Scarefest Weekend - Day 2

Day 2 will be my final day, as I begin the long trek home this evening. Dakota was in line at 5:30 again today, and I joined him some time after 6:00. For some reason there was just one big line today, rather than separate lines for picking up tickets and re-entry. Once Brandon and Adam arrived, they separated the lines. Brandon even made a separate "Doug line" right by the doors, which was just about the funniest thing ever.

They let us in the building at 7:30ish. I really appreciate that they are letting people in the doors as soon as possible this year.

There wasn’t much action in the VIP/Weekend Plus line area. I think most people did the smart thing and slept in. The real action was down on the second floor where people were lining up for Robert Englund tickets. But time went by quickly, as there were lots of cool people to talk to. Including, of course, my line buddies Stacey and Dakota.

I decided to start the day with Tom Woodruff Jr. I met him yesterday, but I only got a couple of things signed. I didn't have all of my stuff for him with me, as it wouldn't all fit in my trusty cart. When they let us in the doors I bee-lined it for his table, hoping he would already be there. He was! He remembered me from yesterday. I thanked him for being there for the entire VIP hour. He said he was told he didn't need to be there, but he felt he owed it to the people that pay extra to get in early.

I had 8 more items for him to sign, including a massive Trick or Treat Studios figure that damn near took up my whole cart! The main item I needed him on was my large Aliens poster. This has become one of my very favorite items in my collection. There are only a couple more realistic people I can add to this. I didn't get another selfie with Tom, as I got one yesterday.

I decided to go for the Friday the 13th cast next. So I ran around looking for the ones that were already at their tables. I'd say about half of them were there.

In pretty quick succession, I met Jensen Daggett, V.C. Dupree, Tim Mirkovich, Melanie Kinnaman, Miguel Nunez Jr., and Paul Kratka. All were very nice. Paul and Miguel were the only ones I'd met before.

I had Jensen sign my Friday the 13th franchise poster, as well as a Jason Takes Manhattan mini poster.

I had V.C. sign the same two items as Jensen.

Melanie signed the franchise poster, as well as a Part V mini poster. I didn't get a photo with him this time, but Miguel signed these same two items as well.

I had Tim Mirkovich sign the franchise poster above, as well as the poster that came with the Shout Factory "Friday the 13th" Collection.

I already had Paul on my part 3 mini poster, but still needed him on the franchise poster shown above.

At this point I noticed that the two Michael Myers actors were at their tables. I started with Douglas Tait. He's a super cool guy, but with a name like that it should come as no surprise.

I had Douglas sign the same Friday the 13th franchise and Shout Factory posters shown above (I don't want to keep showing them over and over lol). He also signed a Halloween Kills Michael Myers Mask, and my Halloween Franchise poster.

Next up was Don Shanks. I had him sign the obvious Halloween stuff, including the franchise poster above and a Halloween 5 mask. But I also had him sign a mini poster for "Sweet Sixteen". Funnily enough, Dana Kimmell, his "Sweet Sixteen" costar, was on the same flight to Kentucky as Don. They hadn't seen each other since the film came out years ago.

I saw Elias Weir Mitchell standing at the table of one of his "Grimm" castmates, so I jumped in his line. But after a few minutes he still hadn't come to his table, and I saw Scott Reeves walking to his table. So I followed him on over and met him next.

I chatted with him about doing his first convention. He said he was really enjoying it. I had him sign the same two Friday items his other "Jason Takes Manhattan" castmates signed. But since it's been about 57 seconds since you've seen them, I'll show them again!

Barbara Bingham had just arrived, so I went for her next. Our interaction was hilarious. She asked me what my name was. I said "Doug". She responded "Hi Billy!". Then her handler said "Good morning Billy". It was so odd. So I kinda whispered to the handler "the name is Doug", but despite my efforts Barbara heard me. She said "Wait, did you just say your name is Doug? How did I get Billy from Doug?". She seems like a lot of fun. Anyway, she signed the same two items above.

I finally made my way back to Silas Weir Mitchell's table, and got my Halloween franchise poster signed. He was the only "Grimm" cast member I ended up meeting. I had a *Drag Me to Hell" poster for Reggie Lee, but I ran out of money before I could get it signed lol.

Next up was Mike DeLuna. I needed him on a couple of franchise posters. I added him to the Friday the 13th franchise poster I've shown a few times already, as well as the Predator poster below:

At this point I made my way over to Juliette Lewis's table. I've been at a few conventions that she was at, but for some weird reason I hadn't met her yet. She was just arriving at her table. I was going to use a line skip for her, but the attendant was busy so I decided to hit up Jon Abrahams real quick. His table was right next door.

