Lexington ScareFest brings together horror’s heavy hitters, biggest fans

ScareFest is now old enough to drive and is showing no signs of taking its foot off the gas.

In its 16th year, the horror and paranormal convention went from an abnormal gathering of devoted fans to a go-to destination for new and returning visitors (commonly referred to as the “ScareFest Family”) from multiple countries and continents.

This year’s Scarefest Weekend may have different themes, activities and celebrity guests/reunions, but the barrage of activities for all ages and ranges of horror/paranormal fandom continues to be standard issue, according to Nicole Griffith, who co-owns ScareFest alongside her husband, Brandon.

“We make sure we have 20 things going on at once so everyone in your family can find something they love,” she said.

Scream cast reunion

When it premiered in 1996, the meta-before-being-meta-was-a-thing slasher flick “Scream” found director Wes Craven celebrating and subverting horror conventions simultaneously. Now, many of the most beloved actors from that film franchise will be gathering in Lexington for one of many ScareFest reunions.

“I was a fan of the original, and in my opinion, it was groundbreaking. It was original,” Griffin said. “Nothing like that had ever been seen on the screen.”

Actors set to appear include Matthew Lillard (Stuart), Skeet Ulrich (Billy), Rose McGowan (Tatum), Jamie Kennedy (Randy), Lee Waddell (Ghostface), Marley Shelton (Sheriff Judy Hicks), Roger L. Jackson (Phone Voice) and Jeff Brockton (Ghostface).

A Killer Gathering

ScareFest is known to bring in actors who have played iconic horror characters from popular film franchises, whether it’s Jason Voorhees (“Friday the 13th”), Michael Myers (“Halloween”) or Leatherface (“The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.”)

This year, ScareFest is being what might be the largest gathering of actors who have played those popular killers to Lexington. That means fans will get the chance to meet five Michael Myerses (Nick Castle, Dick Warlock, Tom Morga, James Jude Courtney, Tyler Mane), six Jason Vorheeses (Ari Lehman, Warrington Gillette, Tom Morga, C.J. Graham, Kane Hodder, Derek Mears) and six Leatherfaces (Bob Elmore, Mark Burnham, R.A. Milhailoff, Bill Johnson, Tom Morga, Brett Wagner.)

R.A. Mihailoff, who dawned the mask for “Leatherface: Texas Chainsaw Massacre III” in 1990, is looking forward to reuniting with franchise actors he’s met at conventions in the past and meeting new ones for the first time.

“We who have been fortunate enough to play those iconic horror characters are some of the luckiest people in the world,” Mihailoff said. ”We’re like a very fortunate fraternity. Not everybody can do it and not everybody had the opportunity to do it.”

Classic Reunions

ScareFest always makes it a point to bring cast members back together from classic horror films for rare reunions. This year’s reunion highlights covers beloved films from several decades.

Notable stars from 1979’s “Phantasm” and 1985’s “Fright Night” will be in attendance. Mini-reunions of cast members from two Stephen King-based films from the ’80s, “Children of the Corn” and “Pet Semetary,” will also be a treat for fans. The trio that comprised the seminal “found-footage” film “The Blair Witch Project” (1999) will also be in Lexington.

Also, when Matthew Lillard isn’t hanging out with his fellow “Scream” cast members, he will be doing photo-ops with “Thirteen Ghosts” (2001) co-star Shannon Elizabeth of “American Pie” fame.

Meet Clive Barker

One of the most influential and impactful writers and directors in the world of horror is Clive Barker, who is responsible for classics ranging from the “Hellraiser” franchise to “Nightbreed” and “Candyman.”

In addition to reuniting with various actors from the Clive Barker universe, such as Barbie Wilde, Simon Bamford and Nicholas Vince, Griffin said Barker’s appearance is a rare treat for fans and a chance to purchase one of Barker’s original paintings.

“He didn’t say ScareFest is his last show, but there aren’t any more horror shows this year,” she said.

Titanic’s Billy Zane

There are few people whose careers have been defined by their villainous turns on screen more than actor Billy Zane. While he may be most known for his role as Cal Hockley in the blockbuster “Titanic,” his acting resume has found him dipping into horrific waters for films like 1989’s “Dead Calm” and taking brief superheroic turns as the title character in 1996’s “The Phantom.” Zane’s distinct presence and aura will grace the Central Bank Center for Scarefest this weekend.

Final Destination villain

While many horror films had everything from serial killers to cursed dolls to supernatural beings arranging dates with death, the 2000 film “Final Destination” made death itself the horror villain racking up an inevitable body count. One of the stars of that film, Devon Sawa (Alex Browning), will provide a special treat for fans of the popular film when he meets guests at Scarefest on Saturday and Sunday.

Deadly Rides

While ScareFest attendees are excited to meet their favorite horror movie actors in the flesh, Griffin said some of this year’s fun attractions people are looking forward to are made of heavy metal.

This year’s convention will feature photo ops for the instantly recognizable vehicles from the 1983 John Carpenter classic “Christine” and the raggedy, frightening truck from the 2001 horror film “Jeepers Creepers.”

Filling Giant Shoes

When rock-star-turned-visionary-director Rob Zombie was tasked with bringing the ghoulishly lovable sitcom characters of “The Munsters” to the big screen, many saw it as a match made in horror heaven. When it came time to cast the film, it was Jeff Daniel Phillips who ended up slipping into the extra large shoes and green makeup of family patriarch Herman Munster and lent his distinct touch to the character.

Phillips, who fans may also recognize out of makeup from series like “Westworld” and “The Gifted,” among other on-screen endeavors, will be ready to discuss the surreal experience with fans.

The Best Kind of Extras

ScareFest continues to offer a variety of activities for children and adults like its film festival, tattoo expo, Q&A panels, eclectic vendors and a kids day on Sunday. This year, there will also be unique chances to get one-on-one memorable experiences with ScareFest celebrities.

There will be live recordings of horror-themed podcasts “Casualty Friday” with Felissa Rose, Tiffany Shepis and Kane Hodder along and “Talk Scary To Me” with Scout Taylor Compton and Danielle Harris. You can sign up to go on a Celebrity Ghost Hunt at the Living Arts & Science Center in Lexington with Rob Thompson (“The Ghost Finders”) and Dave Schrader (“The Holzer Files”). Fans of “The Walking Dead” can pay to have dinner with special effects artist/director Greg Nicotero at Lexington’s Nic & Norman’s restaurant .

New restaurant from ‘Walking Dead’ star has burgers, meatloaf & an eye-opening Bloody Mary

Lastly, Matthew Lillard will be making one more special appearance as he holds a launch party and whiskey tasting for his own Quest’s End Whiskey .

ScareFest continues to pull out all the stops to make this convention the most enjoyable it can possibly be for celebrities and attendees alike, which makes both want to keep coming back.

“The only thing that would keep me from going to ScareFest is if I was in the hospital in intensive care, in prison on death row or if Steven Spielberg called me for a movie,” Mihailoff said. “I’ll be right there at Scaarefest until they get tired of me.”

“This was just something we did because we loved it and our hearts were in it,” Griffin said. “We were very, very fortunate when we came into this.”

SCAREFEST WEEKEND

When: 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20 (Kids Day)

Where: Central Bank Center, 430 W. Vine St.

Tickets: $30-$75.

Online: For more information or to order tickets, visit scarefestweekend.com.