Midwest Paranormal Files to kickoff 2nd annual Paranormal Convention at Shooting Star

BY BRIAN WIERIMA
 
There will be an invasion of ghost hunters, Jason Voorhees and a favorite target of “Halloween” slasher Michael Myers at the Shooting Star Casino Event Center Friday and Saturday Oct. 12-13.
The second annual Paranormal Convention is set to go, and this time, it’s a bigger and more famous talent-laden ticket.
Last year, the first Paranormal Convention was held and it brought good results and numbers out to the Mahnomen casino.
As Marketing Director of Shooting Star, Hotel and Convention Center Bill Marsh said, it’s an opportune time to build on that momentum.
“Our goal is for the convention to be an event for paranormal enthusiasts and hopefully we can build it as the premier one in Minnesota and North Dakota,” Marsh said.
This year, though, there is a slash of horror and sci-fi included on the bill, as well.
Included on the Oct. 12 bill, will be longtime stuntman Kane Hodder, who is famously known as Jason from the Friday the 13th movie series and Danielle Harris, who was the main target of Michael Myers in Halloween 4 and 5.
But the variety doesn’t end there, as Rick McCallum will be in attendance, who is known as the film producer who worked on The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, as well as the Star Wars prequel series.
“We wanted to build an event not focused 100-percent on the paranormal,” Marsh included. “We wanted to reach out to another demographic of audience.”
But the Oct. 12-13 convention will have some of the biggest names in paranormal, as well.
Returning from the first convention will be Ghost Hunter International investigator Kris Williams, who is also bringing along fellow teammate Amy Bruni.
Famous demonologist and the star of SyFy’s Haunted Collector John Zaffis will be on hand, along with family and cast members Chris and Aimee Zaffis Oct. 13.
Famed Ghost Hunters pair Steve Gonsalvas and Dave Tango will conclude the convention Saturday evening.
Also on hand will be SyFy Destination Truth host and adventurer Josh Gates, along with producer Rex Williams.
Making a return will be UFO Proof Positive host Stanton Friedman, along with psychics Chip Coffey and Lisa Phillips.
Kicking off the convention will be local paranormal research group, the Midwest Paranormal Files, which presented their case local investigation of the old Pine Point School at last year’s event.
The date has changed to earlier in the month of October to capture that Halloween ambience.
“We wanted it before Halloween, simply to build on that mystique,” Marsh said. “Last year, we were very surprised with the turnout, so we lined up more talent to hopefully attract more people to the event.”
 
All the presenters will have booths for the public to meet, along with vendors, set up at the convention center, as well.
Tickets go on sale Sept. 10. A two-day pass will cost $60, which is general admission.
 
CONVENTION SCHEDULE
Friday Oct. 12
                                    Presentation                                                                       
                  11:30am
                  Midwest Paranormal Files (Detroit Lakes)
                  1:00pm
                  Stanton Friedman -UFO Proof Positive
                  2:30pm
                  John Zaffis (Demonology)
4:00pm
Lisa Philips Reading ($30)
5:00pm
Hollywood Ghost Hunters
                  Kane Hodder/ Jason from “Friday the 13th “
                  Danielle Harris/ the “Halloween” series
                  Rick McCallhum
6:30pm
                  Destination Truth
                  Josh Gates
                  Rex Williams
 
Sat. Oct. 13
                  12:00noon
                  Chip Coffey Reading ($50)
                  2:00pm
                  Haunted Collector
                  John Zaffis
                  Chris Zaffis
                  Aimee Zaffis
                  3:30pm
                  Ghost Hunters/Ghost Hunters International
                  Amy Bruni
                  Kris Williams
                  5:00pm
                  Chip Coffey Reading ($50)
                  6:30pm
                  Ghost Hunters/Ghost Hunters Academy
                  Steve Gonsalvas
                  Dave Tango
 
 
 
 
 
2012 Convention prices ( On Sale Sept. 10)
 
2 Day Pass                                                                                          $60 (1200 General Admission)
Sat. Oct. 13 12:00noon Chip Coffey Readings                  $50 (50 General Admission)
Sat. Oct. 13 5:00pm       Chip Coffey Readings                  $50 (50 General Admission)
Fri. Oct. 12                                     Lisa Philips Reading                  $30 (50 General Admission)
Convention Booth                                                                        $100
Free Booth Space for Presenters