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Rosemont's Flashback horror convention boasts killer lineup

When Niles residents Mia and Mike Kerz realized there weren't any horror film festivals in the Chicago area for them to attend, they decided to start their own.

“We are just huge fans of film and horror,” Mike Kerz said. “At the time there was not only no horror festival in Chicago, but there was no film festival for genre films. We really wanted to create the kind of convention that we wanted to go to ourselves.”

The two founded Flashback Weekend Horror Convention in 2002 and the annual event, which runs Aug. 7 to 9 this year in Rosemont, now draws thousands of fans.

Flashback Weekend features panel discussions and Q&As with celebrity guests and a huge vendor room where attendees can buy collectibles and get autographs and photos with actors from horror films and TV shows.

One of those actors is Arlington Heights native Pat Healy, whom horror buffs know for his appearances in the indie films “The Innkeepers” and “Starry Eyes.”

“The fan base for independent horror movies is not huge, but they're very dedicated,” Healy said. “It's just nice to get out there and meet these people face to face.”

While he didn't set out to make horror movies, Healy said he's been a fan of the genre since watching Creature Features on WGN-TV, Channel 9. He made his first horror film, “The Innkeepers,” after meeting director Ti West at the Sundance Film Festival in 2007.

“Those movies aren't giant hits, but the fans of the genre and other independent filmmakers love these movies and watch them like crazy,” Healy said.

Many independent filmmakers have gotten their start in horror, and Kerz said that's one of the reasons he loves the genre. Flashback Weekend is dedicated to providing fans with access to independent horror films and all of its net proceeds go to preserving the Midway Drive-In in Dixon, Illinois, which regularly screens classic genre films complete with vintage ads.

“Because they're independently made, you have these great directors that can follow their own vision,” Kerz said. “Horror films are some of the best movies ever made because of that. It's not that (the directors) are into the blood and the gore. They love films.”

While most people on the street wouldn't recognize him as an actor, Healy said he got stopped repeatedly by fans at San Diego Comic-Con in July, where he was part of a panel promoting the upcoming anthology horror film “Tales of Halloween.”

“It really just happened by accident,” Healy said of his career in horror. “I'm certainly not complaining because it really has built a larger fan base for me which expands to all the work I do. People are now seeking out the other films that I do just because they're fans of the horror films.”

Other major attractions at Flashback Weekend include a Friday concert where composer Alan Howarth will play music he composed for the “Halloween” series while clips from the films are projected on screen. The fest is also staging an outdoor showing of John Carpenter's “Halloween” on Saturday featuring appearances by many cast and crew members, including Nick Castle, who played killer Michael Myers.

Saturday is the fest's annual costume contest, where you'll see fans dressed as horror icons. Sunday is a family-friendly event with horror host Svengoolie and a screening of Rankin/Bass' “Mad Monster Party.”

“It's really fun for all ages,” Kerz said. “So many families grew up watching Svengoolie every Saturday night. Kids of all ages love monsters.”

"American Horror Story: Freak Show" star Naomi Grossman is one of the guests for Flashback Weekend in Rosemont.
Arlington Heights native and horror film star Pat Healy is among the stars scheduled to appear at Flashback Weekend.
Nick Castle, best known for his role as Michael Myers in the original "Halloween," is among the celebrities appearing at Flashback Weekend in Rosemont.
"Re-animator" star Jeffrey Combs will appear at the Flashback Weekend Horror Convention in Rosemont.
An outdoor screening of the 1978 horror classic "Halloween," starring Jamie Lee Curtis, is among the highlights for Flashback Weekend in Rosemont.
Chicago horror icon Svengoolie (Rich Koz) appears at Flashback Weekend, which also features a costume contest.

Flashback Weekend

<b>When:</b> 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday, Aug. 7; 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday, Aug. 8; and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9

<b>Where:</b> Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare Hotel & Conference Center, 5440 N. River Road, Rosemont, (847) 647-3124, <a href="http://flashbackweekend.com">flashbackweekend.com</a>

<b>Tickets:</b> $30-$35 or $65 for a weekend pass; $10 for kids ages 7-13; free for kids younger than 7 with a paying adult. Additional fees apply for special events and autograph sessions.

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