PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Ever since the loss of Worcester’s Rock and Shock Music and Horror Convention (started in 2010 by Kevin Barbare of WAAF fame) in 2019, New Englanders have been clamoring for a pace where they can bring their love of music and horror together in one place. Spencer Charnas, of local horrorcore metal band Ice Nine Kills, brought decided he needed to remedy that, and in 2022, Silver Scream Con was born. It was a historic event, one that immediately garnered both attention and respect from the horror- and music-loving community.
So it was to the surprise to no one when a second con was announced. A sequel, so to speak. Taking place in Danvers, MA at the Doubletree Boston North Shore hotel on September 8-10, 2023, the second annual Silver Scream Con was a huge success. This horror and music lovers’ microcosm brought in double the amount of people from the previous year, spreading the bloody love across New England.
Some of the horror talent that attended Silver Scream Con 2023 includes Joe Lynch (Wrong Turn 2: Dead End 2007), Adam Green (Hatchet franchise), Tom Morga (Friday the 13th: A New Beginning 1985, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 1986), CJ Graham (Friday the 13th VI: Jason Lives 1986), Tony Todd (Candyman franchise), Ice Nine Kilkls’ Spencer Charnas, Dick Warlock (Halloween II 1981), Monstervision’s Joe Bob Briggs and his cohort, Darcy the Mail Girl, Skeet Ulrich (Scream 1996), Catherine Corocan (Terrifier 2016), Terry Kiser (Weekend at Bernie’s 1989), WWE’s Chris Jericho, Leah Voysey (Terrifier 2 2022), Child’s Play’s Alex Vincent and Christine Elise, Don Shanks (Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers 1989), Tommy Lee Wallace (Halloween III: Season of the Witch 1982), Judie Aronson (Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter 1984), Nadia Teichman (Silencer 2018), Robert Brian Wilson (Silent Night, Deadly Night 1984), Eric Freeman (Silent Night, Deadly Night 2 1987), FX Artist Christopher Nelson, Jenna Kanell (Renfield 2023, the folks from The Dead Meat Podcast, and William Forsythe (Halloween 2007). Unfortunately, Tom Atkins and Tom Savini had had to cancel at the last minute.
Most of the Silver Scream Con 2023 festivities took place in one huge room at the Doubletree Boston North Shore hotel. The celebrity talent and cosplayers were spread out along the outer walls of the room, leaving enough floor space for lines plus room for people to walk through without to much trouble. I had been nervous initially thinking about last year’s very crowded event, especially knowing how many more people had gotten tickets this year. But I was pleasantly surprised that it was not nearly as claustrophobic as I thought it would be.
Spencer Charnas, Skeet Ulrich, Tony Todd and Chris Jericho were in a separate room to make way for the longer lines for photos and autographs. This was a good plan, as I overheard on Saturday that the line for photos with Spencer were cut off due to the amount of time it would take to finish up who had already claimed a spot. This room was almost as packed with people as the main room, despite there only being 4 celebrities in there. Of course, one of the only public bathrooms was on the other side of this room, so I’m sure there were a lot of people just cutting through to freshen up.
Most everything was centered in one of two main rooms on the first floor of the hotel, although the panels were in another, deeper part of the building. Wandering around down there made me wonder if I had stumbled into my own horror movie setup.
At the end of some very long hallways, an open door led to a big hall filled with chairs facing a center stage. There was plenty of seating, even with the amount of people who found their way down the mysterious hotel corridors to ask their favorite celebs some tricky questions.
My question for Joe Bob Briggs and Darcy the Mail girl: “What will you drive during the post-apocalypse?” Joe Bob’s answer: “A Monster Truck, obviously.” Darcy decided she would just hop in the back of Mr. Brigg’s big truck and be safe. Good answer!
This year’s Silver Scream Con had a lot more vendors, which is always a plus. Bringing home souvenirs (especially signed ones!) is one of the best parts of going to horror conventions. Not to mention all of the INK stuff!
There was even zombie face painting!
And let’s not forget Count Orlok’s Nightmare Gallery. Recognize that birthday cake?
And tons of cosplayers… These are my favorites!
The second annual Silver Scream Con went above and beyond the inaugural event in all ways. We can’t wait to see what they do in 2024!
