I, along with the rest of the SPN Family, have been enduring the past several months of the Supernatural “hellatus” with growing anticipation. There is so much to look forward to this season. First and foremost, getting to see Jensen Ackles’ show off his acting chops playing a new character, Michael. I can’t wait to see how this season plays out and what other surprises the writers have in store for us.
To celebrate the premiere of season 14, I wanted to do more than just sit at home in my pajamas with a glass of wine in front of the TV. I wanted to do something different; something big.
I could think of nothing bigger than attending a watch party with over 200 fans in Lawrence, Kansas. The Kansas SPN Family and the Women of Letters Kansas City chapter have hosted a watch party for the premiere of Supernatural for the last few years, but this was the first year that I was able to attend.
I was glad I had gotten my VIP ticket the week before the event because it was a sell out. My husband and I arrived a little early and it is a good thing we did because the line had already started forming even though the doors weren’t due to open for 45 minutes.
I was happy to see other people dressed up in cosplay since I had decided to cosplay Abaddon. There was a lot of boots and flannel and even a couple of SPN-themed Ghostbusters.
The setting for the event was the Arterra Event Gallery and the beneficiary was Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City. The venue was stunning. The vaulted ceiling and cathedral style windows immediately reminded me of the barn that Castiel blew into in season 4, albeit a lot more upscale version.
With a 110 inch large screen TV hanging right below the cathedral windows for our viewing pleasure, theater style sound system, fully stocked cash bar, and the finest BBQ provided by Greg-Co Food Truck, I understood how the event was a sell out.
There were several vendors selling all our favorite SPN-themed merch. Mega Coven Art, Ellie Bean Dreams, Inklings Books and Coffee Shoppe, and Elevate Happy Coffee all added to the con-like atmosphere. Andrea Wernz-Hurtt of Supernatural-Atomic Bombshells drove from Omaha, Nebraska with her emotional support pillows which are always a hot item at all the Supernatural cons.
There were tables running the length of one wall, loaded with all kinds of items being raffled off, from Supernatural-themed shot-glasses, wine baskets, t-shirts and hand-made dragon eggs; there was something for everyone.
The silent auction table was a popular place with autographed photos of Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles and Misha Collins taking center stage along with many other items very lovingly donated for this very worthy cause.
The jewel in the crown of this event, next to the premier episode of course, was provided by Supernatural Angel Inc. They brought “Hilly” the Impala from Oklahoma so attendees could take photos with this very special car. Yes, this is the car from the latest Hillywood Supernatural-Ghostbusters parody and fans were able to get up close and personal with her. They even auctioned off a ride around Lawrence in her for the three highest bidders.
Every last detail had been lovingly thought out. There was even an official event photographer. Emily Baker of Photography by Emily Baker, wandered through the crowd taking candid shots of attendees.
Everyone took their seats as the time for the premiere drew close. I had never experienced anything like it, watching the season premiere of my favorite show with 200 other people who loved the show as much as I did. My husband, who watches the show but is by no means as big a fan as I am, thoroughly enjoyed himself and if the reactions from the audience were any indication, so did everyone else.
The hour seemed to fly by and before we knew it, the episode was over. That wasn’t the end of the fun however. The time had come to draw the winning raffle tickets and reveal the winners of the silent auction. There were many smiling faces by the time all the numbers were called and the prizes claimed.
The evening ended on this high note. Everyone left knowing they had taken part in something bigger than themselves. We got the premiere we had been anticipating for months along with great food, family, fellowship and in the end a little over $4800 raised for charity. The SPN Family definitely came through with a win that night.
Brianna Johnson, Head Coordinator for the Kansas SPN Family, and Brenda Mason, Administrator for the Women of Letters Kansas City Chapter along with some very dedicated volunteers deserve a huge shout out for all their hard work. This event could not have happened without all their love and labor.
All in all, I couldn’t think of a better way to kick off the new season of Supernatural.