The Crawfordsville Paranormal Convention is returning Oct. 24-25 for its third year. As the convention has grown each year, organizers are moving to a larger venue this year, the Montgomery County 4-H Fairgrounds.
Organized by local authors and paranormal enthusiasts Christopher and Christina Hunt, owners of Legends, Lore and Haunting’s and authors of “Ghosts and Legends of Crawfordsville Indiana,” the convention will run from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at 400 Parke Ave. in Crawfordsville. Admission is free, and most activities are free to the public.
The first two conventions were held at the Armory, but organizers decided to move to the fairgrounds as the event grew.
The convention will have more than 70 vendors with 11 special guests, four live discussion panels and three workshops covering topics including ghosts, cryptids, UFOs and unexplained phenomena.
Featured guests include researcher and author Mike Ricksecker, who has appeared on the History Channel’s “Ancient Aliens” and “The UnXplained,” and Indiana-based television producer, videographer and author Tim R. Swartz, who has also appeared on paranormal television programs.
Other scheduled guests include Joe and Jennifer Shortridge of the 222 Paranormal Podcast, who will discuss their favorite locations and experiences; Rev. Don Lewis, a priest, author and co-founder of WitchSchool.com; and Dr. Kelly Renee Schutz, a paranormal author and host-producer of “Disembodied Voices.”
Additional participants include Bigfoot researcher Aaron McAtee, paranormal investigator Chief Lawson, “Tinfoil Tales” podcast host Brandon Wright, and representatives of Indiana MUFON and the Indiana Bigfoot Research Organization.
There will also be a silent auction, door prizes and contest prizes. There are also multiple food trucks set to be at the convention.
Kid-friendly activities include face painting, balloon art, a caricature artist, a pop-up haunted house and a slime bar. Organizers also plan to have a DJ play Halloween-themed music throughout the event, and vendors will hand out candy.
A costume contest will take place at 6 p.m. Oct. 25, with sign-ups beginning at 5:30 p.m. A paranormal tattoo contest is also planned.
The convention will include after-hours events Oct. 24, though the start time has not yet been determined. Additional events are also planned for the afternoon and evening of Oct. 23.
Hunt said the goal is to create an event that is fun, educational and welcoming to everyone, from dedicated paranormal enthusiasts to families looking for a different Halloween-season outing.
