Days of the Dead took place from November 22 to 24, 2024, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Rosemont. The convention floor featured many new vendors this year, with celebrity guests positioned at the far end, opposite their usual location in previous Days of the Dead iterations—a refreshing change.
The emphasis of this year’s convention was heavily geared toward the Terrifier fanbase. Fans of the Terrifier movies and the film All Hallows’ Eve enjoyed all three days, especially the opportunity to meet David Howard Thornton, the actor behind Art the Clown, and Damien Leone, the creator and mastermind of the franchise. In many ways, Art the Clown has filled a gap in modern horror, becoming the 21st century’s much-needed horror icon. Most iconic figures in horror, such as Lugosi’s Dracula, Jason Voorhees, and Freddy Krueger, originate from the 20th century. However, the 21st century has undoubtedly found its own in Art the Clown. At the moment, Art the Clown seems to be far more popular than Jason, Freddy, or Michael Myers. Throughout the weekend, long lines snaked through the hotel as fans waited to meet the stars and creators of Terrifier. The franchise’s following has grown exponentially since the release of Terrifier 3, with no signs of slowing down. The character has struck an indelible chord with audiences, combining the unsettling image of a clown with the chilling habits of an extreme murderer.
Saturday night offered a special treat for those attending the party in the expanded ballroom: a concert by a Ghost cover band named Absolution. Ghost, a Swedish hard rock and heavy metal band, has released five studio albums since 2010. Absolution performed Ghost’s well-known hits while donning elaborate, theatrical costumes. Their set was acoustic, a departure from Absolution’s usual plugged-in concerts, but it was no less electrifying. The performance drew a large crowd, with many attendees dancing and singing along.
Blood Moon Paranormal was on site for the first time, introducing a new paranormal track that Days of the Dead had not previously featured. The Blood Moon team investigates incidents of preternatural activity across the Midwest and parts of the South, documenting eerie happenings in haunted establishments, prisons, and homes. They held their own panel on Sunday morning, where they discussed their most chilling experiences. When asked about the most haunted locations they had visited, the team cited Old Joliet State Prison in Joliet, Illinois, and Harriman Hospital in Harriman, Tennessee, as the most horrifying. They described both sites as exceptionally haunted, with experiences unlike anything they had previously encountered. The team also recounted their first paranormal investigation at an abandoned asylum in Peoria. Initially, the asylum was off-limits to the public, tempting the team to consider sneaking in. Later, it became accessible for exploration. When Blood Moon finally visited, they found the asylum illuminated with purple lights, creating an atmosphere that was both inviting and eerie.
John Kassir, who portrayed the Crypt Keeper in the HBO series Tales from the Crypt, delighted fans by recording personalized messages in his iconic Crypt Keeper voice onsite. He created voicemail greetings for fans and frequently slipped into the character’s voice at the most entertaining moments during the convention. At his panel, Kassir shared stories from his extensive career, highlighting projects beyond Tales from the Crypt. A lifelong horror enthusiast, Kassir reminisced about staying up late as a child to watch William Castle’s The Tingler on television. His favorite Universal monster is the Frankenstein monster, and he has a warm spot for films featuring the eerie sounds of a theremin. Kassir’s passion for performing began in childhood, and he was a skilled enough singer to appear in musicals. His big break came when HBO executives noticed his voice work on several sitcoms. Before long, he was represented by one of Hollywood’s top voice talent agents. Kassir explained that he loves voice acting because it allows him to portray characters he could never play in live-action roles. He amusingly revealed that he had to restrain the Crypt Keeper’s voice during the first two seasons of the show due to budget constraints—the production couldn’t pay much to the puppeteer needed to animate the character’s mouth. Once the puppet was upgraded, Kassir could fully unleash the Crypt Keeper’s fast, funny persona. Reflecting on the horror genre, Kassir described it as a “stimulant,” allowing audiences to vicariously experience emotions they don’t often feel in daily life.
The costume contest at the convention featured numerous creative entries. The first place winner, who received a substantial cash prize, was a rubber suited Godzilla that required two handlers to operate. Many fans showcased original costumes that were not tied to any franchise or film, entirely unique creations that captured the crowd’s imagination. Contestants in established costumes stayed in character when speaking at the microphone, while those with original designs often invented voices to complement their creations.
Takako Fuji, known for her role in the Ju-on: The Grudge movies, traveled all the way from Japan to attend the convention. Fans of J-Horror regard Takako as a legend in the industry, having portrayed Kayako Saeki, the iconic and eerie character, in four films, including the American remakes. She attended the convention on Friday and Saturday but had to leave early on Sunday to catch her long flight to Japan. During the event, she thrilled fans by recreating her famous scary face in photos, a signature expression that has become synonymous with her character. Hopefully, there will be more films in the Grudge series, as they continue to captivate and entertain audiences.
The next Days of the Dead convention is scheduled for the spring of 2025 and will once again take place at the same hotel. The Crypt Team is eagerly looking forward to the next gathering!
If you like Deadly Dex’s articles, check out his books on Amazon! Published with Airship 27, he writes science fiction, mystery, and sports stories.
