Chiodo-Con Returns
Mahoning Drive-In Theater - Lehighton, PA
This weekend marks the return of Chiodo-Con to the Mahoning Drive-In Theater.
Mahoning Drive-In Theater - Lehighton, PA
This weekend marks the return of Chiodo-Con to the Mahoning Drive-In Theater.
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| Show banner designed by Andrew Kern |
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| Show t-shirt designed by Andrew Kern |
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| Show poster designed by Hayden Hall |
Chiodo-Con was last held at the Mahoning in September 2023. On that weekend, Killer Klowns From Outer Space screened as the second feature on both nights along with a different movie to kick off each night: Ernest Scared Stupid on Friday September 22nd and Critters on Saturday September 23rd. They've stepped up their game this year with a Critters triple feature on Friday and the trifecta of Killer Klowns, Ernest, and a secret feature last night.
Just as in 2023, The Chiodo Brothers were in attendance to meet fans, take pictures, and sign autographs. I missed out on meeting them back in 2023 and I've regretted it ever since, so I was very happy for this second opportunity.
That's Edward Chiodo (left), Charles Chiodo (center left), and Stephen Chiodo (right) in the snack bar. They're men of many talents who specialize in creating special effects, stop-motion animation, and animatronics. They worked together to create Killer Klowns From Outer Space, which was directed by Stephen, written by Stephen and Charles, and was produced by all three of them, who also worked together to create the characters and special effects, including the Klowns themselves. They also created special effects for many other films and shows, including the other movies playing at the Mahoning this weekend. They're incredibly nice folks and I'm glad to have met them.
I would have liked to ask them to sign my VHS copy of Killer Klowns From Outer Space that Dad gave to me as a Christmas present when I was a teenager, but I wasn't able to find it in time for the show. Instead, I asked them to sign my vinyl copy of its soundtrack. In retrospect, I wish I had asked them to sign the front of the album, but I didn't think there was enough clear space, so I asked them to sign the foldout of the cotton candy cocoons. It turns out they had some pretty groovy neon pens that show up vividly regardless of the background. It's still very awesome, and if I ever get the opportunity to meet anyone from the cast, there's plenty of room for them to sign it too.
The Cotton Candy Cocoon Cheeseburger was back at the snack bar. I had it the first time I saw Killer Klowns at the Mahoning back in 2021 (which was my second time ever visiting the drive-in) and again during Chiodo-Con 2023, so I couldn't resist trying it one more time.
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| Jackson (left) - Donovan (center) - Brittany (right) |
The first night of Chido-Con 2025 was dedicated to the Critters movie franchise. The first three movies were scheduled for the weekend and the fourth was played as a secret feature. I enjoy all four movies, but the first one is my favorite.
The second night of Chiodo-Con 2025 began with Killer Klowns From Outer Space. This is my third time seeing it at the Mahoning. I can't even begin to imagine how many times I've watched this movie over the years.
Saturday's second movie was Ernest Scared Stupid. I saw this at the Mahoning in 2021 during the Ernest Lives double feature. It's a fun Halloween kids movie that's elevated by Jim Varney's brilliant comedy.
The secret third film was the 2004 comedy Team America: World Police. It was written by South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone. Their work is kind of hit and miss with me. I'm a fan, particularly of the earlier seasons of South Park, but their style of comedy sometimes grates on my nerves. I don't find it offensive or anything. Sometimes, they just hit on something that's really not funny at all, and then they keep doing it over and over again, like an irritating child who repeats the same goofy noise until someone tells them to shut up. Team America is alright. I'm not really a big fan of marionettes or puppets or whatever the characters in this film are supposed to be. It has a few funny moments and I'm glad that I got to see it on the big screen, but it's not something that I'm ever going to want to go back to see a second time.
