Horror at the Hilton, Part 2: Chiller Theatre Evacuated Once Again
It was almost one year to the day that a reported gas leak and bomb threat forced the evacuation of Chiller Theatre’s expo at New Jersey’s Hilton Parsippany Hotel. Then on Saturday, October 26, 2019, guests and attendees of the show were again faced with a similar set of circumstances. Between 4:30 and 5:00 PM on Saturday, security began moving everyone toward the front of the hotel and out into the parking area. It was not immediately clear what prompted the evacuation, but it was evident that someone may have again issued some kind of threat against the venue. The security staff and emergency responders of course treated the situation as a serious concern, although the scene was eerily reminiscent of the scare that interrupted the convention last year, which turned out to be someone’s idea of a joke.
Attendees, celebrity guests, vendors, and hotel occupants were again ushered outside the building while alarms rang out. We later learned that the Hampton Inn, which shares the same space as the Hilton on the opposite side, was also cleared out. As with last year’s event, rumors began to circulate amongst the evacuees as to what may have caused the disturbance. Based on rumblings that we heard, a person allegedly called in a specific threat, with a specific time at which a device was set to be triggered.
As everyone made their way through the parking lot, many huddled in small groups. We found ourselves in a sort of Friday the 13th “camp”, along with original Friday actress Jeannine Taylor (Marcie), The Final Chapter‘s Camilla and Carey More (Tina and Terri), and Freddy vs. Jason‘s Lochlyn Munro (Deputy Stubbs). In the midst of the ordeal, we were fortunate to have the opportunity to speak with the More twins. We talked some Friday the 13th and discussed how the events of the day unfolded in almost the exact same manner as in the year prior. It should be noted that, in the middle of the disruption, many of Chiller’s celebrity guests were still gracious and kind enough to interact with people even in the face of possible danger.
Luckily the weather fared better this time around, ditching the cold rain of 2018 for a warmer, sunny affair. Various cosplayers could be seen wandering around the property, and for a moment it almost seemed as though the convention had simply been moved outdoors. Still, the many vendors and guests, as well as the convention itself and its staff, are going to be negatively impacted by this type of activity. Whoever is responsible really needs to cut it out and find something better to do. Fortunately, at the end of the day no one was hurt and that is most important. Based on the numbers from last October, an estimated 3,000 people had to be removed safely from the hotel. Like last year, vendors, guests, and attendees were allowed back inside once the all-clear was given, and the show was extended until 9PM. The Chiller staff, security, and emergency personnel once again handled the situation professionally and ensured that everyone remained safe. For that, they all deserve a great deal of credit.
