EDISON — Women crashed the party at the Exxxotica adult expo in Edison last night. And organizers couldn't be more pleased.

As anticipated, there was a significant rise in attendance on its opening night with more women and couples showing up than in previous years, helped in part by "Ladies Free Friday," when the $39.99 one-day fee was waived for women.

EXXXOTICA

Where: New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center, 97 Sunfield Ave., Edison

When: Saturday, 1 to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 7 p.m.

How much: $39.99, VIP upgrades available; Visit nj.exxxoticaexpo.com or call (732) 417-1400.

The "Ladies Free Friday" promotion has been used for the past three years and has helped to build the show's appeal, according to Daniel Adams, the event's spokesman. Several thousand spectators visited the New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center in Edison last night, he says, and the boost in female attendance is expected throughout the weekend.

It was a night of firsts for those whose curiosity led them to the Edison site more familiarly known as Raritan Center.

Jennifer Pineda, 21, Yosseling Perez, 21, and Lissette Leon, 20, all of North Jersey, took a cue from the promoters and made the evening a girls only outing.

"We wanted to see what it was like," says Pineda, who learned about Exxxotica from advertisements.

The "Ladies Free Friday" promotion has been used for the past three years and has helped to build the show to where it is not just men attending, Adams says.

Exxxotica, billed as the "largest event in the U.S. dedicated to love and sex," is an annual trade show with stops in Atlantic City, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale and Miami. It features some of the biggest names in the adult industry. Kayden Kross, Stoya, Alexis Texas, Tori Black, Allie Haze, Tanya Tate, Jessica Drake and Ryan Driller were among the stars on hand last night to greet fans and sign autographs.

Driller took part in his first expo three years ago in Edison and says he finds visitors approach it differently in the township than in cities such as Miami.

"The people that come here are a lot more friendly and into the show. The crowd comes a little more eager and enthusiastic here," Driller says. "The town's fun. The people around here are fun. You always have a special place in your heart for the first, right?"

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Last year, more than 20,000 people attended the three-day event in Edison, where it has been held since 2008 after it was blocked from taking place at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus.

While there is no nudity or sex in the show, there are plenty of pole and go-go dancers whose moves earn them anywhere from $200 to $800 in tips per night.

This year's trade show includes more vendors than in previous years.

Carl Thomas, an ordained minister with the XXXChurch, a California-based Christian nonprofit that aims to help those with porn addiction, says the group attends every Exxxotica show. Last night, they handed out T-shirts with the message: "Jesus loves porn stars."

"We don't watch porn. We don't recommend you watch porn, but we want people to know no matter what your taste is, God still loves you," says Thomas, a Deptford resident. "This is a great opportunity to reach a demographic the church isn't trying to reach."

Thelma Santana, of Paterson, and her boyfriend, James McTague, of Jersey City, say what they appreciate most about Exxxotica is being around like-minded individuals.

"For me, it's a stress relief. You could be yourself. You could feel free to be yourself for one day or two days and then just go back to your world," says Santana, a newcomer to Exxxotica.

According to Adams, the expo utilized more billboards this year than ever before, including in Times Square.

Mario Minervini, of Red Bank, says he purchased VIP tickets (which include access to after parties), after he saw an advertisement on the New Jersey Turnpike.

"The show looks great. It's my first time. I like it a lot," says Minervini, who attended the event with his wife.

The couple are already planning ahead.

"I'll be back again next year," Minervini says.

Janelle Griffith may be reached at jgriffith@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @janellefiona. Find NJ.com/Entertainment on Facebook.