Flashback Weekend Returns August 1-3

Flashback Weekend is only about three weeks away. Chicago's largest and longest running Horror Convention returns August 1-3 at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare Chicago at 9300 West Bryn Mawr Avenue in Rosemont. Operated masterfully and passionately by Mike and Mia Kerz, Flashback Weekend debuted in 2002 and has grown into a Chicago and horror institution.

This year, the headliner is Robert Englund, a true horror legend. His portrayal of Freddy Kruger in the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise set the standard for horror villains. Englund by himself would be enough for any horror con, but Flashback Weekend's celebrity roster just begins with Englund.

The list of celebrities continues with Joe Dante, Dee Wallace, Devon Sawa, Kane Hodder, Danielle Harris (with two special photo ops, Jamie Clown and Bloody), Adam Green, Robert Pendergraft, Barbara Crampton, Bruce Abbott, Ken Kirzinger, Amanda Wyss, Tuesday Knight, Andras Jones, Spencer Charnas, James A. Janisse, Chelsea Rebecca, Damien Leone, David Howard Thornton, Lauren Lavera, Antonella Rose, Samantha Scaffidi, Elliott Fullam, Margaret Anne Florence, Krsy Fox, Amelia McLain, Alexa Blair Robertson and Jason Mecartea. In total, that's nearly 30 legends in horror.

Adding local flavor are the iconic Svengoolie, Nick Digilio, Dann Gire, Jason Paul Collum, John LaFlamboy, John Borowski, James Azrael, Jon Kitley, Chad Savage, Patrick Bromley, Steve Prokopy and others. Although Chicago claims these as our own, their fame goes well beyond the Windy City. Svengoolie alone is enough to draw a huge crowd. (By the way, if you are going to see Sven, arrive early and get in line because he is always one of the most popular folks there.)

As amazing as that list is, Flashback Weekend is more than just celebrity meet-and-greet opportunities (although I love that part). There are special photo ops, panels Q&A's, screenings, a costume contest and more. I always say it has everything a much larger convention has, while retaining the comfort of a smaller con. It's the best of both worlds. Or it is simply the best!

I have attended Flashback Weekend since its debut. Over the years, I have made many new friends at Flashback, including the Kerz family. Every year, it is like a big reunion as I cross paths and reconnect with friends in various sections of the convention.

Whether this would be your first convention or you're a seasoned veteran of cons, Flashback Weekend promises and delivers a weekend of fun every year. I'll be "On the Beat" there as always and I will recap it here later. I hope to see many of you there, too.