Tag: Convention

Supernatural Boston 2026 with Jared, Jensen, Misha and More!

Supernatural Boston 2026 with Jared, Jensen, Misha and More!

spnfans

I was SO looking forward to the Creation Tour’s Supernatural con in Boston in June – Jared Padalecki wasn’t able to be at either of the other two 2026 cons so far, so this was the first time I’d be seeing Jared and Jensen onstage together since the fall of 2025. That is WAY too long!

It’s only a short flight – literally too short for even a soda – and miraculously it was even on time, so Thursday was a good day. I got set up in the vendor room and then joined a friend for a lovely dinner on the outdoor patio of the hotel restaurant. The clam chowder was of course delicious (as was the dessert)!

Friday I caught a little bit of the Matt Cohen and Gil McKinney panel, two of my favorite people If you haven’t seen Matt’s new film ‘Exes’, starring him and Briana Buckmaster, what are you waiting for? It’s streaming on Prime Video or wherever you stream your entertainment.

For some reason, Matt was letting everyone know he is definitely not a soup fan. I mean, look at that face.

What he would like is to be on the new The Boys prequel, Vought Rising, along with Jensen Ackles. He has the look for sure – what do you say, Kripke?

Speaking of being perfect for a part, Gil auditioned for Mad Men – he definitely has the look.

Matt told Gil the story of when a doctor looked into Jensen Ackles’ ears and went on and on about how he had perfect ear canals.

Matt: That is the most aggravating thing I’ve ever heard.

Gil: It’s just unnecessary.

Matt: He’s handsome, he’s nice, he’s talented, he’s kind… and he’s got perfect ear canals? (kicks him offstage metaphorically)

Hilariously, Matt shared that Grok called him “the Temu Jensen Ackles” hahaha.

One willow wish?

Gil: For Henry Winchester to have had more episodes!

I also caught a little of Ruth Connell’s panel – Rob greeted her with the most adorable hug.

Ruth was surprised to get off the plane and find men in kilts – and also someone who was from where she grew up!

She talked about something I’ve thought about often – how instrumental the casting agency was in making Supernatural the wonderful show and set it ended up being. She gave props to Robert Ulrich for that incredible casting.

Read more →

Creation Supernatural Cons 2026 – Norfolk!

Creation Supernatural Cons 2026 – Norfolk!

spnfans

The second Creation Supernatural convention of 2026 was in Norfolk at the end of January. It’s a quick flight, so that part was good – lucky for me, because there was snow in many parts of the country and it made getting to this con extra challenging. In fact, many people couldn’t make it there at all – it reminded me of a long ago Seattle Supernatural con that ended up getting so much snow that Jared, Jensen and Misha couldn’t get there, so it was a one day con with the few people who had made it and then we all flew back home!

This wasn’t quite as dramatic, but it was different. My friend who I’d been looking forward to seeing flew in and had to immediately fly right back out thanks to snow and pets and lack of Padaleckis.  Jared Padalecki couldn’t make it, mostly due to his badly broken leg but I’m sure complicated by how ill advised it would have been to fly with that AND snow. I missed both of them more than I can say, especially because Jared wasn’t at the first con of 2026 in Vegas. I miss that guy! Glad he was taking care of himself and prioritizing recovery though, as he should be.

All that meant I had to be in the vendor room for most of the convention – if you came by to say hi or to buy a book about Supernatural or The Boys, thank you!  I did leave the vendor room to watch Misha Collins’ panel — to find him watching his old infomercial for the Navy! Baby Misha!

He had some stories about his kids, who are getting far too big far too fast – Maison went to her first school dance and her dad was emotional about it.

Misha had some snazzy red shoelaces, which he showed off and clarified that they were not a political statement.

There were some influence jokes, to my great delight. There’s nothing better than being part of a fandom that has in-jokes, especially ones that extend through many years. (Look up the Mishalecki panel at JIB one year where Jared and Misha were collapsing with laughter after their dirty jokes about ‘influence’)

https://x.com/FangasmSPN/status/2017660849280663903?s=20

He ended with, “So there’s probably a lot of Dean’s influence in Cas…”

https://x.com/FangasmSPN/status/2017661074590343276?s=20

Misha reminisced on the hilarity of him and Jared messing around behind the scenes on Supernatural, saying it was a fond memory.

https://x.com/FangasmSPN/status/2017662094070469038?s=20

He just wrote a poem about the wormstache outtake!