Jon is an awesome guy that I've met a couple of times before. I've already had him sign my "Terrifier" franchise poster and my "House of Wax" mini poster. So today I went with a "Scary Movie" mini poster.

Now it was time to meet Juliette Lewis. This woman is an absolute icon. I'm pretty sure the first thing I saw her in was "Christmas Vacation". Then came the 90s, where she was in so many good movies. "Cape Fear", "What's Eating Gilbert Grape", "Natural Born Killers", "Strange Days", "From Dusk Til Dawn", etc. I'm glad I had this opportunity to rectify my past mistakes of not meeting her.

She was amazing. She had David Bowie music playing at her table, and she was singing along. I'm a David Bowie superfan, so if I didn't like her already, I would have now. She loved my shirt, saying it was her kind of horror movie. I wish Juliette was in more big horror movies. I already have a signed "From Dusk Til Dawn" mini poster that a friend got signed for me a couple years ago. I thought about getting an "Opus" poster signed, but I stuck with my "Yellowjackets" 11x17. Having met Christina Ricci and Juliette Lewis and having them sign the same poster would have made 16 year old me very happy!

I decided to use a line skip for Kane Hodder, so he was next. I've met Kane several times, and he is always a lot of fun. One time when I met him, as we were taking a photo together while sitting next to each other, he said "Why are you trying to be so big!?" lol. He has also threatened to rip my shirt off (it had Michael Myers on it). After he signed my items this time, he said "You have some really nice stuff". I'm not used to sincere Kane Hodder, but I like it!

While I standing in a corner putting my stuff away, Brandon came by. It's pretty awesome that he can find time in what has to be an extremely busy and stressful day to chat for a bit. I had to grab a selfie with him. I'm terrible at taking selfies, so it's slightly blurry.

R.A. Mihailoff didn't have a line, so I met him next.

I hit up Zach Galligan next, and added him to the same "Hatchet" franchise poster above.

Next up was the iconic scream queen Danielle Harris. I've met her several times, but still need her on several things. I could only swing one today, so I added her to the same "Hatchet" poster above that R.A. and Zach signed. She had some (playful) choice words for Robert Englund, who got some stray white paint in her cutout area.

Until recently I thought I was done with Doug Bradley, but I printed this really cool 16x20, so I had an excuse to meet him again. Doug is very chill, though I have gotten the "his name isn't Pinhead" lecture several times now lol.

I made a quick stop at Jeffrey Combs' table. I've met him several times this year, yet somehow always forgot to bring my "Stream" poster. I finally remembered this time. What I didn't remember was to use a Posca for Mr. Combs. He signs really fast, and with the Molotow his signature always streaks a bit. Posca is a bit more forgiving with fast signers. Ah well, it still looks decent.

Jason Patric's line had died down a bit, so I jumped in to get my new "Lost Boys" poster signed. Jason is always nice, and today was no exception.

I made another stop at William Perry's table to get a few more things signed.

I love "Halloween III: Season of the Witch", and it was time to get those guys on my 16x24 poster. I've gotten all of them on a few items now, including other H3 posters, but I really like how this turned out. I was going to use my trusty neon orange Molotow that I use for most Halloween items, but I think the white really pops.

First up was Tommy Lee Wallace. I asked if he could write "Director", and he said he'd rather not. He said it cheapens the autograph. I'm not sure I agree, but other than that he was very nice. He also signed my two "The Fog" mini posters. One of them used to have a John Carpenter autograph, but a volunteer at Steel City con smeared it so I had to remove it.

Next up was the lovely Stacey Nelkin. She's a sweetheart.

And finally Tom Atkins. Tom is my all-time favorite horror icon, just narrowly edging out Brad Dourif. I've met him a few times now. I can still remember how excited I was the first time I met him. Hell, I still get excited when I meet him. He's almost deaf at this point, but luckily I am a very loud talker lol. I didn't grab a selfie this time, as I already have a few with him, and the wallet is getting empty! Other than the "Halloween III" poster above, I had him sign mini posters for "Maniac Cop", "Two Evil Eyes", and "The New Kids".

I had forgotten to get my "Children of the Corn" 11x17 signed by Robby Kiger yesterday, so I visited him and Anne-Marie McEvoy next. Anne-Marie was super sweet, and seemed genuinely excited to be there. Robby was eating, but was nice enough to stop to sign my item.

This "Children of the Corn" poster is coming along really well. If I could just get Peter Horton, I could probably consider it done!

