Out and About

Carolina Fear Fest scares up some fun in Raleigh

The annual horror convention Carolina Fear Fest is back in Raleigh Memorial Day Weekend.

Posted Updated
Dragula at Carolina Fear Fest
By
Donna Natosi
, WRAL engagement editor
RALEIGH, N.C. — During the long holiday weekend there are a lot of events happening around the Triangle. While it's not what comes to mind when you think of Memorial Day weekend events, Carolina Fear Fest is one of them. It's Raleigh's very first horror movie convention and this year it's at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds. The event launched in 2019 at the Raleigh Convention Center but went on a short hiatus because of the pandemic.

This year's convention has unique vendors, celebrity guests, contests, discussion panels and contests. Often guests will join in the fun with creative and detailed cosplay.

Vendors

Vendors at the convention run the gamut from T-shirts and posters to ornate crafts & jewelry. Most of what you find for sale at this convention isn't something you can find at your local haunt. They are often limited and some are created especially for the convention. And let's not forget the event vendors! Many of the spooky event venues you visit around Halloween are represented throughout the convention with fun props and actors in costume. We're only 156 days away from Halloween, by the way!

Contests, celebrity guests and more

Shopping aside, there is so much else to experience. Live music, performances, magic shows and panel discussions provide entertainment throughout the weekend. Fans usually show up to conventions in costume no matter what, but there's a cosplay contest to show off the best of the best.

There is also a special effects competition judged by industry greats Starr & Dean Jones and Tom Savini. The Kids Show-Off parade is where the kids in cosplay get to take center stage at the convention. Scares that Care holds a popular charity auction during the convention, auctioning off coveted items to benefit families of children impacted by serious illness, burns or women fighting breast cancer.

Schedule:

  • Saturday 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
  • Sunday 12 p.m. until 6 p.m.

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