Creature Feature Weekend was held on March 17-19, 2023, moving from its usual Labor Day Weekend timeslot. The Gettysburg, PA horror convention may have traded the summer heat for an early spring affair, but the cooler temperatures did not dissuade attendees from filling the Wyndham Gettysburg hotel.

The con hosted two reunions, welcoming Doug Jones, Tobias Jelinek, and Larry Bagby from Hocus Pocus, and the Chiodo Brothers, Grant Cramer, Suzanne Snyder, Mike Martinez, and Harrod Blank from Killer Klowns from Outer Space. (Visit our Main Event section to read an interview with Doug Jones.)

The celebrity guest list was rounded out by Danny Lloyd (The Shining), Tim Balme (Dead Alive), Will Sandin (Halloween), Ari Lehman (Friday the 13th), Andrew Hubatsek and Brad Greenquist (Pet Sematary), Jim Krut (Dawn of the Dead), Bill Russell and Lauren-Marie Taylor (Friday the 13th: Part 2), Michael Villella (Slumber Party Massacre), and Jason Seaux (Necro-Man comic artist).

Creature Feature sets itself apart from other horror conventions by going beyond the typical autograph/selfie meet and greets for more opportunities to spend time with the guests. The filmmakers and cast of Killer Klowns from Outer Space entertained audiences with a live commentary showing of the movie. Danny Lloyd also did a live commentary showing of The Shining. Brad Greenquist, who played the ill fated Victor Pascow in Pet Sematary, participated in a live make-up effects application.

The con offered in-costume pro photos with Tim Balme as Lionel in Dead Alive, Mike Martinez and Harrod Blank as Killer Klowns, Greenquist as Pet Sematary’s Pascow, Lloyd in Danny Torrance’s rocket sweater from The Shining, Lauren-Marie Taylor as Vickie in Friday the 13th: Part 2, and Michael Villella as Slumber Party Massacre’s Driller Killer. Guests also participated in panels and Ari Lehman, Friday the 13th’s first Jason, performed in concert. The Mary Lous and Beach Creeper also performed in concert.

Once again, Scares that Care, Gemstone Publishing, and Hake’s Auctions co-sponsored the convention. Scares that Care hosted a charity auction throughout the weekend, Gemstone sold The Overstreet Guide to Collecting Horror, and Hake’s showcased horror memorabilia in their recent auction and discussed consigning to future auctions.

The vendor area, which previously included a large convention room and two hallways, expanded with the addition of two more vendor rooms. LB 3D Design sold limited edition action figures made specially for Creature Feature Weekend. Buffalo Bill’s House, the real house where Silence of the Lambs was filmed, had a booth where attendees could learn about staying the night at the iconic location. Vendors sold a wide mix of collectibles, including DVDs and VHS tapes, action figures, horror magazines and comics, t-shirts, jewelry, statues, tabletop games, vintage toys, mini posters, and more. Artists were also on hand offering horror-themed prints and posters, as well as canvas displays, paintings, and detailed wood carvings.

Independent films were shown throughout the weekend, kids Trick ‘r Treated through the vendor area on Saturday afternoon, and the hotel bar hosted karaoke. Food trucks were parked just outside of the convention area, giving attendees, vendors, and guests a convenient place to grab lunch and dinner.

By the end of the weekend, many of the vendors reported successful sales, the guests expressed their enjoyment at meeting fans, and attendees showed off their celebrity photos and new purchases. The 2023 installment of Creature Feature Weekend was a very successful con with many people already excited for the 2024 event. News on upcoming Creature Feature events can be found on their website and Facebook.