Twilight fans unite at Rosemont convention
The drizzle and gray skies were perfectly Forks-like Saturday for the second day of the Official Twilight Convention in Rosemont.
More than 600 fans of the popular book and film series - some dressed like their favorite characters - got the chance to rub shoulders with some of the movie's stars, meet other Twilighters and peruse a virtual mall of vampire- and Werewolf-themed merchandise.
"We're Geeks and we admit it," said Erin Reece, 26, of Spiceland, Ind., who drove about six hours with her friend Emily Hedges, 27, of Newcastle, Ind., to attend the convention.
Others traveled from Michigan, Iowa and Wisconsin.
"Our husbands laugh at us so we left them at home with the kids," Hedges added.
Reece and Hedges, who have each read all four books in the series by Stephanie Meyer and already have tickets the premier of the second film, "New Moon," said they planned to return to Indiana after the three-day event with armloads of merchandise.
Toni Serio, 12, from Cary, was also on the hunt for more posters. Although movie posters plaster the walls and ceiling of her bedroom - much to the chagrin of her sister - Toni had her eye out for a new addition.
Gary Berman, a CEO of Creation Entertainment, which is coordinating the three-day event, said the convention is set to tour across the country in 2010, including another stop in Rosemont in June.
"This is a social event for fans who share a passion for the same subject matter: 'Twilight'," Berman said. "It is such a phenomenon and there are message board and Internet groups. This is a chance for the fans to meet face-to-face."
Berman said it's also a way for fans to interact with the stars they love, like Michael Welch and Justin Chon, who play Mike Newton and Eric Yorkie, respectively.
The two actors sat down for an hourlong question and answer session in a hotel ballroom of teenage girls who frequently interrupted the pair with hollers and whoops, particularly at the mention of Robert Pattinson who plays heartthrob Edward Cullen.
The convention continues Sunday at the Westin O'Hare Hotel, 6100 River Road, Rosemont. Tickets are $25. For a full schedule, see www.twilightconvention.com.