I am dragging ass as I type this right now because I had quite the eventful non-stop weekend and it could not have ended on a higher note! Each day this weekend we had something going on, but Sunday my husband and I took my Daddio to his very first horror con in celebration of his (belated) 70th birthday!
His actual birthday was in January but my husband and I wanted to do something extra special for him for his milestone birthday. So when Days of the Dead announced Malcolm McDowel would be at their Chicago show I presented the idea of him going with us so he could finally experience one and get the chance to actually meet one of his fave actors. So instead of planning a whole weekend like we normally would do, we planned the perfect Sunday Funday!
The last time my husband and I met Malcolm was many moons ago and I had actually had him sign one of his A Clock Work Orange 8″x10″ photos to gift to my Dad. So this time since he was there with us we made sure we got him a photo op to commemorate the fun and memorable time we had.
When it was our turn to take a photo with him, I made sure to tell Malcolm that we were celebrating my Dad’s 70th birthday by bringing him to his first horror con to meet him. Malcolm looked at my Dad and was surprised he was 70, shook his hand and told him he was a youngster. It was a great feeling to see my Dad so happy in that moment.
I was pretty stoked to see that Heather Langenkamp was in attendance at this con. I had never met her before and growing up in the 80’s she has always been one of my favorite final girl/scream queens. So we decided to hop in line and meet her. Dad had so many great questions to ask her and she seemed to really enjoy the conversation we had with her. She was all around everything I thought she would be. She loved my pants and even asked me where I got my Kermit The Frog purse. Meeting her definitely moved her up my art bucket list.
During our con adventure I discovered where I get my “ohh it’s a pinball machine, I must play it” habit from. Dad saw me playing the Texas Chainsaw Massacre one and told me how much he has always loved to play pinball and joined in on the fun.
As an artist himself, my Dad really enjoyed seeing all the talented vendors and talking to to them about their creations.
Daddy’s little ghoul, didn’t gift any art at this show because I wanted it to be more of a chill laid back time, however my Dad still got to see me in full convention action mode while networking at the event. Passing out business cards, talking to fellow artists about their printing techniques, getting donation prizes for the swag bags I put together for Flashback Weekend, talking with others about our hearse and club, and even meeting up with our friend Jeff of Anthony’s Collectibles to exchange cross promotional items and ideas.
We ended the day with treating Dad to a meal at Bill Murray’s Caddy Shack restaurant before heading back home. Frank and I have always wanted to eat there but it’s usually packed. However being in Sunday and towards the end of the con we made perfect timing and got right in for a table and it wasn’t over crowded at all.
It was great finally getting to bring Dad to a show and I am so happy he had such a great time. Now this introvert is ready to use this week to recharge as much as possible for some exciting things that are on horizon for next weekend too! Stay tuned!
Stay Spooky & Magical,
LDG Nicole
