Days Of The Dead Louisville, The Best Day Of My Life
By Billy Cripps
Days Of The Dead Louisville might be over for this year, but the memories will always remain. If you couldn’t make it this year, you better save up for next year.
I never wanted my day at Days Of The Dead to end.
Even as I walked through the door of the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky with a lifelong friend and fellow resident of 1428 Elm, it still felt like a vivid dream. There just seemed to be this amazingly special feeling in the air. My arms began to tingle as we came closer to the rooms the vendors and celebrities were set up in. The ominous music that might have frightened other people was like music to my ears.
MEETING FELISSA ROSE
We had a couple of hours to kill before the panels we needed to attend would begin. So naturally, we headed to the vendors and celebrity rooms. The vendors were selling everything imaginable. There were horror T-shirts and collectibles galore. I ended up purchasing 3 Funko Pop figures (Deadpool, Ghostface, and Pennywise), a Ghostface figure, and a Bray Wyatt Elite action figure.
Felissa Rose at DOTD (Photo from Billy Cripps/personal collection)
Then it was time to meet a few of the celebrities. I made a bee-line to Felissa Rose, as the first Sleepaway Camp was not only historic, but one of my favorite movies. She couldn’t have been any nicer and was extremely funny.
I felt more like a friend than I did a fan. I purchased a mini Sleepaway Camp poster from her, for her to sign. Next, the waking dream got even more intense as I met one-half of the most intense wrestling tag teams, Road Warrior Animal. I even held one of the tag team belts.
CHECKING OUT THE PANELS
It was time to head upstairs for some panels. The Indie filmmakers panel was very informative for people who are interested in the things you don’t see on the screen. My question took up all of the Q&A time.
Then it was time for The Ladies Of Elm Street panel. Seeing Heather Langenkamp, Amanda Wyss, Lisa Wilcox, and Brooke Theiss there on stage was surreal. I thought I was dreaming and Freddy was about to end my life. Hearing their stories of a side of Wes Craven we never knew about almost brought a tear to my eye.
Related Story: 'Death House': Just the Beginning of Six Film Series
After this, the highly anticipated panel and world premiere trailer for Death House was upon us. I will have more on Death House later.
PARTY IN THE ELEVATOR
The highlight of my day, or perhaps my life thus far, came after the Death House panel. I was in the elevator about to head back to the vendors and celebrity rooms. Before the elevator closed I heard a voice telling me to hold the elevator.
I have no shame in admitting I almost had a heart attack when I realized who it was coming to the elevator. Two of my favorite actors in the horror industry, Bill Moseley and Sid Haig! That’s right residents of Elm Street, at Days Of The Dead, I shared an elevator with Otis and Captain Spaulding in the flesh! It was everything I could do not to turn into a raving fanboy.
Days Of The Dead made me feel like not so much of an outsider. Being around so many people with the same passion for the genre as me was a euphoric experience. We’re all one big horror family.
Next: The Ladies of Elm Street Are Lovely in DOTD Panel
Days Of The Dead Louisville has just ended, and I’m already looking forward to next year, which promises to be bigger and better if that is even possible. I can only hope I get the chance to cover the madness for all of you residents of Elm Street next year. Check out our new Youtube channel for some videos of the panels. Fair warning though, some of the content may be Not Safe For Work.