The sixth local fan convention devoted to the locally filmed series “One Tree Hill” drew nearly 1,000 superfans to Wilmington this weekend.
By Hunter Ingram StarNews Staff
WILMINGTON — The Port City reprised one of its greatest roles this weekend as nearly a thousand “One Tree Hill” fans arrived for the seventh convention devoted to the locally filmed series.
Based out of the Wilmington Convention Center, the EyeCon-organized event, the sixth of its kind locally, saw series stars like Chad Michael Murray, James Lafferty, Robert Buckley and Austin Nichols return to take pictures with fans and participate in Q&A sessions. As much as its a homecoming for the cast, who could be seen catching up between sessions behind the scenes, the weekend’s convention was an unparalleled experience for the fans who traveled from other states and countries to visit Tree Hill. One even left her hospital bed to be in attendance.
Rachel Lovelace split a bone in her right foot in half Tuesday when she fell down steps and underwent surgery to insert a metal plate and seven screws Wednesday. But none of that stopped her from making the six-hour trek from Virginia on Thursday for her fifth convention.
“I love being here, even if I have to be highly medicated,” she said, propped up in her cushioned wheelchair.
For Lovelace, the show is something that she has never been able to shake.
“I have been always able to relate to it,” she said. “It aired at the same time as my high school experience and I watched along with it.”
Although “One Tree Hill” has been off the air for more than five years, it still manages to parallel the adolescent experiences of teens just now discovering the series.
Ainsley Keyser celebrated her Sweet 16 birthday on Sunday by celebrating the show she said has already taught her a few valuable lessons.
“I play softball and the show’s basketball team taught me that you have to overcome your differences and work together,” she said.
Early Sunday morning, with a Sweet 16 sash drapped over her shoulder, she stood in line for pictures with Murray and Lafferty, who both hugged her and wished her a happy birthday.
“This was a great way to spend my birthday,” she said after the photo.
This weekend’s convention saw its presence extend farther than ever before. Moving down Front Street, businesses set out signs promoting weekend specials for fans. The Exit Games designed a special escape room experience based on the “Psycho Derek” storyline from the show that was booked solid with fans all weekend, while Java Dog Cafe slipped into the role of the show’s popular hangout, Karen’s Cafe, with a banner and special coffee sleeves.
The fun wasn’t just for the out-of-towners. Ivette Sepulveda is such a “One Tree Hill” superfan that she moved to Wilmington last fall after passing through to check out the home of her favorite show.
Like many of the fans who shelled out hundreds of dollars to get a picture with or autograph from one of the attending celebrities, Sepulveda has a personal connection with the series that makes weekend’s like this unforgettable.
“‘One Tree Hill’ means everything,” she said. “I started watching it when I was younger and I was kind of in a rough spot. I didn’t get along with my mom, I was abused and watching it brightened me up and gave me hope. It saved me.”
The seventh EyeCon “One Tree Hill” convention is already scheduled for October.
Reporter Hunter Ingram can be reached at 910-343-2327 or [email protected].
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