That “back to reality” feeling set in hard this Monday morning after Frank and I were away on another amazing, extended weekend with our horror community at Flashback Weekend Chicago!
Friday started off on a little bit of stressful note because Frank had to drive around for over hour looking for parking in the hotel garage(s). While he was doing that I was standing in the longest hotel check in line I have ever been in. None of this was at fault of the convention but more so the hotel itself. Ironically a majority of the folks I talked to in line were also split up from their group or significant other because they too were outside looking for parking as well. Later we found out that the hotel was hosting another event which had never been an issue before but they also now offer some sort of shuttle service where they let people park their cars there at the hotel garage for days after they shuttle them to the airport. Great perk for them, not so much for those of us actually staying at the hotel.
Once we got all our bags and our big cart full of raffle prizes unloaded from our truck and into our hotel room, we hit up the registration booth where we were greeted by the (always) amazing convention staff and picked up our VIP Ultimate Weekend passes and swag bags. We then decided to refocus our energy on getting a bite to eat and a drink at the hotel bar to cool off from the all the initial chaos. Once we were more relaxed we were ready to have some fun and headed to the convention floor to scope things out, get first dibs on vendor merch, and of course all the fun shenanigans a horror con brings. As always we had a blast the rest of the day and into the evening hours. The hotel may have been chaotic at the start of the day but it’s also one of the coolest ones around. I always joke that it feels like a shopping mall inside which is why I think the 80’s kid/90’s teen in me feels right at home whenever we are there. We also love getting a room with a balcony so we can take in the night sky and watch the planes fly over us.
For Saturday I represented the real OG of Cabin Fever by rocking my Cavity Colors Dennis shirt. I still think Matthew Helms should’ve been a guest for the cast reunion (even though I know that not all guests requests can be made you still can’t convince me otherwise 😆) but I also think I just wanted to yell “PANCAKES” with him and show him my best karate ninja moves. I would say the shirt choice was a success because when we started the day off meeting Eli Roth he immediately pointed it out.
This year was less celeb guest art gifting and more focused on being reunited and networking with our Midwest horror fam, including the one and only insanely talented Chad Savage of Sinister Visions. I stocked up on some of his Halloween art stickers and we were so happy to be able to catch up with him. Even more so later that evening when he was super ghoul to drag Frank and I out of the “shadows” to come mingle alongside him while he made his rounds during the after party festivities.
Fun Fact: Do you remember the Save The Date postcards we sent out for mine and Frank’s Halloween Masquerade wedding reception in 2009? Well…Chad was the talented artist who designed those for us!
We also met up with our September Son Films and High On The Hog movie fam who we got to enjoy drinks and lunch with while we hung out and caught up on all the great things they currently have in the works. As always we reminisced about our mutual friend Sid (Haig). It’s pretty obvious that we all feel a sense of emptiness every time we are at these horror cons without him. It’s also nice to have friends who can relate to what I can only describe as a bittersweet mix of gratitude and loss whenever you see his face on something but don’t see him sitting behind one of the guest tables or across from you at dinner. It’s moments like these that we are all reminded of how much of a blessing Sid was to all of us and how we will always have a unique bond because of him.
As an artist who loves supporting other artists and small business owners, we purchased a lot of fun things from the vendors this year. I unfortunately won’t be posting our full haul because we actually scored quite a few unique items that are going to be gifts for other people. However I definitely have to share this fun pic taken at the Nightmare 1984 booth. The lover of great mashups and the Jane Lane in me had to have this print. My husband being the big They Live fan that he is (and also has a tattoo inspired by the movie) immediately pulled out his wallet when I pointed it out!
Svengoolie made his annual appearance and this time we got to see him in full action mode filming his show throughout the event. Frank also got to see the Phantasm II car that they had on display. We are not sure if it is the same one we saw at a prior event many moons ago, but either way I always enjoy when he gets the opportunity to see cars that were in or inspired by his favorite films.
Saturday evening we attended the VIP Private Gala Cocktail Reception for the Ultimate ticket holders and celebrity guests. You may remember last year when I donated my framed artwork for the raffles and got some of my connections to send me marketing swag to throw in with them to create prize bags. Well they were such a big hit that I joined forces with Mike and Mia (owners and hosts of the con) to make them again this year. With next month being the 5 Year Anniversary of Sid’s passing and him being such a memorable part of our earlier years at Flashback Weekend, I wanted to do something special in his memory. So I donated prints of the portrait I gifted to him as well as some of the Memorial Fundraiser Necklaces I have in stock. I then still donated the money from the necklaces to his widow, my dear friend Suzie but on behalf of the prize winners.
When I announced that I would be making the bags again this year, so many generous artists, vendors, and businesses jumped on the opportunity to sponsor prizes and get their names in front of horror fans. So much so the bags were twice the size that they were last year and we even had some larger prizes that got raffled off separately from Trick Or Treat Studios (including what Chad referred to as “The Head of Svengoolie!”).
Due to there being so many donations and not being able to see all the amazing things inside the bags, I created and displayed a sign next to them that listed all the prize sponsors along with a QR code that attendees were scanning and taking photos of on their phones as they walked into the event. This QR code led them to a prize sponsor page that lists the website links of all of the prize sponsors so they can easily be found online and we can all support what they do. A smaller version was also included in the bags themselves incase the winners wanted to reach out to them directly.
People in attendance could not wait to see if they had won something and those who did were very pleased. Aaron who was a winner last year really lucked out! Not only did he win again this year but after he did he got down on one knee and proposed to his girlfriend! She said YES! Making true love the ultimate prize of the evening. A very memorable moment and we were all honored to have witnessed it.
Be sure to go to the Flashback Weekend Instagram page to see a video reel recap from the event.
After all the hard work that went into the bags, it’s always so rewarding to see the excitement of those who want to win and the smiles on the faces of those who do. The attendees who won them really lucked out thanks to all the amazing boils and ghouls who joined forces and donated to them. I seriously can’t thank you all enough for your generosity and meeting my deadline to keep things going smoothly. You made some hardcore horror fans very happy and the event that much more fun for all.
On Sunday we were tired after a very eventful day and evening but we were also pumped to meet up and have a convention Sunday Funday with our friend Jeff from Anthony’s Collectibles. A great way to end a killer weekend before heading back home.
Fun Fact: I first met Jeff through my brother as they are great friends who served in the army together.
Once again I would like to end this by giving a mad shout out to Mike, Mia and the crew at Flashback Weekend Chicago. Like I told Mike when I saw him this weekend, you guys are the reason we have gotten to experience this convention and meet so many amazing people over the last 20 years and we are so grateful to all of you and the hard work and time you dedicate to putting on such a killer show. Thank you Mike and Mia for making our horror community feel like a family. There are many conventions out there nowadays, and we love them all the same, but the heart and soul you put into this one is why so many of us will always consider Flashback Weekend Chicago our forever horror home.
Stay Spooky & Magical,
LDG Nicole