Misha is a fanboy too, just not for a TV show like Supernatural – instead, he’s rather proud to be a fanboy of NPR.

Read more →

Last Supernatural Creation Con of 2025 – Nashville!

Last Supernatural Creation Con of 2025 – Nashville!

spnfans

The last Supernatural Creation con (on land anyway) of 2025 was in Nashville, as it usually is – but this time it was earlier than it has been in the past, starting on Halloween. I have too many little kids in the family to let me disappear on actual Halloween, so I flew in early on Saturday for a quick in-and-out weekend in Nashville.

Here are some highlights and photos (and some tweets with short videos of some of the panels too).

Made it in time to catch a glimpse of the lovely Felicia Day.

And for Misha’s panel!

Someone asked Misha for advice on how to keep going in these very difficult times.

Misha: You just have to keep doing what you can to fight for good. That’s what drew us all to Supernatural too.

He went on to say that we can pass down the stories that inspire us – like Supernatural.

Misha: So we can fight the demons in this world.

That is so much of what makes this Show so special, and so inspiring to so many of us.

Misha talked about his kids getting older – his son now answers his phone calls with “whaddya want?” But then he comes to him for comfort when he has a bad dream, so Misha takes solace in that. I can relate.

Misha shared his favorite memory of accomplishment – when he and Jared and Jensen were wrestling and Jared tapped out lol.

Misha: I guess the best moment I had in all the cons I’ve been to and all the time I was working on Supernatural, onscreen and off, a feeling of like vanquishing accomplishment that came from this moment, I believe an Orlando convention years ago, where we got drunk and wrestled and Jared tapped out, and it just felt so unbelievably good.

Read more →

Adventures in Oklahoma City – SPNOKC 2025!

Adventures in Oklahoma City – SPNOKC 2025!

spnfans

In June of this year, we had the first Supernatural con at OKC – and yes, it was quite an adventure (for me, anyway!)

Getting to Oklahoma City from Philly (and back) was quite an adventure in itself – a little too much adventure in fact. After multiple delays in Charlotte (which were made more bearable with some good company from Creation’s Jen and Jenn, who I ran into in the airport), I finally arrived with barely enough time to get the vendor table set up – and just as an impressive thunderstorm hit. Our Lyft driver on the way to the convention center kept the three of us entertained on the drive there, though part of that was his repeated implication that a tornado was imminent.

No tornado, but he also couldn’t figure out how to drop me off AT the convention center instead of the hotel, so I ended up trudging up the street in a rainstorm getting wetter by the second and having no idea where I was going. To make things more challenging, the street was blocked off by an impressive number of law enforcement vehicles, which totally confused me because I’m not very good at following basketball so I had no idea there were big time basketball things going on. Finally in sight of the convention center, my way was blocked by a news reporter doing a live report about the big time basketball things. I was by this time in no mood to stand in the rain a second longer, so I cut through the shot apologizing but determined. I must have looked like a woman who should not be trifled with, because they didn’t.

I quickly got set up (trying not to drip all over everything) – at least it was a nicer convention center than NJ, though I will never be happy to be in a convention center. At least the books were dry, thanks to my friend Betty delivering them safe and sound!

I was happy to be there in time to catch some of Chad Lindberg’s panel. I’ve known Chad since way way back in 2008, and I’m thrilled to have him back at some cons this year.  He wrote a fascinating chapter for There’ll Be Peace When You Are Done  with all kinds of behind the scenes information about filming with Jared and Jensen and creating the character of Ash. And his mullet.

A fan asked what role he’d love to play.

Chad: I’d like to play an alien, ala Starman – like an alien love story.

Chad is known for being a ghosthunter in real life, as well as for playing Ash on Supernatural.

Chad: People ask, did Supernatural get you into ghosts? No, we lived in a haunted house when I was growing up.

How to de-stress from a ghost hunt?

Chad: connect with those you love. And a little weed. Okay, maybe a lot…

He said that filming October Sky was a very emotional experience – they got to know the real life rocket boys.

What monster would Ash love to be?

Chad: He’d love to be a werewolf. He’s already got the hair for it!

