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Calling all horror fans: ScareFest returns

Think Comic Con, but with a sick twist.

A person dressed up as a clown at a vendor booth selling other clown things.

Get your tickets to the freak show. | Photo courtesy of ScareFest + Tristan Sutphin

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Is your skin crawling yet? ScareFest is returning to Central Bank Center for its 15th year — and it’s bringing only the creep of the crop for the horror community. We’re talking a spooky tattoo expo, a chance to meet a “Jaws” icon, a film festival, and so much more.

We sat down and spoke with Event Organizer Adrienne Elder about what to expect from the event, the attending celebrities, and how the show’s “staph” volunteers help bring this horror convention alive.

A car parked outside of the Central Bank Center for ScareFest.

This event is eerie-sistible. | Photo courtesy of ScareFest + Tristan Sutphin

How has it been seeing the event evolve?

“I have been with ScareFest for 16 years. I was at the very first ever volunteer meeting for the show, back in the very beginning of 2008.

“It’s been an incredible experience, honestly. But beyond the show, it’s more the community that it’s created. Everybody that comes to ScareFest...is inducted into the ScareFest family.”

Which Lexington attendees are you most excited for?

“So, there was a horror video game that came out — Friday the 13th — a few years ago, and the company that put that game out is called Gun Media...and they’re two blocks away from the convention center in Lexington.”

Two people stand at a vendor booth filled with t-shirts and figurines.

You’ll fall in love at first bite when you see 200+ vendor booths. | Photo courtesy of Tristan Sutphin + ScareFest

What are three things you cannot miss at ScareFest?

“There’s the vendors floor, the celebrities, and the panels. There are 200+ vendor booths there with just all sorts of just incredible [creations.] From sculptures, to paintings, to dioramas or really rare obscure VHS collections.”

“Even if you don’t spend a penny, you won’t waste your time taking in all the amazing things that are on the floor.

It also goes without saying, the chance to see celebrities [like] Richard Dreyfuss, David Arquette...Clint Howard, Ron Howard’s brother...has acting credits that would just blow your mind.”

ScareFest begins Friday, Oct. 20 and runs through Sunday, Oct. 22. Tickets are currently on sale, and give you access to the convention floor, seminar panels, and film screenings.

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