‘Comic con for horror’ convention coming to Falls
RAY SPITERI
Niagara Falls’ first-ever horror convention is set to premiere next month, as Frightmare in the Falls takes over Scotiabank Convention Centre Nov. 11 and 12.
The new event (11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 11 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 12) will be a mashup of everything horror-related, including celebrity guests, horror-themed vendors, artists and haunted attractions.
Celebrity guests include slasher icons Kane Hodder (Jason Voorhees in Friday the 13th movies VII to X), Bill Johnson (Leatherface in Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2), Child’s Play stars Alex Vincent and Christine Elise, Daeg Faerch (Rob Zombie’s Halloween), Dan Yeager (Texas Chainsaw 3D), Malcolm Danare (Christine), former WWE star Papa Shango, and a featured piece of Canadiana television with Mitch Markowitz (Hilarious House of Frightenstein).
Attractions for the event will include a haunted screampark presented by Haunt Manor, a replica of the 1958 Plymouth Fury from the John Carpenter classic Christine, and a prop exhibit from Paul Jones Effects Studio featuring props from Resident Evil, Silent Hill, Orphan Black,and many more of the feature film and television productions Jones’ work has been featured on.
Screen-used and prop replicas from both Creepshow and Creepshow 2 will also be on display as Joe Hart’s Creepshow Expo celebrates 35 years of the late George A. Romero’s classic anthology film.
The event will also feature a cabinet of curiosities with a real life mummified human and many other macabre Victorian-era curiosities.
Organizer Chris Dabrowski said the event will almost be like a standalone Falls Horror Fest, which is a popular part of the annual Niagara Falls Comic Con.
“A lot of our customers that come into Niagara Falls Comic Con are horror fans, and we thought the horror section warranted its own show, so we thought it would be great to brand a whole new consumer show,” he said. “It’s a celebration of all things horror. It’s comic con for horror is one way to put it.”
Dabrowski said horror is a big market, and the demand is there for such an event.
“We’re hoping to make this an annual event. With the buzz that we’ve created through Facebook and online, it seems like there’s definitely an interest for it. People are buying tickets from as far away as Boston, Florida, and right across across Canada and North America. I think locals might learn about it and walk up to it, but people are actually planning trips to Niagara Falls (to attend the show).”
Tickets start at $19.95 and are on sale at frightmareinthefalls.com.