Seriously, nobody tells a ghost story like Chad. He put out a bell that senses spirits, and every time he mentioned the haunted Stanley Hotel, it went off!

Clearly he needs to go visit.

Two of my other favorite Supernatural actors were also onstage – Gil McKinney and Matt Cohen, who both wrote very personal chapters in Family Don’t End With Blood about their experience as actors and on Supernatural.

Matt Cohen talked about his new movie, Exes, also starring Briana Buckmaster, Mark Shepherd, Felicia Day and Ricky Whittle. He said his favorite scene to direct with Briana was a terrible tough limo scene of them getting beaten up and then it being finally over!

Mark plays an American, which should be interesting – I’m so used to his Crowley accent (or his actual real life one)

Gil portrays the Mad Hatter on Matt Cohen’s other exciting new project, the animated series Public Domain – along with lots of other SPNFamily.

Gil to a clowning around Matt: You are so weird!

(They are actually entirely amusing together onstage)

Read more →

Creation Supernatural Minneapolis 2025 with Jared, Jensen and Misha!

Creation Supernatural Minneapolis 2025 with Jared, Jensen and Misha!

spnfans

The second Creation Supernatural con of 2025 was in Minneapolis, just a few weeks after Boston. I hadn’t been to a con in Minn for a while, so it was nice to be back. I have fond memories of past cons in Minneapolis, despite my lack of love for the “hamster tunnels” connecting the hotels and convention center back in the day.

This con was extra fun because my friend Mo Ryan was there too. Mo is of course a respected journalist and the author of bestseller “Burn It Down” – but she’s also a long time Supernatural fan who moderated some of the first SPN panels with the boys. We’ve had some fascinating conversations about the show and fandom and the industry over the years, and it was so fun to have her join me at my table so we could chat with people and share our books with them.

Everyone who came by to say hi or grab a book – thank you!

We joined some other friends for a fabulous drag show that was right across the street from the con and had a blast there too. Great weekend for hanging out with friends, which is one of the very best things about a convention!

photos by sabrina

It was also really nice to have Chad Lindberg back!

Chad is one of my favorite people in the universe. I was thrilled that he wrote a chapter in ‘There’ll Be Peace When You Are Done’ all about ‘The Magic of the Mullet’ and the character of Ash, who was so memorable in the early seasons of Supernatural.

He talked about some of his other memorable acting roles too, and working with some amazing people.

Chad: It’s hard to stay present when Kevin Costner is talking to you!

He said he got to introduce his mom to Costner. He held her hand and she was so flustered that she doesn’t even remember, it was so intense (as many of us can relate…)

Right now, he’s enjoying filming the new series ‘The Burbs’.

Perhaps his most memorable role is on The Fast and the Furious. He said he initially turned it down because he didn’t want to be always playing the computer nerd.

He definitely does not regret Supernatural though, saying it has changed his life.

Chad: And I thank you for that.

Chad told the story of that time Jensen Ackles taught him to shotgun a beer – you can read the whole story and a lot more bts from Sueprnatural in his chapter in ‘There’ll Be Peace When You Are Done’.

Read more →

Supernatural Cons 2025 – First Up, Boston!

Supernatural Cons 2025 – First Up, Boston!

spnfans

The first Creation con of 2025 took place in April in Boston. There was a long break between Supernatural Creation cons (the last one was in early December) so everyone was beyond excited to be back together again. There were many hugs and emotional reunions – I had missed my fellow fans and vendors as much as I’d missed the best cast in the world.

I love Boston. I’ve been there quite a few times and it’s a great city, with fabulous food and a lot of history. So I was excited that there was going to be a Supernatural con there for the first time in like a decade. The con was in April so I was hopeful for some lovely spring weather too.

My short flight (we went up and down so fast they didn’t have time to serve us a soda) let me out in what felt like a shocking return to winter, alas, and it didn’t get much better all weekend. What did I see of Boston this time? The lovely con hotel.

Oh well. It was pretty lovely.

Matt Cohen and Gil McKinney are on the tour this year and they’re two of my favorite people, so that was a treat. When I joined their panel, Matt was planning to put some guyliner on Gil that night. Why didn’t we get photos???

They both talked about how special it was to work on Supernatural, because everyone makes you feel so comfortable.

Matt on meeting Jared and Jensen for the first time: There was so much man!

I know that feeling.

