THE SCAREFEST Rocks Lexington!

HELLO, FRIENDS…


ABOVE: Steve Nappe (JASON X), Priscilla Barnes (DEVIL’S REJECTS, THREE’S COMPANY), Kane “Jason” Hodder (FRIDAY THE 13TH, HATCHET), and Jim O’Rear (DAY OF THE DEAD, THE DEEPENING).

The ScareFest is over and a great time was had by all! It was a three day weekend event in Lexington, KY, filled with horror celebrities, paranormal events, seminars, music, parties, and more that attendees will not soon forget!


ABOVE: Attendees pack the showroom floor in search of autographs and collectible items.

I arrived in Lexington on Thursday night, fresh from the Indiana set of Jim Wynorski’s new comedy (see future blog for details) to be greeted in the lobby of the Hyatt by Gunnar “Leatherface” Hansen (TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE), Kane “Jason” Hodder (FRIDAY THE 13TH, HATCHET), and Steve Nappe (JASON X). Sitting down at the bar for a few drinks and a gander at the Tennessee Titans football game that was playing on the widescreen mounted to the wall, the four of us were quickly joined by Doug “Pinhead” Bradley (HELLRAISER) for some fun conversation. After some great fellowship it was time to retire upstairs for some much needed rest and prep for the upcoming 3-day event.


ABOVE: Doug “Pinhead” Bradley and Jim O’Rear.

Arriving on the showroom floor, Friday, I was greatly impressed by the organization and layout of the show. Vendors were ready, celebs were taking their places at their tables, and a line of attendees was forming outside the main entrance.


ABOVE: Robert Kurtzman, formerly the “K” in KNB Effects group (FROM DUSK TIL DAWN, DEVIL’S REJECTS, WISHMASTER), stands at his incredible Creature Corp booth.

I situated myself at my table and found I was in good company, sitting beside and across from such celebs as Priscilla Barnes (DEVIL’S REJECTS, THREE’S COMPANY), Walter Phelan (HOUSE OF 1000 CORPSES, FROM DUSK TIL DAWN), Gunnar “Leatherface” Hansen (TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE), Ken Foree (DAWN OF THE DEAD, HALLOWEEN), Dee Wallace (E.T., THE HOWLING, CUJO), Leslie Easterbrook (DEVIL’S REJECTS, POLICE ACADEMY, LAVERNE & SHIRLEY), Chris Carnell (MY BLOODY VALENTINE 3-D, SPIDERMAN), Danielle Harris (HALLOWEEN, THE LAST BOYSCOUT), Caroline Williams (TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 2, HALLOWEEN 2, DAYS OF THUNDER), and many more.


ABOVE: Barry Blaisdell (GEMINI), Chris Carnell (MY BLOODY VALENTINE 3D), Jim O’Rear (SCREAM FARM), and Danielle Harris (HALLOWEEN).

As the doors opened there was a flurry of activity… a lot of people for a Friday (typically a slow day as people trickle in for the weekend). Costumed characters, horror fans, and paranormal investigators filled the floor. David Fultz, the announcer for the weekend, effectively kept things going on the loudspeaker so that people were informed of all the events as they happened.


ABOVE: An axe-wielding fan puts on her creepy eyes for the camera.

The day was filled with seminars, films, and networking opportunities. As the day wound down it was time for the evening costume contest. There were a lot of creative entries. Unfortunately, I was starving and couldn’t stay to see it all.


ABOVE: A zombie bride wanders the floor just before the costume contest.


ABOVE: This axeman is ready to chop up the costume contest competition!

After a late night dinner I made my way, with Tucky Williams (DEAD MOON RISING) and Nic “B Movie Man” Brown, down the road to a party/cookout where THE LEGACY was being screened (a film I did a cameo in with Daniel Emery Taylor and his wife Ami). It was a nice way to wind down the evening.


ABOVE: Jim O’Rear (COP & ½), James Hampton (TEEN WOLF, SLING BLADE) and his wife, and Steve Nappe (JASON X).

Saturday opened with a bang. There were so many fans and activities that the whole day is a blur! I seem to remember some interesting panels and fan events, in between signing autographs and speaking to people. I also enjoyed running into other old friends such as Jason Crowe (DEAD MOON RISING), Kayla Perkins (THE DEVIL’S PLAYGROUND), George Bonilla and the ZP International crew (HELL-EPHONE), TJ Moreschi and Roni Jonah (THE LEGACY), ultra-cool zombie artist Billy Tackett and his lovely wife Heather, Jerry Williams (GOATBOY), and many more (if I left you off the list I apologize… it was a CRAZY day!).


ABOVE: Ken Foree (DAWN OF THE DEAD), Jim O’Rear (THE DEAD MATTER), and Caroline Williams (TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 2).


ABOVE: Walter "Dr. Satan" Phelan (HOUSE OF 1000 CORPSES) and Jim O’Rear (HELL HOUSE).

It was an exhausting but awesome Saturday. As the daytime events closed, Gunnar Hansen and I ran down the road to a pizza joint for a quick bite to eat before the evening VIP party. There was still a full night of activity ahead!!


ABOVE: Jim O’Rear, the lovely Sarah, and Warrington “Jason” Gillette (FRIDAY THE 13TH PART 2).

The VIP party was packed and the DJ was pumping out classic tunes as various guests and attendees danced along. The DJ even managed to work in The Time Warp from THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW. Fun stuff!


ABOVE: Mike “Hari Krishna Zombie” Christopher (DAWN OF THE DEAD), Priscilla Barnes (THREE’S COMPANY), and Jim O’Rear (DEVIL’S PLAYGROUND) enjoy the VIP Party together.


ABOVE: Gunnar “Leatherface” Hansen pauses during the VIP Party for a photo op with paranormal investigator and ScareFest organizer Patti Starr.


ABOVE: Here’s a dancing pair you don’t see everyday!

As the VIP Party wound down it was time to find more fun. I got a phone call from from Billy and Heather Tackett telling me that the party was moving across the street to a piano bar called The Penguin. Todd Burrows, from ZP International, came to show me the way. The Penguin was packed! Three bachelorette parties were already underway and the crowd was wild!


ABOVE: George Bonilla (ZP INTERNATIONAL) parties it up at The Penguin.

As a side note… While in Lexington, I had the opportunity to explore a bit of the city with Barry Blaisdell (HOLLYWOOD GHOST HUNTERS). Great architecture! I’m a sucker for cool buildings. Among many things of interest, I found out that there is a college there called Transylvania University! Why didn’t I know this??? Look, here’s proof:



It’s a beautiful campus…. And I got the T-Shirt to prove it! Another thing I found entertaining during our exploration of the city was the manhole covers. Notice the oxymoron displayed:



Ha, ha, ha… “Sanitary Sewer!” Isn’t that great? Also, we came across this awesome castle that looks like it could have been part of a Harry Potter Movie. Check it out:



But, I digress…. Back to The ScareFest!


ABOVE: Jim O’Rear (CHAINSAW CHEERLEADERS) and Leslie Easterbrook (DEVIL’S REJECTS, LAVERNE & SHIRLEY).

Sunday, another typically slow day, saw more people file through the doors, again. Another busy day, right up to the end! What a show! People packed up and said their goodbyes in hopes of seeing each other again very soon.


ABOVE: Carmen Reed (the real person that THE HAUNTING IN CONNECTICUT is based on) and Jim O’Rear (MORTAL KOMBAT).

The ScareFest was a great show and I’m so glad I had the opportunity to take part. I look forward to seeing the show again next year!

Thanks for reading!
Jim
www.JimORear.com