On Friday, the Oncenter will swarm with people dressed as zombies, members of ‘Star Trek’ and ‘Ghostbusters.’

The first ever Scare-a-Cuse festival will take place from Friday to Sunday. J.V. Johnson, the event promoter, said this is the first event of its kind in Syracuse. It is specifically designed as an opportunity for fans of horror, science fiction, paranormal and anime entertainment to gather and meet some celebrities within the genres, Johnson said.

 

‘Syracuse seemed like a perfect place to hold such a convention — there is a rich history involving those categories,’ Johnson said. ‘There is a large local fan base, and there is a large student population who tend to be very interested in such entertainment.’

 

Johnson said events include a miniature film festival and the chance to meet and get autographs and pictures with celebrities such as ‘Twilight’ star Chaske Spencer and Walter Koenig of ‘Star Trek.’

Chaske Spencer, known for his role as Sam Uley in the last two ‘Twilight’ movies, will attend his first convention as a celebrity guest, Johnson said.

 

‘This may be the one and only chance to rub shoulders with some pretty cool people from movies and television,’ he said.

 

For collectors and hobbyists, there will be dozens of vendors offering items for sale. Attendees will also be able to go to panel discussions throughout the day from some of the industry’s experts, including Douglas Brode, Newhouse professor of film and cinema studies, who will be giving a presentation about ‘The Twilight Zone.’

 

Some special events will include a zombie bash where attendees can dress up as zombies; a Science Fiction and Fantasy Film Festival, which will include independent and classic movies; VIP parties to mingle with many of the celebrities; and anime cosplay.

 

There are celebrity VIP parties scheduled for both Friday and Saturday nights for VIP ticket holders as well as various themed socializing events each night. Saturday night will feature a zombie party, Night of the Drinking Dead, presented by the Syracuse chapter of the Zombie Research Society.

 

Johnson and his crew have been working on this event for nearly a year. With all the thought and work put into this convention, Johnson said he thinks the event will be a success.

 

‘Without question it will be the most memorable event in the Northeast of the year,’ he said. ‘Fans of these genres are some of the most intelligent, uninhibited and fun-loving people in the country, and they never cease to be able to make any event an absolute blast.’

 

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Published on September 7, 2011 at 12:00 pm