Gil: Supernatural was a blessing. My favorite thing I’ve ever done.

They both believe the show, in some form, will eventually be back.

Matt: There’s too much support for Supernatural for it to dissipate.

He also pitched a Hallmark movie called “All The Johns” (which definitely does not sound G rated) starring him, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Drake Rodger and Gil – that’s a lot of John Winchester!

Matt’s actual new project is the animated series ‘Public Domain’, starring tons of SPN Family. If you’re not following and supporting, check it out!

Read more →

Last Supernatural Convention of 2024 – Nashville!

Last Supernatural Convention of 2024 – Nashville!

spnfans

The last con of 2024 was in Nashville, one of my favorite con cities. I used to love when the Nashville Supernatural con was at the ridiculously over the top Gaylord Opryland, and have lots of fond memories there with lots of friends. This year was at a hotel, but that did make it a lot easier to get back and forth to the vendor room and the con and the hotel room, gotta say!

I got there very late thanks to my flight from the west coast being repeatedly delayed in Dallas. We finally boarded, rolled onto the runway, and then sat there for a while – before turning around and heading back to the gate for some mechanical problem. That would have been bad enough, but the next three hours were spent with them changing our gate FIVE times. Each time they did, we all had to trudge through the now-deserted airport, from terminal to terminal, which if you’ve been to DFW is a damn long walk! It was after 1 am before we finally got on another plane and made it to Nashville. My friend Kristen went above and beyond and came to pick me up at 3 am with a heating pad on the seat because by that time my back was BROKEN.

Not a great way to start a con.

However, a con is a great way to get over a truly crappy day!  I missed most of Friday trying to catch up in the vendor room, but did catch a little karaoke. Things were festive!

Samantha Smith, Matt Cohen, Tahmoh Penikett, Lisa Berry, Adam Rose and Julian Richings all joined host DJ Qualls for a great time.

I also managed to catch the new episode of Fire Country guest starring Jared Padalecki as Camden Casey. It’s up in the air right now because Jared has another exciting new show on the horizon, but I really hope we get to see more of Camden in that spin off too.

Saturday was of course Misha Collins.

Like me, Misha loves ‘The French Mistake.’

Misha: I love it because they did such a good job satirizing us. Then my manager at the time was like oh, it’s great to see you playing yourself…

Lol

Read more →

The Supernatural Cast Returns to Sunny Orlando in 2024

The Supernatural Cast Returns to Sunny Orlando in 2024

spnfans

The last two Supernatural conventions of 2024 came one right after the other, so I decided to embark on a whirlwind trip to do one con on the East coast, fly to the west coast to have some family time, and then fly to the next – on the East coast again. So, Orlando to San Fran to Nashville! Seemed like a good idea at the time…

Orlando is one of my favorite con hotels, and it was glorious to escape the wintery chill for a long weekend. I had lovely meals outside under the palm trees, in the evenings the fire pit was cozy, and I even brought a bathing suit to swim in the pool and enjoy the hot tub.

Con/vacation combo, which is a rare thing for me as a vendor who usually has to rush back to teach. But I was on sabbatical this past semester, so I got to do things differently – and I’m very grateful!

Here’s my table, with thanks to the friends from TheSPNVerse who helped me get it set up (and the talented Cris Griffin for the new table banner)!

I caught some of the Matt Cohen and Adam Fergus panel – I’d just had such a nice zoom chat with Matt a few days before, all about his new project Public Domain. (Check out that interview here if you missed it). Matt wore his Public Domain apron and gave us an update on the series and some of the Supernatural casting announcements.

Matt and Adam share their enthusiasm about being dads. Adam told us that his twins were actually born on different days – at 11:59 pm and 12:01 am!

We got to hear a bunch of dad jokes, thanks to a fan who pulled up a whole book of them on her phone and was brave enough to give it to Matt. (Well, it wasn’t Jared, so…)

Adam and Matt never worked together on Supernatural, but they are connected via acting. Adam’s wife had a kissing scene with Matt on General Hospital, in fact. Afterwards she said to Matt, “now you know how Adam tastes!”

Read more →

Back Where It All Began – Supernatural Chicon 2024!

Back Where It All Began – Supernatural Chicon 2024!

spnfans

The very first Supernatural Creation con was in Chicago – in 2007.

