Marking a dozen terrifying years of rocking the Nutmeg State, CT HorrorFest returned to the Doubletree by Hilton in Stamford, CT, for a second straight year on August 22nd and 23rd. As has become the norm for this annual celebration of all things horror, the fans who flocked to the gathering left entertained and their spooky cups filled to the brim with the beloved celebrities, diverse vendors and awesome panels that the crew at CT HorrorFest have been associated with for over a decade now. We were also treated to a big birthday celebration, and even a surprise marriage proposal!
While the general layout of the show at the hotel is different from the convention center setting, there were still plenty of costumed devotees of the wicked and uncanny cosplayers circulating to wet any ghoul’s whistle. Packed crowds were also treated to many unique vendors of the horror world, offering everything from vintage VHS tapes to large works of original art and jewelry, from the latest in horror toys and dolls to creative flags and t-shirts bearing the scary icons that we all know and love. Both days saw impressive and creative outfits of the attendees battling it out at the adult and kids costume contests. They fans brought the heat in 2026!
Headlining the guest list at this year’s CT HorrorFest was Slipknot (and Stone Sour) frontman and overall horror disciple Corey Taylor, who took the time to sign every last mask, album and everything under that sun that his loyal fans lugged in to the grand ballroom. Joining Taylor in the ballroom was return guest and HorrorFest favorite Shawnee Smith (Amanda Young from the Saw franchise), perhaps the most prolific Jason Voorhees in all of Crystal Lake Kane Hodder (Friday the 13th 7, 8, 9, X and Jacob Crowley in the Hatchet franchise), killer final girl and Jason rival Jensen Daggett (Rennie from part 8: Jason Takes Manhattan), and Trick ‘r Treat’s Sam in the flesh, Quinn Lord (another HorrorFest favorite.)
Joining that impressive slate of celebs was a Jeepers Creepers reunion featuring Jonathan Breck (The Creeper), Gina Phillips and Brian Penikas, a Halloween (1978) reunion with Will Sandin (young Michael), Sandy Johnson and Nancy Stephens, legendary stuntman Tony Cecere (Scream, The Thing, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Ghostbusters), and the man behind the Bughuul mask in Sinister, Nicholas King.
The benchmark of every CT HorrorFest, the wonderfully-insightful and interactive panels, was again on full display in Stamford. Fans were treated to tales of behind the scenes action for many horror classics like Halloween, Jeepers Creepers, Saw (and Summer School!), and Friday the 13th part 8 directly from the actors and crew involved in the craziness.
This year, CT HorrorFest screened an original film directed by and starring many Connecticut natives as the movie Night of the Vamp-Friars was shown to the fans. Night stars local actor Joey Ambrosini, Abby Arza, and valuable HorrorFest staffers Amy Holomakoff and Larry Dwyer. Following the successful screening, which elicited spirited and uproarious responses from the packed house, director and writer Kurtis Spieler (another HorrorFest hall-of-famer) took questions and comments from the audience as well.
It was another fun and enjoyable CT HorrorFest in Stamford……but the fun isn’t over in 2026. On October 17th and 18th the inaugural edition of the New England Halloween Fest will invade the Mohegan Sun Convention Center in Uncasville, CT. The CT HorrorFest crew will be bringing you a brand new event for all lovers of the Halloween season and those who celebrate the weird and spooky all year round. Details can be found at NewEnglandHalloweenFest.com. See you there!
