Flashback Weekend Returns July 30-August 1

One month from today, I will be back at my first convention since before the pandemic. Flashback Weekend is the perfect place for my return to convention fun.

The 20th annual Flashback Weekend Chicago Horror Con runs July 30-Aug. 1, 2021 at their beautiful new venue, the Hyatt Regency O’Hare Chicago at 9300 W Bryn Mawr Avenue in Rosemont. Flashback Weekend is Chicago’s largest and longest running Horror Convention. I'm not positive, but I'm pretty sure I have only missed a couple over the years.

Flashback Weekend is where I met Rowdy Roddy Piper, one of my all-time favorite celebrities. Not only did I meet Piper, I had a real conversation with my idol, something that rarely happens at other such conventions.

In addition to Piper, I have met and had fun with so many other great celebrities at Flashback. I took silly pictures with Dana DeLorenzo. I talked All My Children and Married With Children with Amanda Bearse. I interviewed Linda Blair about her Worldheart Foundation. I met Neve Campbell in a rare midwest appearance for her. That's just a few of the hundreds of awesome celebs I have met at Flashback Weekend and this year there is a whole new lineup of great celebrities I look forward to meeting.

This year's celebrity roster includes Tobin Bell, Shawnee Smith, Nick Castle, Kane Hodder, James Jude Courtney, Mark Rolston, Jenette Goldstein, Zach Galligan, Peter Cowper, Sandy Johnson and Carla Harvey. 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. An underrated classic, Killer Klowns is one of my longtime favorites.

The legendary horror host Svengoolie is one of the yearly highlights at Flashback. Sven will be signing autographs and posing for pictures, but he will also host the Sinister Visions Costume Contest on Saturday afternoon. As of this writing, this is the first scheduled appearance for Svengoolie and it is sure to be a major draw. After 40+ years of entertaining fans, Svengoolie is more popular than ever. If you haven't met Sven yet, Flashback Weekend is the perfect place.

Flashback Weekend always has special panels and Q&A sessions. These are great opportunities to hear stories and behind-the-scenes bits from the celebrities.

There are also many vendors promoting and selling cool stuff. Authors, artists and creators of all kinds display their creations. I have met many interesting folks, like independent filmmaker John Borowski. After te many years, I have become convention friends with many of these talented folks. I always look forward t their latest offerings.

On Saturday evening, there are screenings, special events and after-party and more. This is part of the unique vision of Flashback. It's a “Convention by Day – Horror Film Fest by Night” and both parts are highly entertaining.

As I was writing this, I got a mini-scoop from creator Mike Carey. On Saturday, there will be an exclusive sneak preview of The Manson Brothers Midnight Zombie Massacre with reception to follow. Cast members UFC Hall of Fame Member and Expendables Star Randy Couture, Fire in the Sky, Eight Men Out and Cutting Edge Star DB Sweeney and Creators Mike Carey and Chris Margetis will be in attendance. I know Carey and Margetis are very excited about this and I am really looking forward to this.

Lastly, one my favorite parts is reconnecting with friends at Flashback. At the top of that list are Mike and Mia Kerz, the folks behind Flashback. Tireless workers throughout the weekend, they do everything to make this con run smoothly. I'll be going with my pal Cuzz Gekas and I am sure to run into many other friends attending Flashback. It's a month away and I cannot wait.

I'll be providing updates here as they are announced. After Flashback, I will have a recap of the weekend of fun at Flashback!