Monday, September 16, 2024
Granbury’s Spooky Spectacle returns Sept. 21-22 to the Lake Granbury Conference Center. The event is designed to usher in the Halloween season. Originally a paranormal conference that began more than a decade ago, the event was opened up five years ago to include horror, sci-fi, fantasy and cosplay.
“My mom and I run the Granbury Ghosts and Legends Tour here. It was actually Mom that came up with the idea,” shared event coordinator Brandy Herr.
The two women brainstormed about an event that would include all these different topics, finding that often people who shared one of these interests might share another as well. They sent out email feelers to see what the response would be. The response was enthusiastic.
“It started much more paranormal, more of a serious conference kind of thing — the Granbury Paranormal Expo. And then we just kind of started expanding from there, and that's why we started incorporating the cosplay and the Comic Con aspect of it, because all of it is so much like many different sides of the same coin. If you're into ghost hunting and aliens, you might be into horror. You might be into sci fi. If you're into this, you're probably into this, too, that kind of thing. It just kind of evolved from there,” explained Herr.
Event attendees of all ages are encouraged to attend the event in costume as they peruse the booths, hear the speakers, attend presentations and visit with celebrity guests. Entrance fee is $5 with additional fees for celebrity photos or autographs.
The event is scheduled so that there is enough time to attend the events while also allowing for time to visit the vendors, Herr explained.
“Throughout both days, we’re going to have different speakers and presentations. We have the schedule spaced out enough that you can make a whole day of it. So there is plenty of time.”
Herr is still accepting vendors which now number nearly 50.
This year's headliner is horror movie icon Thom Mathews, star of “Return of the Living Dead 1 and 2” and the “Friday the 13th” franchise, notably “Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives.”
Other special guests include David Ankrum who will appear on Saturday only. Ankrum played Wedge Antilles in “Star Wars, A New Hope.” Additionally, Ankrum was in “Tabitha,” the spinoff of “Bewitched.”
Preston Corbell will appear both days of the event. Corbell is a stuntman best known for his work on “Cabin Fever.”
Actress Mary Deese Hampton is also a special guest. Hampton appeared in “Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay.” Hampton will also represent her late husband, the celebrated Hollywood actor James Hampton known for his work in “Teen Wolf,” “Teen Wolf Too,” “Gunsmoke,” “F Troop” and “Sling Blade.” He was nominated for a Golden Globe for his role in “”
Herr shared that there will be additional features at the Spooky Spectacle.
“We will have the Plan Nine Replicas there with some Jurassic Park Jeep replicas parked outside. And then we have the North Texas Ghostbusters. They will be there with their proton packs. They will have a photo-op set up and possibly an Ecto-1 vehicle as well.”
A portion of the proceeds from Spooky Spectacle benefit T.E.X.A.S. (Texas Equine Xperience And Sanctuary) Rescue, a nonprofit organization that serves to rescue, rehab and rehome donkeys, horses and mules. There will be donkeys from the program in attendance also sporting costumes.
The Hood County Bookmobile will also make an appearance, possibly in costume as well.
“It’s a great event to get one more use out of your Halloween costume,” said Herr.
Herr is particularly looking forward to seeing a young fan and daughter of friends who will be making her professional cosplay debut at just 5 years old, known to the public as Li’l Scream Queen Cosplay.
Spooky Spectacle 2024 is open Saturday, Sept. 21 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is paid at the door. For information about exhibiting at Spooky Spectacle, contact TheSpookySpectacle@gmail.com.
