Tag Archives: scarefest

Shakespeare and Co.–Must Eat Here

18 Tuesday Oct 2016

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Shakespeare and Company—Must Eat Here

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When in Lexington, make sure to eat at Shakespeare and Co., https://www.facebook.com/shakespeareusa/. Whenever I’m attending Scarefest, I always dine (multiple times even) here. I love it! The iced tea is fresh—very important for me. The décor is shabby chic, which I cannot pull off at home. Finally, my teenage daughter can chow down on crepes and Caesar wraps, while I enjoy the shrimp and avocado sandwich. Located in the heart of downtown (with 2 additional locations in the Lexington area), the restaurant is two blocks from the Lexington Convention Center. Next year when you head to Scarefest, plan on stopping in.

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Interior beverage station.

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Beautiful interior.

Campy Antics at Scarefest 9

18 Tuesday Oct 2016

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Campy Antics at Scarefest 9

scarefest9

“All things eerie and mysterious” descend in Lexington every fall. Scarefest started in 2008. Held annually in Lexington, Kentucky, Scarefest is billed as the largest horror and paranormal convention in the United States. Every year Patty Star, owner and CEO, attempts to outdo the previous year. This year was no different. Built around the incredibly popular and financially lucrative franchise of “Friday the 13th,” Scarefest 9’s theme was “Camp Scarefest.”

Celebrity guests are the largest draw for attendees. Camping out this year were former stars from Friday the 13th movies, Rob Zombie’s 31, The People under the Stairs, Scream, and Children of the Corn. Rounding out the schedule were paranormal favorites Kim Russo, Jason Hawes, Chip Coffey, and new breakout fan-favorite Elizabeth Saint. Attendees have a lot of access with V.I.P. parties, photo opportunities, and chit-chatting at the individual tables.

There’s a great deal to take in. Balancing out the celebrity sightings are vendors and seminars. In addition, cosplay appears to be growing with the addition of professional cosplay entertainers. Bring a camera and don’t be shy. These performers love an audience and enjoy posing with fans.

This year Paranormal Filler host Wes Forsythe kicked off the inaugural season of Scarefest Radio, http://scarefestradio.com/. Wes brings vendors and guests to the Internet airwaves as a preview for the coming events. Brilliant! Scarefest Radio returns in a couple of weeks for Scarefest 10. Tune in for a chance to win a 3-day pass, given away weekly.

 

Scarefest Newbie

24 Wednesday Sep 2014

Posted by in Famous People, In the News, Live Paranormal, Scarefest, SyFy Channel

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Entrance to Scarefest

Entrance to Scarefest

Scarefest Newbie

I’m a Scarefest newbie attending the annual Horror/Paranormal Convention in Lexington, Kentucky, September 12-14 for the first time. It is the largest horror and paranormal conference in the South. The venue was amazing and convenient.

The Platinum Package was well worth it. I saw Jake Busey and Corey Feldman before it all started.

Crowds were small on Friday. I browsed the 200+ vendor booths, chatted up my favorite paranormal people, and made the following observations:

  • Wes Forsythe is the hardest working radio broadcaster in the business. He’s also the most gracious and helpful.
  • Live Paranormal’s Rob Szarek is drumming up interviews and business to expand the paranormal radio market.
  • Dustin Pari really does believe in God. He walks the talk. He is Mr. Congeniality by being incredibly sweet and supportive.

  • Dustin Pari

    Dustin Pari

  • Amy Bruni and Adam Berry are the cutest non-couple coupled in the paranormal industry.
  • Amy Bruni

    Amy Bruni

    Adam Berry

    Adam Berry

  • Amy Allen is for real. I doubt her skeptics have ever heard her publically speak.

  • Amy Allan

    Amy Allan

  • John Zaffis is friendly at his booth, in his sessions, and at the elevators. Very professional and accessible. Visit him at his new museum. Worth the drive.
  • Chris Lindberg and John E.L. Tenney are enjoying the Ghost Stalker ride, Coachman RV and all. Good for them!