Seventeen years ago.

I was there, along with my bestie Kathy and my good friends Laura and Karen. We had taken shifts for weeks, stalking the Creation website waiting to punch the button to buy tickets the second they went on sale. It’s hard to describe the level of excitement back then for the first US convention for the show I’d fallen in love with – it was off the charts! And it didn’t disappoint. The hotel bar made Purple Nurples and served Supernatural themed food. Jared and Jensen were lovely, though not yet at all sure what to make of the fandom – they sat rather stiffly on stools while we crowded in for photo ops. (Of course Jared didn’t obey the rules even then, and pulled me in for a hug).

I was in fangirl Heaven. Obviously. Also? Babies!

Photos Chris Schmelke

I had an amazing time that very first con, but if someone had told me that seventeen years later, the show would have run for 15 seasons and been off the air for four, but there was STILL a Supernatural con in Chicago in 2024…. Well, I wouldn’t have believed them. And certainly would not have thought I’d be there!

I had an amazing time again, which is, frankly – amazing. I am so very very grateful.

And that is a real testament to the Supernatural actors and fandom. The #SPNFamily. No matter how much wank breaks out every single day online, the cons remain mostly positive and full of excitement and even joy. This year is extra meaningful; the con and the few days I spent after it at my friend Laurena’s house feel like a carefree time, just days before things changed a lot here in the US. I think I’ll always be nostalgic for this con, just like I am for Vegas 2020, the last mostly carefree con before the pandemic kicked in. (Yes, I mark time by Supernatural cons sometimes, what can I say?)

I had been on the west coast with my daughter – because, Halloween! – so I flew in on Friday evening, just in time to catch some karaoke. Several of my friends got onstage to sing, and they were all fabulous! Shout out to Julie, Chelle and Rock! (And emcee DJ Qualls, Lisa Berry, Samantha Smith, Matt Cohen, Tahmoh Penikett, and DJ Liz and Kristen, who were all awesome too)

I was in the vendor room so I didn’t get to see all the panels, and gave my friend Rock priority for the panels he wanted to see (the ladies panel included). But I did catch some. Saturday I walked into the ballroom to Richard Speight, Jr. asking Rob Benedict: Do you want the candy that was in my pants?

Matt Cohen: So, best question gets this bonus package of gummy bears…

Matt talked about a movie and used an unusual phrase.

Richard: Some advice. Don’t google “screwing people’s faces” because you won’t get the movie Matt is talking about…

Rich and Rob talked a bit about their Supernatural rewatch podcast, Supernatural Then And Now.

Read more →

Supernatural Charlotte Con 2024!

Supernatural Charlotte Con 2024!

spnfans

 

Charlotte is one of my favorite Supernatural conventions, mostly because some of my best friends are there – and that’s one of the best part of cons. It’s a short flight, and the weather was gorgeous that  weekend, and that made it even better. Jared Padalecki unfortunately had to cancel, which we were all sad about, but I know how reluctant he is to have to do that so I’m sure it was an important conflict. We missed you though, Jared!

I flew down on Thursday just to hang out, and on Friday caught a little bit of the panels with some of my favorite people on the cast side of the SPN Family in between being at the book table in the vendor room. That includes, of course, Ruth Connell, who has embraced some of her inner Rowena.

Ruth: I found out that my grandmother, who was the most practical woman ever, also read tea leaves.

Also Ruth: I’ll try anything once. Except a Ouija board, that terrifies me!

I’m with her – still remember some of my childhood exploits with friends at sleepovers, all of us convinced “It moved!!”

Ruth is always inspiring, just like the chapter she wrote in Family Don’t End With Blood.

Ruth: Everyone has something creative inside them.

She feels her time on Supernatural was sort of meant to be. Her first episode was called Soul Survivor, which was a perfect reflection of her life at that time too.

She was supposed to be in the series finale too originally.

Ruth: I was supposed to be in Hell, finding out the news about Dean in the finale.

Like pretty much every single one of the cast, Ruth also had some encouraging words on a Season 16.

Ruth: I’m ready to wager that Supernatural will be back!

Me: (crosses all fingers and toes)

I also love that she was wearing a comfy plaid Supernatural shirt with SW-DW embroidered on it. In fact, I loved her entire outfit (as I often do – she has a wonderful sense of style).

Read more →