MONROE, Mich. — If you’re looking to get your mid-winter horror fix, look no further than the Michigan Oddities and Horror Fest in Monroe this weekend.
Over 100 vendors are participating for this, the second year for the event, which is going on all weekend at the Monroe County Fairgrounds on Custer Rd.
On Saturday, guests were able to meet Kane Hodder, who played Jason Vorhees in numerous Friday the 13th movies. Pro-wrestler Electric Sabu also made an appearance at the event.
Vendors were thrilled with the turnout on Saturday.
“We were here last year. It was one of our best shows we've ever done. It’s huge. It’s a great excuse to really showcase our terrariums, which is something we don't get to do a whole lot of,” said vendor Greer Bowley, with Green Crow Plants out of Rossford.
Festival organizer Nate Thompson says they have worked hard to make the expo something unique for the area and attendees have responded.
“Every year we try and aim to be crazier and more unique, and with that, our vendors are happy. The first year that we've done this, most of them sold out. People are dressing up. It's honestly some of the coolest things I've ever seen,” said Thompson.
People attending the expo love the camaraderie they have with other attendees and relish the chance to show off their interests.
“I love dressing as Jason because it makes me feel good when people ask to get a photo with me. I want to be known as somebody. You know, I'm not getting paid for this. I just do this to put smiles on people's faces,” said ‘Jason’ from St. John’s, Michigan.
Thompson is thrilled with how the horror community in the area has responded to the expo and his other ventures as a filmmaker.
“I think I relate very closely to the community. This is the place I was born and raised. I started filming a couple horror short films here and there and I realized that the people who were attending the premieres for the five minute short films – it's a lot of people. And I started looking around and this is – these are people a lot like me! They love horror stuff but there's nothing around,” said Thompson.
The expo continues on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are $20. Kids 8 and under are free.
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