The haunting triple-digit temperatures in the Inland Empire won’t be the only thing scaring the locals this summer.
Creep I.E. Aftermath, a multi-day horror and pop-culture event and the annual, larger-scale “sequel” event to February’s sold-out Creep I.E. Con, is headed to the Ontario Convention Center July 10-12, moving from its usual September slot.
“We’re known for our celebrity guests and our reunions,” said Brian Boget, executive director/producer of Creep I.E. Aftermath and Creep I.E. Con, in a phone interview. “We’re very excited to bring Brad Dourif from the cast of the ‘Child’s Play’ franchise for the first time at a California fan convention. The celebrity guest lineup is insane.”
In addition to the wicked celebrity lineup fans can pose and take photos with, the event will also feature a haunt inside one of the convention rooms, horror-themed foods, a car show, over 200 vendors made up of artists and independent creators, and, for the first time, a video section for collectors looking to pick up horror favorites. There will also be a special limited-edition Fangoria magazine with Chucky from “Child’s Play” on the cover, only available at Creep I.E. Aftermath.
“We brought Creep I.E. to the Inland Empire so that everybody here has their own special fan convention,” Boget said. “It’s every bit as good quality and celebrity-wise as anywhere else you’re going to find in California. So we just put on this event to have a great time. It gets spooky in the summer. There’s a lot of great cosplay and great vibes and a lot to do, so much that you need more than one day.”
Here are 10 things you won’t want to miss at this year’s Creep I.E. Aftermath.
Addam’s Family Reunion
Get ready to snap your fingers to some catchy but spooky tunes at the Addams Family Reunion featuring Christina Ricci, Christopher Lloyd, Jimmy Workman, and Carel Struycken. Bloody Disgusting will host the Q&A panel.
“The ‘Addams Family’ is so iconic, and a fun horror film of the ’90s,” Boget said. “The stars Ricci and Lloyd are legends. It’s actually funny with Lloyd, because he’s been in so many amazing movies that he has cast members from four different movies appearing (at Creep, I. E. Aftermath). He’s in the cast of ‘The Addams Family,’ ‘Back to the Future,’ One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,’ and ‘Who Framed Rodger Rabbit.’
Creep I.E. Cinema Child’s Play Reunion
In a separate ticketed event, “Child’s Play” fans can sit in on a Q&A panel hosted by Bloody Disgusting featuring Brad Dourif, Fiona Dourif and Alex Vincent. There will be a screening of the 1988 film, along with prizes and giveaways, at the event.
Back to the Future Reunion
Great Scott! The cast of “Back to the Future” will reunite in the present, including Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Claudia Wells, and Charles Fleischer. Separate tickets are required for autographs and photos.
Scary Movie Reunion
While “Scary Movie 6” is in theaters, you can catch some of the cast from the previous films, including Toir Fletching, Lochlyn Munro, Jon Abrahams and Simon Rex. Separate tickets are required for meet and greets.
Fear Farm
The Southern California-based haunt company will return, and although they haven’t announced the convention’s theme yet, fans can expect a good scare. Fear Farm has put on several themed haunts, including those based on carnivals, aliens and cornfields.
“Fear Farm does an amazing job,” Boget said. “They take over one of the breakout rooms inside the convention center, and it’s a different theme each show. At the last show, everybody was glowing in the dark. Everybody loves it, and so they’re at all our events. They’re our official haunt of Creepy I.E.”
Art’s Sideshow
Another haunt-like experience at Creep I.E. Aftermath is Art’s Sideshow, where Boget says attendees are immersed in another breakout room. They have a chance to pose for photos with movie props and to include some actors and cosplayers in the experience for horror-filled memories.
Comics and Vinyl
Whether you’re looking for horror comics such as “Something is Killing the Children,” Spawn,” or Alan Moore’s “Saga of the Swamp Thing,” or just looking for some pop-culture crossovers with Marvel or DC Comics, chances are you’ll find them at Creep I.E. Aftermath. There is also a vinyl shop where you can pick up heavy metal and punk rock records from Ozzy Osbourne to the Misfits.
Horror Videos
For the first time, Creep I.E. is hosting a video store for horror fans and collectors. This year, the convention partnered with D.I.N.C. Video, a VHS dealer that sells tapes and curates themed retro photo shoots. Attendees can expect some classics, rarities and movie posters hung up around the room, along with cool photo-op opportunities.
“In the horror world, physical media is highly collectible, and people love it,” Boget said. “I personally collect physical media. Everybody’s streaming movies nowadays, but a lot of us collectors are going back to VHS, and some horror VHS tapes are worth a fortune. It’s a great place for collectors to go and get physical media.
Route 66 Cruisin’ Reunion Mini Car Show
One of California’s largest car shows and a local car staple is the Route 66 Cruisin’ Reunion. The event normally takes over the city for two days, but before its September date this year, the car show is coming to Creep I.E. Aftermath. Cruisin’ Reunion will showcase a mini show featuring 12-20 classic cars, along with the replica car from Cheech and Chong’s “Up in Smoke” and the DeLorean from “Back to the Future.”
Creepy Cravings
The event will host several food trucks, including some serving horror-inspired bites. Wicked Tacos, known for their monster mash burritos and Franken fries, along with their Paranormal Pepino, Strawberries and Scream, Haunted Hibiscus refreshers, will return to the con. Keeping up with this year’s “Child’s Play” theme, Camarones Picositos El Chucky, a Chucky-themed food truck, will be serving specialty seafood.
Creep I.E. Aftermath
When: 5-10 p.m. Friday, July 10; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, July 11; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, July 12.
Where: Ontario Convention Center, 2000 E. Convention Center Way, Ontario.
Tickets: $37.03-$71.45 at creepiecon.com.