A panel by Nick Castle
2:15 p.m. – John Kassir photoshoot
2:45 p.m. – Robert Rusler photoshoot
3:15 p.m. – Neve Campbell photo op; Resuscitator Q&A panel with Jeffrey Combs and Barbara Crampton
4:15 p.m. – Voice-over panel with. EG Daily and John Kassir
4:30 p.m. – Jeffrey Combs, Ken Foree, Barbara Crampton photo ops (groups and singles)
4:45 p.m. – Nick Castle photo op
5:15 p.m. – Q&A panel by Deborah Foreman
5:30 p.m. – Unique Deborah Foreman and EG Daily photo op
6 p.m. – revenge of the nerds photo shoots (groups and singles); Mad Monster Charity Auction
7 p.m. – Adult costume contest
8:15 p.m. – MADame Monster Contest
9:30 p.m. – Crazy Monster Scaraoke
Sunday July 10
Doors open at 11 a.m.
11:30 a.m. – Nick Castle photo op
Noon – Q&A Panel by Neve Campbell
12:15 p.m. – Photo ops Jeffrey Combs, Ken Foree, Barbara Crampton (groups and singles)
12:30 p.m. – Spencer Charnas photo shoot
12:45 p.m. – revenge of the nerds photo shoots (groups and singles)
1 p.m. – revenge of the nerds Q&A panel with Robert Carradine, Don Gibb and Brian Tochi
1:15 p.m. – Neve Campbell photo op
2 p.m. – Q&A on Rochelle Davis; Photo shoot John Kassir
2:15 p.m. – Rochelle Davis photo shoot
2:45 p.m. – Danny Trejo photo shoot
3:00 p.m. Q&A Panel by Sherilyn Fenn
3:30 p.m. – Deborah Foreman and EG Daily individual photo ops
4:00 p.m. – Sherilyn Fenn Photo Op; Children’s costume contest
4:15 p.m. – Robert Rusler photo shoot