The guests at the Fango Con were many including David Arquette (promoting The Tripper), Ken Foree (Dawn of the Dead, The Devils Rejects), Shawnee Smith (Saw films), Doug Bradley (Pinhead from the Hellraiser films), Kane Hodder (Jason from Friday the 13^th) and Lloyd Kaufman of Troma films.

This was really just the tip of the iceberg. Each of the guests signed autographs, took photos and most did a Q & A on the stage with the fans. Interactivity is what the Fango Con is all about. Dee Snider of “Twisted Sister” fame was an exceptional crowd pleaser as he shouted back and forth joking with the crowd during his Q & A session.

At the Fangoria convention you can purchase DVD’s, clothing, jewelry, posters and rare horror memorabilia. The merchandise booths filled two rooms, one on each floor.

Adjoined to the main merchandise room was a large auditorium where the special guests spoke.

In the basement level of the hotel was a film room where you could see a variety a horror films. There was always something going on.

At one point I remember there was about 4 minutes of downtime between guest speakers and Fangoria Master of Ceremonies Tony Timpone wasn’t having it. He immediately had his staff cue up some great trailers for the crowd to watch including some new versions I hadn’t seen for the upcoming films “Grindhouse”, “Transformers”, and “Resident Evil 3”. Let me tell you the crowd really got into the “Grindhouse” trailer.

Fangoria is a great supporter of Independent and mainstream horror. Check out www.fangoria.com for details on the next weekend of horrors convention coming to an area near you.

It’s a must for any horror fan! Don’t take my word for it…check out some of the pictures of me on the frontlines at the Weekend of Horrors.

Fangoria magazine can be found at your local book and comic book stores or online at www.fangoria.com or at www.fangoria.tv

Gary Schultz is a filmmaker in Chicago, IL.

Got a problem? Email us at filmmonthly@hotmail.com