  • Ghost Stalkers

    Ghost Stalkers

  • The Booth Brothers had the best movie prop: an antique Victorian camera complete with a beautifully crafted base. Their new film Dead Still premieres on SyFy on October 6th at 9 pm EST.

I spent Saturday shuttling from one session to another. Thankfully, I held a Platinum Pass, allowing me to by-pass most long lines.

By Sunday I was exhausted. I was unable to attend every session. That’s why I’ll be back next year. For more information visit the Official Scarefest Website, www.Scarefestcon.com.

 

A Genuine Amy Allan

24 Wednesday Sep 2014

Posted by in Animals, Famous People, In the News, Pets, Psychics, Reality TV, Scarefest

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Amy Allan

Amy Allan & Bella at Scarefest.

A Genuine Amy Allan

Amy Allan stood nervously in front of the 100+ people at Scarefest and was amazed. She was utterly surprised that all of these people wanted to listen to her. She was very popular and her Q & A quite informative.

Amy Allan is the psychic medium star of Travel Channel’s Dead Files. Together with retired police detective Steve DiSchiavi, Amy tours predominately residential houses helping the occupants understand the possible paranormal events occurring. The show is very popular.

Amy Allan comes from a lineage of psychics. Though Amy admits to difficult teen years, she eventually embraced her gifts and studied under Dr. William Roll. Early in her career, Amy apprenticed with Dr. Roll in the Haunting in Georgia case.

Initially approached in 2003, Amy declined an offer for the TV show because of contractual obligations with CBS. However, things changed by 2007 and Amy agreed to join the show…but on her terms. Amy works within a scientific background and demands certain methodology to ensure that the cases are not compromised. She is adamant that the rules be followed so that the results and data are not faulty—basically to preserve integrity.

Walk-through investigations take between 3-6 hours. They are physically draining. Afterwards, Amy meditates, orders a lot of food to help with grounding, takes a bath with oils and salts, and then she sleeps—a lot. Psychic work is tough on the mind and the body.

Amy travels “with a lot of dead people” who surround her and protect her during the walks. Amy calls her spirit guides “amazing,” stating “They have my back.”

Prior to arriving at a location, Amy conducts a partial opening. Understandably, the walk-throughs are edited and pared down.

Some additional factoids:

  • Ex-husband Matt removes the personal items; however, it takes 3-4 people to reassemble the house.
  • Amy travels 26 days a month, 8 months a year.
  • Amy agrees with most of the sketches; however, she prefers to work with a police sketch artist.
  • The sketches take between 3-4 hours to create with the longest taking 9 hours.
  • Amy thought the sketch from the Alaska investigation was a practical joke by the crew.
  • Amy has encountered dead family pets, as well as a cow.
  • Amy is working on 2 books.

Amy continued the Q & A session by telling the crowd the importance for the living to release the dead, especially children. Amy educates the attendees. Dead Files incorporates skeptics with a psychic medium supported by research. The most important aspect is to isolate the medium from the researcher. This eliminates contamination. Despite Internet gossip, Amy does use paranormal equipment. She would like to see it used more in scientifically controlled environments. Amy encourages paranormal groups to do more than use the tools; incorporate them into longer research endeavors.

Amy Allan was genuine and entertaining. Asked whether Dead Files was renewed for another season, Amy merely smiled. Wink. Wink.

Chad’s the “Man” for Ghost Stalker Premiere

18 Thursday Sep 2014

Posted by in Famous Locations, Ghost Hunting, Haunted Houses, In the News, Media, Paranormal, Real Estate, Reality TV, Reviews, Scarefest

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Ghost Stalkers

Ghost Stalkers

Chad’s the “Man” for Ghost Stalker Premiere

Scarefest 2014 attendees screened the pilot episode of Ghost Stalkers, starring Chad Lindberg and John E.L. Tenney. Produced by Ghost Adventurer’s Nick Groff, Ghost Stalkers follows Chad and John as they tool around in a Coachman RV and investigate six highly active haunted locations. The “Whispers Estate” was profiled in the first episode.

