A Weekend at Texas Frightmare – A Love Letter

Some people look forward to the holidays or count the days till their beach vacation. Me? I look longingly toward May every year. It’s like my birthday, Christmas, and summertime all rolled into one fabulous, way-too-short weekend. Texas Frightmare Weekend has become so much more than an annual horror convention – it’s become my horror family.

Texas Frightmare has come a long way since the first time I attended – 2010, four years after the convention first began (I would have come sooner, but I didn’t know about it!) Now, the convention has grown to be not just one of the largest conventions in Texas but one of the biggest horror conventions in the entire country!

This year, the convention finally busted out of its years-long home at the DFW airport’s Hyatt Regency, relocating to the sleek, multi-level Irving Convention Center, promising more space for the ever-growing convention and legions of fans that trek to Dallas each spring. 

I checked into the Westin hotel, directly across from the convention center, and met two of my best friends in the lobby. While we were chatting, we saw John Carpenter amble into the glossy entryway, flanked by handlers, wearing sunglasses, perennially cool. 

A few seconds later, Mr. Carpenter, director of some of the most famous and iconic horror films of all time, hopped into a shiny black car to be chauffeured….directly across the street to the convention center. These are the small things I enjoy about the weekend, the little moments that just make you smile!

The excitement starts as soon as I get in line for my wristband, the plastic band a shimmering holographic strip that will proudly encircle my wrist all weekend long (later to be placed in a Halloween tin at home where I keep all of my wristbands). My stomach flips with happiness, ready to begin the festivities.

Then, I walk into the convention hall. I’m immediately overwhelmed with the sights, sounds, and laughter of the room, swallowed whole by the noise, and I don’t know where to look first. I settle on the Full Moon booth, where my husband and I drop some cash on a stack of the company’s funny as hell films. Everyone is so nice, so happy – the joy of the weekend is tangible, and the air feels electric. 

The Trick or Treat Studios booth always brings it, and this year was no exception! They even had a special Texas Art the Clown enamel pin! I scooped it up ASAP. Walking the aisles, I savored every booth, every cosplayer, every purchase – Texas Frightmare is the one place I can always find so many things I like!

Vendors from all states and even countries, like Sara Deck Art, London 1888, Pallbearer Press, Arrow Video, Gore Noir magazine, Nightmare Toys, and Toy Matrix along with artists and creators line the aisles, each more tempting than the next! I was having a blast as soon as I walked in. So many T-shirts, bags, posters, masks, accessories, and incredible artwork can all be found. And you gotta stop and take photos with cosplayers – you’ll see some absolutely incredible costumes! 

In between ooh-ing and aah-ing over cool shit like Chopping Mall tumblers and a handmade Buffy makeup bag (!!!) I was waving furiously to friends I hadn’t seen since last year, making new friends standing in lines, and talking to vendors while I spent money on items I will only see at this convention – I love supporting creators! 

That means I left with some amazing purchases, like A Nightmare on Elm Street poster from Ghoulish Gary Pullin, a handmade wallet that looks like a VHS tape from Zombness, and a handful of glittering crystal jewelry from HanciaCo, among other things.

Since Friday was for shopping, that meant that Saturday was for autographs, and I couldn’t wait to meet horror heroes. This year, I got to talk to PJ Soles (we had the coolest chat about The Ramones) Bonnie Aarons, Zach Galligan (I confessed my longtime love of Waxwork), Felissa Rose (she’s just as amazing as you’ve likely heard) and of course, Art the Clown himself, David Howard Thornton.

Where else can you stroll by and see Ray Wise and Sam Raimi sharing a giggle, or watch the Chiodo brothers signing giant Killer Klowns posters? How can I even believe I stood in the same room as not one but two Michael Myerses? How many conventions will you get to see Amie Donald do her M3GAN dance at, or see Karen Fields in her signature “Judy” side ponytail? 

Walking near John Kassir’s booth, I hear his voice before I spot the man himself, immediately transporting me back to childhood and many viewings of Tales from the Crypt. Nostalgia envelops me and makes me smile. All these people I grew up watching, hold so dear – all in the same room, meeting regular people like me, sharing their stories and smiles. It’s incredible! 

Texas Frightmare is like a time machine if you, like me, grew up watching and loving horror, and it immediately takes you back to some of your happiest memories. Going to panels and hearing actors discuss their films and tell stories you’ve never heard is like getting a front-row pass to your Blu-ray’s special features.

My best friend, Tiffany, who I met at Texas Frightmare way back in 2016, and I decided to forego the Saturday night karaoke party (where celebs have been known to show up and sing) to have a drink in the hotel bar. 

To our delight, we see David Howard Thornton and Damien Leone stroll in with friends, the men all smiles and laughter, while Tom Savini dines nearby. These are the moments I love at Frightmare, where the fans (us!) get to share space with our favorite actors, the people who bring the characters we love to life. 

Having experiences like that every year is fun, like the year Tiffany and I were in the elevator with Jonathan Breck and he needed her to hold his giant Creeper costume head while he balanced a cup of coffee. Getting to mingle with these people, getting to know them, talking to them, sharing your love of horror with them – that’s worth the price of admission alone. The rest is icing!

Texas Frightmare really outdid itself this year – handmade backdrops and props made photo ops come alive (I was laughing so hard in my Sleepaway Camp photo op…I don’t know what was funnier, the Camp Arawak backdrop or seeing the actors all grown up in their costumes from the ‘80s classic) and guests were lively, talkative, and so much fun.

Seeing my friends was priceless, striking up conversations with strangers while I waited in line was so fun, talking to artists about why you love their art and what they love about the convention, posing with cosplayers and admiring their costumes  – and mainly just feeling like YOU BELONG SOMEWHERE are really the best parts of the convention for me.

It doesn’t get any better than Texas Frightmare Weekend for a horror fan. I never felt like I was a part of anything before, but now, I have a place in my horror family, a place I feel welcome every year, feel happy and joyful, and just feel seen and embraced for the weird little ghoul that I am! And, I am not alone, there are hundreds, no, THOUSANDS of fans that, like me, love all things scary, gory, and gruesome!

I have so much appreciation for Loyd and Sue Cryer, who have worked tirelessly to bring this convention to us for years now, and without this convention, I’d never have had the chance to meet some of my icons – shake hands with Robert Englund (and maybe cry a little), hug Kane Hodder, share a laugh with Felissa Rose, tell Clive Barker what his books mean to me, discuss why Alice is the best final girl with Lisa Wilcox, talk about RL Stine with Tobin Bell, listen to Broadway music with Matthew Lillard, or chat about music with PJ Soles. 

A few years ago, I even got to meet my horror crush since I was a teenager, Tom Atkins! As I always say, Texas Frightmare Weekend makes dreams come true! 

Guests like Sid Haig and George Romero live on in my personal memories of talking with them and enjoying their presence, and I am so very grateful for that. I have met my childhood hero, Elvira, not once but twice! Texas Frightmare makes the 13-year-old inside of me perpetually blissful, and the friends I have made there are truly like family. 

Texas Frightmare Weekend keeps my horror heart beating, and I cannot wait until next year!