It was day two at the Exxxotica adult expo — the largest adult event in the country. Watch video
EDISON --Rebekah Harrison, of Hillsborough, was at the Exxxotica adult expo on Saturday and said she believed being a fan of adult entertainment and caring about women's rights were not mutually exclusive.
Held at the New Jersey Exposition and Convention Center, the event, which continues Sunday, featured some of the biggest names in the adult industry. Harrison was with a few of her friends, scoping the more than 100 exhibitors on the conference floor displaying a multitude of products.
"We wanted to see some of our favorite stars in person," Harrison said.
Hundreds of people from all walks of life, many of whom were women, flocked to the expo, dubbed the largest adult event in the country.
Despite some notions, she said she believes a woman like herself can both be a fan of adult entertainment and also care about women's rights. She noted she was excited to vote for Hillary Clinton on Tuesday, potentially electing the country's first female president.
Throughout the day, porn stars signed autographs, took photos with fans all the while music blasted with women in lingerie dancing and performing throughout the venue. The show also featured a dungeon experience, involving women hanging from chains.
The adult industry is one of the few largely controlled by women, from executives to performers.
Though Harrison saw this as a positive, she also said it was "sad and pathetic" more industries didn't offer similar empowerment to women in the workplace.
Katie Morgan, one of the biggest names in the adult industry of 15 years, was at a table signing autographs and taking photos with adoring fans lined up to see her. She said people "would be surprised by how many porn stars are empowered strong females who have taken control of their lives and their bodies."
The show in Edison has become Exxxotica's biggest draw despite its travels to other major cities like Los Angeles and Chicago. Organizers say they believed this year's event was bigger than last year's and that it has continued to grow year-after-year. The evenr is expected to draw more than 20,000 people and has generated about $3 million into the local economy in past shows, according to event organizers.
The intensity of this year's presidential race between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump even found its way into the expo as an event that is to feature a mock debate between two people dressed as the candidates fielding ridiculous questions.
With friends and couples continuing to shuffle through the entrance, J. Handy, the director of Exxxotica, said though the event centers around adult entertainment, it is run like any other run-of-the-mill trade show, which he believes adds to its draw, and dispels notions that it is filled with savage chaos. He runs the show, in its 30th year and ninth at the Expo Center, with his wife and stepfather.
The three-day event, which began on Friday with "Ladies Night" and will finish on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., is expected to draw more than 20,000 people.
Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the Find NJ.com on Facebook.