Spookala horror convention haunts Marion County this month

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Posted May 4, 2022 | By James Blevins
james@ocalagazette.com

Break out your cosplay chainsaws and toy machetes, Marion County, because Spookala is coming to town this May!

Held at 1390 N.W. 80th Ave., the three-day horror convention will start Friday, May 13, and run through to Sunday, May 15. The event features a wide variety of celebrity guests from both film and television to stars of extreme music and professional wrestling.

Special guests include Corey Taylor of the band Slipknot; Harvey Guillen from the FX TV show What We Do In The Shadows; Malakai Black and Danhausen, both of All-Elite Wrestling; Thom Mathews from the film Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives; Andrew Bryniarski from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003); and many, many more.

Event organizer D.J. Gualandri told the Gazette that tickets for the weekend event are affordable and include all kinds of built-in perks.

“On Saturday, you get to see Cory Taylor perform for no additional costs. You get to see Ice Nine Kills perform acoustic as well; then they’re doing a Q&A afterwards,” said Gualandri. “We’re going to have discussion panels with our main guests on Saturday, as well, celebrity meet and greets, plenty of vendors. It’s the best place to go this side of Orlando if you like horror movies.”

Gualandri, who has been hosting events like Spookala in Ocala for nearly two decades, said that the local market for these conventions continue to grow steadily in popularity every year.

“The reaction I’ve been getting from this event and from everyone in Ocala has just been amazing,” Gualandri said.

The convention is open to all ages. Children 10 and under receive free admission with a paid adult. Parking is free. For more information, visit www.Spookala.com.

Spookala Schedule *

Friday, May 13

Doors: VIP 3:30 p.m.; General admission: 4 p.m.

Panels/Stage times

5 p.m.—5:45 p.m.—Felissa Rose (Sleep Away Camp)

6 p.m.—6:45 p.m.—Ari Lehman (Friday the 13th (1980))

7 p.m.—7:45 p.m.—Tom Morga (Friday the 13th Part V: A New Beginning, Halloween 4)

8 p.m.—8:45 p.m.—Thom Mathews (Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives)

Saturday, May 14

Doors: VIP 9:30 a.m.; General admission: 10 a.m.

Panels/Stage times

11 a.m.—11:45 a.m.—Dave Sheridan (Scary Movie)

12 p.m.—12:45 p.m.—James Jude Courtney (Halloween (2018), Halloween Kills)

1 p.m.—1:45 p.m.—TBA

2 p.m.—2:45 p.m.—Harvey Guillen (What We Do In The Shadows)

3:15 p.m.—4 p.m.—Ice Nine Kills (Short acoustic set and Q&A)

4:30 p.m.—5:30 p.m.—Corey Taylor of Slipknot (Acoustic set)

6 p.m.—7 p.m.—Cherry Bombs (Dance performance)

Sunday, May 15

Doors: VIP 10:30 a.m.; General admission: 11 a.m.

Panels/Stage times

12 p.m.—12:45 p.m.—Wrinkles the Clown

1 p.m.—1:45 p.m.—Quinn Lord (Trick ‘r Treat)

2 p.m.—2:45 p.m.—Naomi Grossman (American Horror Story)

3 p.m.—3:45 p.m.—Miko Hughes (Pet Sematary (1989))

4 p.m.—4:45 p.m.—Michael Berryman (The Hills Have Eyes)

5 p.m.—Costume/Cosplay contest

Cancellations: Scout Taylor-Compton, Michael St. Michaels, Sky Elobar, Brian Prince and Bob Elmore.

*All information was taken from the Spookala.com website on April 25. See website for updated information as the event nears.