Built around 1894, the “Whispers Estate” was originally owned by Dr. George and Sarah White. They sold the 3-story Victorian house to Dr. John and Jessie Gibbons, who adopted orphaned children. One child was Rachael. At age 10, Rachael started a fire in the first-floor parlor. Badly burned, she died within a few days. Other family members died in the house. Paranormal investigators believe some are still attached and haunt the house.

The current owner, Vann, rents the house out for paranormal investigations. The caretaker, Gwen Zeigler, has a profound attachment to the property. Both believe that a vortex exists in the parlor.

The 30 minute preview consisted of Chad’s lockdown in the house. Both Chad and John spend a night at the location while the other monitors the cameras from inside the RV. Although neither stated how each episode concludes, I would image that there is some sort of evidence review incorporated into the show.

At this location, Chad experiences strange anomalies prior to his lockdown and during. He hears disembodied voices and footsteps. He even captures an EVP recording. At one point Chad begins to breakdown and to question his ability to complete the lockdown. Chad replays the digital voice recorder and hears “Chad…Be a man.” With that challenge, Chad finds his courage and proceeds.

Chad’s compromised emotional state is refreshing. His fear is real. Yes, I know he is a paid actor; however, his inability to control his voice and shaking hand earns my respect. When the “shit got real,” Chad reacted. [Note: See “Chip Coffey is not the Western Union of the Dead” for context.]

Equally real is the bat that appears out of nowhere. After filming, both inquired about the bat. According to Vann, no one has ever witnessed a bat in the house before. [Teaser: Seems a bat appears in all 6 episodes AND Chad’s favorite superhero is Batman. Interesting.]

Chad was respectful during his lockdown announcing, “I come out of love and respect.” I look forward to screening the entire episode. My early assessment is positive. I hope Chad and John break new ground. The 6 episode season highlights locations that have not been overexposed by other TV shows. This remains to be seen. Although John remained tightlipped, he did offer a teaser: former Maryland mental facility. Tune in, set your TiVo or DVR, or watch On Demand on October 19th at 10 pm EST for Ghost Stalkers, Destination America’s latest paranormal offering.

 

Chip Coffey Is Not the Western Union for the Dead

16 Tuesday Sep 2014

Posted by in Famous People, Live Paranormal, Psychics, Scarefest

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Chip Coffey

Chip Coffey

Chip Coffey Is Not the Western Union for the Dead

The self-proclaimed “Southern, gay, Catholic, psychic,” Chip Coffey spoke before a lively audience at Scarefest 2014. His personal disclosure of the day: Aliens scare the shit out of him!

Coffey answered questions prior to his Gallery reading. At an early age, Chip could predict when and who was telephoning his house, describing himself as “an early form of caller ID.” He was in his early 40s when he discovered his mediumship abilities. Raised Catholic, Coffey loves the Catholic faith but not the Church stating, “Religion screws up so much.” He abides by two principles: 1) Do not intentionally harm yourself or others, including animals, and 2) Find what makes you happy. And Chip does. He is part comic, part medium. His stories are peppered with humor and swear words. Although he claims he drops the F-bomb most, he really prefers the word “bitch.” That’s how he rolls.

Chip helped redefined the paranormal. According to Chip, something is paranormal if 1) you don’t understand it, 2) you cannot explain it, and 3) you cannot deny it. Basically, if “the shit got real,” then it’s paranormal.

With a background in counseling, Chip considers himself a spiritual counselor, often providing life coaching in his readings. He believes in past lives. He does not do readings on himself or for people close to him. Although communication with animals is not his skill set, he does believe that animals have souls. He frequently auctions the scarf he wears at conferences with the proceeds going to an animal rights organization.

Chip controls the inter-dimensional communication by establishing parameters. He is not the Western Union for the dead. Chip unites people with the dead just on his terms.

