Flashback Weekend One Week Away!

Chicago IL

23 July, 2021

6:02 AM

Description

One week from today, I will be ensconced in horror convention greatness at Flashback Weekend. It is the 20th annual weekend of fun for Flashback Weekend, Chicago's largest and longest-running horror convention. This year, it is moving to the beautiful Hyatt Regency O'Hare Chicago at 9300 West Bryn Mawr Avenue in Rosemont. The celebrity guest lineup is packed with horror greats. Celebrities scheduled to appear include Tobin Bell (Saw), Shawnee Smith (Saw), Nick Castle (Halloween), Kane Hodder (Friday the 13: Part VIII), James Jude Courtney (Halloween), Mark Rolston (Aliens), Jenette Goldstein (Aliens), Zach Galligan (Gremlins), Peter Cowper (My Bloody Valentine), Sandy Johnson (Halloween) and Carla Harvey (Butcher Babies). There's a Friday the 13th Part V: New Beginning reunion with Melanie Kinnaman, Deborah Vorhees, Carol Locatell, Ron Sloan and Dick Wiand. There's also a Killer Klowns From Outer Space reunion with Grant Cramer, Harold Blake, Suzanne Snyder and Mike Martinez. Charlie Benante of Anthrax brings a music presence. Along with that legendary lineup is horror host extraordinaire Svengoolie. Sven will be signing autographs and posing for pictures, but he will also host the Sinister Visions Costume Contest on Saturday afternoon. This is the first scheduled appearance for Sven who has been a Chicago institution for 40+ years. Sven is such a treasure, people will come to Flashback Weekend just for him. I don't know if I have ever seen a celebrity do as many appearances as Sven, yet still remain incredibly popular, especially after all of these years. It doesn't hurt that Sven's alter ego Rich Koz is one of the nicest people in entertainment or anywhere else. The man is a class act and truly one of Chicago's Greatest of All Time (GOATs) in or out of character. I have met Sven and even interviewed him a few times and I will never pass a chance to reconnect with him. Having him as a staple at Flashback Weekend speaks volumes for the convention itself. There are many vendors promoting and selling cool stuff. Authors, artists and creators of all kinds display their creations. Other events scheduled for the weekend include screenings, panels, Q&A's, Saturday's afterparty and much more. It really is a weekend of fun. I don't work for the convention, but I happily attend and cover it because it is a great event, run by wonderful people (Mike and Mia Kerz). I'll be attending with my pal Chuck Gekas, but I also have confirmation that my friends Tony Feddeler, Charles Alexander and Ryanne Shannon will also be there. I am sure I will see many other friends, too. Check back here for any updates and my recap after the weekend. I can't wait.