Flashback Weekend Is Coming!

Flashback Weekend Chicago Horror Con has been a staple on my calendar for many years. Of course, I already had circled August 4-6 this year, but when Robert Englund was announced as the headliner guest, I recircled it and highlighted it. Englund is a real legend in the industry and by himself, he would be enough reason to get me to Flashback.

As excited as I am for Englund, I shouldn’t overlook the rest of the star-studded celebrity guest lineup. The celebrity roster is accomplished, deep and very popular.

Also appearing is Lance Henriksen who has a lengthy resume, including Aliens, Near Dark and so many more. Henriksen could easily be the main headliner in any convention.

There is a bit of a reunion from the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise, including Heather Langenkamp, Amanda Wyss, Andras Jones, Kelly Jo Minter, Toy Newkirk, Brooke Theiss, Ronee Blakely, Danny Hassel, Tuesday Knight, Brooke Bundy, Lisa Wilcox and Joanne Willette. For horror fans, especially Elm Street collectors, that is quite a group.

From the Freddy vs. Jason franchise, Ken Kirzinger, Ricky Dean Logan, Kathy Isabelle and Paula Shaw will be appearing. David Della Rocco and Sean Patrick Flannery (from the Boondock Saints) will be there, too.

Equally as popular, but representing the non-horror Revenge of the Nerds are Curtis Armstrong and Donald Gibb. There’s also Cerina Vincent (Cabin Fever), Lew Temple (The Devil’s Rejects) and Ken Foree (Dawn of the Dead).

That lineup is impressive enough, but there are plenty of guests with a more Cicago flavor. Svengoolie is hugely popular and still going strong after years of being the face of Chicago horror on television. Sven is as fan-friendly as he is popular. If you want to meet this horror icon, plan to get in line early.

The Master of Ceremonies is Dann Gire and the co-hosts are Nick Digilio, Steve Prokopy and Heather Wixson, John Laflamboy, Chad Savage, Jim Norfleet and Ron Fitzgerald will also be on hand.

I mainly go for the celebrity guests, but there are a bunch of other cool events. On Saturday night, there is a special screening of A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master. It’ll be on a giant outdoor movie screen, introduced by Englund and the aforementioned cast.

On Saturday afternoon, there is the 12th Annual Sinister Visions Costume Contest hosted by Sven. This is a ton of fun, whether you are in the contest or just a spectator. Some costumes are incredibly realistic, while others are just much simpler, but still effective.
On Saturday, you can be amazed and entertained by Ron Fitzgerald’s Realm of Magic and Burlesque show. I’ve seen his act a few times and it’s always a lot of fun.

There will also be several Discussion and Q&A panels. This is a chance to hear interesting stories from the actors.

Flashback Weekend is being held at the Crowne Plaza in Rosemont. It’s a great location and there are so many fantastic dining choices in the area. If I didn’t live so close, I’d be staying at the Crowne Plaza and enjoying Flashback and Rosemont all weekend.