Chip Coffey--Live Paranormal

Chip Coffey–Live Paranormal

Chris Dedman: Called for a Higher Purpose

15 Monday Sep 2014

Posted by in Conferences, Demonic Possession, Famous Locations, Famous People, Haunted Houses, Paranormal, Religion, Scarefest

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Chris Dedman

Chris Dedman

Chris Dedman: Called for a Higher Purpose

Speaking to a standing room only audience at Scarefest 2014, Chris Dedman announced his intention to study under Bishop James Long and to become a full-fledged Demonologist. Upon completion, Dedman will join the ranks of John Zaffis and Stacey Jones. Dedman cautioned: Do not enter this field of study lightly.

Dedman’s session titled “Demons & Possession” consisted of definitions and insights based on his grounded Catholic beliefs. Dedman warned of the thrill seekers who watch TV and rush out to Walmart, “the world’s largest ghost hunting store.” He emphasized not to provoke a potential demon. [Note: Something I constantly profess to deaf media personalities.]

Three Chilling Cases

Included in the presentation was an authenticated audio clip from the infamous Anneliese Michel possession case. In the clip, you can hear the afflicted young adult spouting off in Latin; the intensity and enormity of the demonic possession is quite evident. It is haunting.

Anneliese Micel

Anneliese Micel

Anneliese Michel (9.21.1952-7.1.1976) was a devout Roman Catholic German high school student when she began to suffer epileptic seizures at the age of 16. She was prescribed medication; however, she began hearing voices soon after. So began the possession of Anneliese. She, her parents, and two local priests believed that she was possessed by a demon. At the age of 23, she withstood 67 exorcisms over a 10 month period. During that time, her behavior became more erratic and bizarre and her health rapidly declined. She died weighing 68 pounds and with both knees broken from continual genuflecting. Her parents and the priests were charged with negligent homicide (topic for another blog). The possession of Anneliese is the topic of three movies and thousands of Internet postings.

The second case was from February 2008 and profiled on the popular paranormal series Paranormal State. “I am Six” was an unsettling case for all involved. Over 10 paranormal teams abandoned this case. Dedman reinforced the idea that teams who find themselves over their heads should call in help.

“I am Six” is a hot, debatable topic on the Internet. The case involved the supposed possession of Laura, a young woman from Quincy, Illinois. The “demon” called himself “Six.” Hence the title. Dedman met Chip Coffey on this case. Contrary to skeptical Internet criticism, Coffey did not travel with the crew and did not know anything about the case prior to his walk-through. Dedman’s lesson in this instance: Call in help. This was not a discussion about the merits of the case, Ryan Buell, or the TV show Paranormal State. [Note: When researching this topic, I was dismayed by the abundance of grammatical errors and factual errors by the skeptics. I’m not persuaded by your argument when you cannot write properly or research correctly.]

The final case was Dedman’s appearance on Ghost Adventurers. The video clip depicted Dedman speaking with Zak Bagans, lead investigator, explaining a spirit box session at the infamous Ax Murder House where an entity said “Legion.” This is a term for demon and unnerved Dedman.

The Villisca Ax Murder House, located in Iowa, was the site of the brutal murder of 8 people on June 10, 1912. [Note: Again, I have problems with the official website of this location due to the number of grammatical errors and the inconsistency in the name “Ax” or “Axe.”]

Dedman’s humor masks the pain he suffers through his work. Once someone faces a demon, he is marked for life. Relationships suffer. Health issues arise. Lives change—and not for the better.

Protect Yourself

Dedman protects himself with a blessed St. Benedict medal. He recites the “Prayer to St. Michael, the Archangel.” He uses blessed salt to protect his environs. And he always puts people first. Proceeds from his booth sales go to the Catholic Church. Dedman is a man of God doing God’s work in very dark corners.

On a positive note: Dedman’s book has been picked up by a publisher and should be published in late 2015. For more information about Bishop Long’s Demonology course, please view www.demonologyclass.com.