By KEVIN HOOVER
What would compel 30,000 horror fans the world over to make the pilgrimage to Lexington, KY this past October? The largest-to-date The Monster Squad cast reunion, panels featuring celebrities from beloved horror franchises and the most possessed Raggedy Ann doll ever—that’s what!
The 17th annual SCAREFEST WEEKEND spanned three stories at the Central Bank Center this past October 17-19. The aforementioned The Monster Squad gathering was but one of the draws, as fans could also sit in on live podcast tapings with Scout Taylor-Compton and Chris Jericho, sip bourbon with Kane Hodder and Felissa Rose and even wrap up the weekend with a nightcap with Robert Englund. And while hundreds of celebrities and vendors—including RUE MORGUE—were busy welcoming fellow genre junkies to the con floor, there was one spectacle that was as attractive as it was foreboding: the Warren Occult Museum.
Tucked away within one of the venue’s ballrooms was a collection of purportedly possessed relics that Ed and Lorraine Warren spent a lifetime sheltering, lest their demonic powers destroy mankind as we know it. Warnings posted outside the room strictly prohibited picture taking or attempting conversations with the objects inside, of which the most popular was Annabelle. Although rumored to leave destruction behind in every town the doll has appeared in, as of this writing, the city of Lexington has persevered with no major catastrophes.
SCAREFEST WEEKEND remains an October tradition, but in the summer of 2026, event organizers are venturing into the realm of hotel shows with the new Spawn of ScareFest outing. Sticking to their home turf of Lexington, the show promises to bring to the same trademark fun and excitement of the large convention center show to a smaller, more intimate environment.
Stay up to date on 2026’s SCAREFEST WEEKEND and Spawn of ScareFest events.
