You know, it is always energizing attending a first year event. Being part of the birth of something new, feeling the excitement of a fresh hunting ground, as well as seeing the scaffolding being set up for the growth of an event that will likely thrive for years to come, is always a sight to behold. . . and that was certainly the case with Nepean’s first ever Horror-Fi, hosted at the Nepean Sportsplex on June 13th and 14th, 2026.
Brought to vivid life by Geeked Out’s Shannon and Patrick O’Neill, they’ve certainly done their research, as this thriving new convention is focused on all things within the realm of horror and science fiction. . . and it noticeably already had the vibe of a well seasoned and orchestrated event.
Large enough to have all the bells and whistles, yet intimate enough not to lose the charm of a nice weekend (something special guest Julian Richings mentioned – noting that “the crowds were steady, but there was still plenty of time to chat with fans”, there were countless things to draw your attention – be it the numerous eclectic vendors, the intriguing celebrities who most definitely fit the bill for the theme, or a plethora of other things that drew your eye in.
When it came to finding those missing pieces, hidden gems, and original finds, there were no shortage of options, from vintage toys and the resurgence of the collectible market of the old school VHS, to two dealers selling movie posters (one of which focused on the vintage – Rolled & Folded Movie Posters; while the other opened the door to more modern silk screen style cinematic advertisement – Dave Stafford Design), as well as countless Funko Pops, and everything in between.
There was even original artwork by SodjArt – who was offering the opportunity to purchase both prints or one of one original pieces of art (take a look at the photo to your right to get a view of his dynamic booth). A simple online search will take you to any of these above mentioned vendors and their social media accounts, or feel free to search Geeked Out’s Horror-Fi page to explore more of the exciting options that were available over the weekend: https://www.geekedoutevents.ca/horror-fi.html
Then, there were the celebrities. . . of vital importance to every convention. Targeting one of the largest television fan bases out there, it was extremely exciting to see three of the memorable players from the fifteen season long sci-fi/horror dramatic fantasy Supernatural. A dream for fans of the show, not only did people attending have the opportunity to spend some time with Death himself, Julian Richings, Prophet Kevin Tran (played by Osric Chau), and fan favourite vampire Benny Lafitte (Ty Olsson), but they could also get a photo with a 1967 Chevy Impala that resembled the iconic black car from the series.
With plenty of other options for attendees, the great Lisa Wilcox (see right) was also in attendance. Vividly remembered from both A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master and A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child, it was nothing but a dream meeting her – in fact, many fans went to buy original posters of her films at Rolled & Folded to get her to sign an extra special memento. The ever expanding list also included Star Trek: Discovery’s Michael Chan, writer/director Brett Kelly (Ouija Shark; My Fair Zombie), as well as artists Ronn Sutton (Elvira, Mistress of the Dark) and Janet Hetherington (also Elvira, Mistress of the Dark).
A rip-roaring first time adventure, Horror-Fi is one to most definitely add to your list of future ventures. . . as there is no doubt that it is destined for a sequel. With the celebrity guests more than pleased, the vendors glowing about the event, and countless fans streaming in to explore the venue, it was a big win for all those who love both horror and sci-fi.
In many ways, it felt fitting that Olsson, who grew up in Ottawa, used the word “nostalgic” to describe both being back in the city and about the weekend – as this pairing of a new event with many old school themes certainly brought forth a bit of nostalgia. Likewise, Wilcox couldn’t stop gushing, speaking of the little details that made the whole weekend a winner – including Shannon’s inquiries to make sure she got the right type of coffee/tea, as well as the special treats made for the celebrity guests – which she ran to the back room to grab and show me (take a look)! I must also note that Chau couldn’t believe how big the horror community was in Ottawa, while also noting that the day felt “very Canadian”. So, make note of Horror-Fi, it was a ‘supernaturally’ enthralling event that will likely be haunting the area again in the not so distant future.