Even though Massachusetts is currently suffering through a three-day heatwave, we can already smell the delights of autumn in the air. Pumpkin products are already back at your local Dunkin’ Donuts, leaves are starting to slowly turn and fall off the trees, and, sure enough, every CVS in the state already has their Halloween merchandise out for you to look at longingly while stocking up on bottles of fresh water. Well, add this latest news about Salem Horror Fest to the list of things making it hard for us to endure these last few weeks of summer: The new Halloween will open the festival on October 4, after Blumhouse Director of Development Ryan Turek delivers the Festival’s keynote address.
In case you’re curious, this is a full two weeks before David Gordon Green’s sequel to John Carpenter’s classic gets its wide theatrical release, so all of your friends will be super jealous and think you’re the coolest dude on the block when you’re able to gush to them about how insane this film is. You also won’t have to wait in a “first-come, first-served” line — it’s a ticketed event, so you’re guaranteed a seat if you buy your tickets ahead of time — and anybody who has ever won a pass from a radio station knows how much of a godsend that is.
While you’re at it, you should stick around for the rest of the festival, which contains repertoire screenings of excellent films like Suspiria, Return of the Living Dead, Death Becomes Her, Tremors, My Bloody Valentine, and more. Horror icons like Cassandra “Elvira” Peterson (who is celebrating the 30th anniversary of Elvira: Mistress of the Dark with a screening), Linnea Quigley, Kane Hodder and George C. Romera will also be in attendance. There are a number of other new releases as well, like Monster Squad doc Wolfman’s Got Nards, Blood Fest and Scary Stories, and plenty of live podcast recordings and other great events for you to attend and meet other like-minded horror fans from our great state. And, apparently, there are still more announcements to come, so stay tuned for more information.
SALEM HORROR FEST :: October 4 to 8 and 12 to 16 at various theaters in Salem, MA :: Various times, $13 for a single screening, $100 for a weekend pass, all ages :: Tickets available at the Festival event page