An Amazing Time at TARCon, The Amazing Race 4 Finale Party

On August 21, I had the awesome opportunity to attend TARCon, a finale party for The Amazing Race. This isn’t the official CBS finale party - it’s a party that’s been organized by posters on Television Without Pity’s The Amazing Race forum since the first season as a chance for posters and fans of the show to watch the final episode together and meet racers from current and past seasons who show up after the CBS party wraps. It’s become quite an event and people fly in from all over the country to attend! My whole goal for this was to meet three teams: Nancy & Emily from Season One, John Vito & Jill from Season Three, and Jon & Kelly from the current season.

Being from Philadelphia, you would think I would have been to New York City before, but that’s not the case. I had never been there and this was definitely a little culture shock. I couldn’t believe how big it was! I decided that before meeting up with RNO Assistant Editor Brian James, with whom I would be attending TARCon, I would do a little sightseeing. I managed to get lost looking for Times Square, but a little old lady named Estelle not only told me where it was, but walked with me there because it was right around where her chiropractor was! After exploring Times Square for a bit, it was time to get to Brian’s place and get ready to go.

After getting all jazzed up, we headed out to a pre-party at a bar in Chelsea called xl. It was very nice, actually. It was a chance to get to meet some people that would also be at TARCon, including two very nice girls that I ended up hanging out with for a good part of the night, Sarah and Rickie. Once I found out Rickie was a big Kelly & Jon fan, I had to cling to her. We fans have to stick together! After a few drinks at the pre-party, it was time to head to the actual venue for TARCon - the Q Lounge, just a couple blocks away.

We all got there a little after 7 p.m. and watched the episode before the finale just to refresh our minds on what happened last week. By 8 p.m., everyone was so excited when the finale began. I have to say it was an awesome experience to watch the finale in such an environment that you can boo and scream and cheer for the teams you love and hate. The episode was nothing short of amazing and you can read my recap of it right here.

About a half hour after the finale ended, some of the racers arrived. The first ones I actually saw were Frank & Margarita from Season One. Being that they are from NYC, I’m assuming they always go to these things. Frank is a pretty big guy in person and Margarita looked amazing! I saw Zach, the winner from last season, arrive next along with John Vito & Jill! They were basically bombarded at the door and I had to wait a few minutes before I would get a chance to say hello. However, I finally got the courage to push a few people and work my way over. The nice part was, I didn’t even fully introduce myself before John Vito read my nametag and knew who I was! It was so nice to be recognized. Let me just state that these two are awesome. I had a nice little chat with them about my day in the city and I told them about the nice lady I met and how I managed to get lost on the subway. After a few minutes, though, the crowd started closing in and I had to let them go. Jill is so cute I wanted to squeeze her, and John Vito needs to be my personal trainer because I don’t know what I’m doing wrong since my guns are nowhere as big as his and I play hockey!

After my little talk with John Vito & Jill, I made my way back over to Rickie and Sarah and told them how starstruck I was. As we watched the door, the first to arrive from this season were Steve & Dave, the air traffic controllers. Steve was being surrounded but I did get a chance to talk to Dave and his wife. Great people - and Dave’s wife looked like she was having a blast! Dave admitted that they knew they were toast when the race began but they still had an awesome time. Right after we wrapped up our conversation, I came across Ken & Gerard from last season. We made a little small talk and chatted for a few minutes. These two guys were very popular - everyone and their mother were trying to get to them! I had to let them go but not before I showered them with praise. In passing, I got to say a few words to Danny, from Oswald & Danny from Season Two, but nothing big. Another very nice guy to talk to, though. It was so cool how you could just walk up and talk to these people; they were all so excited to meet the fans.

Then IT happened! Jon & Kelly had entered the building! Now, I’m not the kind of person to go pushing and shoving in a bar for a drink or to get to a friend. I’m more the laid back kind that just waits for the bartender to notice me or to just wave to someone I know. Not in this case! As soon as they passed the door, I immediately began pushing my way over. When I finally got up to them, I practically jumped on top of Kelly and introduced myself. I didn’t really get to finish, though, because she knew who I was! The best part was that she took Jon from the conversation he was having with someone else to make him guess who I was! I was only looking for a hug from Kelly, but I got a kiss as well! I almost had a heart attack on the spot! We did some talking for a good 10 or 15 minutes and took some pictures. These two were so funny. My favorite Jon moment was when he told someone else, “Hold on one second, we’re taking a picture with Phil because he’s the only one that likes us!” I felt so special! These two may not have won the race, but they are number one in my book (John Vito & Jill, you two are right up there as well)!