I still wasn't done for the day, but I had to head back to the hotel to pack and check out. I have Globalist status with Hyatt, which guarantees me a 4pm check out. That comes in clutch when I'm staying at a Hyatt for a convention. But it was around 3pm now, so I had to hustle to make sure I was out by 4.

While I was at the hotel packing I packed up all of the stuff I'd already gotten signed. That lightened my load considerably. I also changed my shirt, as I had brought a shirt specifically for a guest I had yet to meet. I ended up with enough time left to sit and relax for 15-20 minutes. Which was probably a mistake, as it was really hard getting back up lol.

After loading the car, I headed back to the convention. I was intending to go meet the person on my shirt first, but I finally saw Dana Kimmell at her table. Every time I had walked by her table previously, she was gone for a panel, photo ops, etc. She had a pretty long line, so I used a line skip for her. She was very nice, as was her son that was sitting at the table with her. I already have her autograph on my "Friday the 13th" stuff, courtesy of Steve over at SteveD3 Authentics. So I had her sign a "Sweet Sixteen" mini poster.

Then I went and saw Scout Taylor Compton. She is one of the sweetest scream queens on the planet. I always love meeting her. She obviously loved my shirt. She even filmed a short clip of us together that she put on her Instagram (h/t Aaron).

Tom Savini had no line, so I hopped over their real quick. I didn't even know this "Dawn of the Dead" figure existed until a couple months ago. Once I saw it I knew I had to have it. I don't think I've ever had an autograph experience go faster. I think I paid, got my item signed, and left, all within 1 minute. If all interactions were like that I'd have finished Scarefest in an hour or two lol.

At this point my wallet was almost empty. I still had something like 40 mini posters with me that I could get signed, but only had enough money left to get four $50ish autographs. So some tough decisions had to be made. The first celeb to make the cut was Brad Greenquist. I've met him a couple of times before, but still had two items for him. The Fangoria magazine with him on the cover will have to wait until next time. I went with an "Annabelle Creation" poster.

Next I went with John Philbin. I've seen John so many times at this point that he greets me like an old friend. I had promised him that I would stop by his table, so I could not renege on that promise. I had him sign the same "The New Kids" poster that Tom Atkins signed for me earlier. We talked about how underrated the movie is. He was trying to work up the courage to go talk to Tom Atkins. Hopefully he eventually did it! Now I have to find something else to get signed next time I see him.

I was down to my final two autographs. It came down to either getting Brian Bremer and Michael Berryman on separate posters, or getting Bruce Abbott and Jennifer Rubin to sign my "Bad Dreams" poster. Ultimately I went with Bremer and Berryman, as I'd never met either of them before. I really hope I have another chance to get the "Bad Dreams" poster signed.

Brian Bremer was extremely nice. If I ever get the chance to meet him again I'll get a "Society" poster signed.

Last but certainly not least was the iconic Michael Berryman. I already have a "The Hills Have Eyes" mini poster that I bought a couple of years ago, so I got my "Devil's Rejects" poster signed. Michael was not happy with the volume of the guy on the PA lol.

And that brings Scarefest Weekend 2025 to a close for me. I really wish I could stay for the Saturday night festivities, and I really wish I could attend the Robert Englund event tomorrow. But the drive home is a killer, and I have to leave on another work trip Monday morning. So I really need to get home at a reasonable hour on Sunday.

I definitely made a couple of mistakes this weekend, three big ones in particular. I left my "My Bloody Valentine" poster at home, used the wrong color pen for Linnea Quigley on my "Nightmare 4" poster, and forgot to have Kim Myers sign my "Hellraiser" franchise poster. I spend countless hours preparing for these cons, and I still manage to make stupid mistakes. Oh well, it could be worse!

I also held off on a couple of autographs because I knew I'd be seeing them at another convention 2 weeks later. Specifically Chance Michael Corbitt and Billy Wirth. Now I just have to hope they don't cancel!

I felt this way last year, and this year just cemented it. Scarefest is the best horror con out there. The sheer size and scope of this convention is insane, and yet it still feels like a local family run con. How they pull off that combination, I'll never know. I've already booked my hotel for next year! I'm also looking forward to their new "Spawn of Scarefest" show. Hotel shows are a different beast than convention center shows, but I have complete confidence that these guys will pull it off. Brandon, Adrienne, Nicole, Adam, Wes, and all of the other Scarefest Staph. Thanks for a great weekend, and I'll see you next year!

Oooh, I almost forgot the stats! Today definitely broke my record for most autographs and photos obtained in one convention day. It didn't just break those record, it smashed them!

Celebs Met: 35

Photos With Celebs: 26

Items Signed: 38

Autographs Obtained: 67