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Ghouls and ghosts gather for fall Sci-Fi Valley Con

4 min read

Inviting guests from cult classics such as "Grimm," "Halloweentown" and "Gotham," Sci-Fi Valley Convention expects to host one of its most horror-focused events yet.

"It's a great experience to experience arts and culture," convention promoter and owner Casey Bassett said.

From Oct. 16-18, celebrity guests are slated to visit the Blair County Convention Center, speak on designated panels, take photos, sign autographs and meet local fans.

Bassett said updates are being integrated into this season's convention, including a user-friendly app called "Sci-Fi Valley Con" that keeps the show schedule, floor map and event guide at guests' fingertips.

With last-minute schedule changes and wasted paper products, the app lets administrators update visitors in real time with accurate information, he said.

"This is the first year we have an app that people can go to," he said. "We want to stop paper programs, and this app is great."

Guests can download the app through their website: https://app.scifivalleycon.com

They also recently implemented a strict anti-artificial intelligence policy at their most recent summer convention, he said. The ban includes AI art featured on merchandise sold at participating vendors and Meta Glasses worn by guests.

"With the rise of AI, the most valuable thing is authenticity," he said. "People will seek human-created work, and it'll be harder to come by. The market is flooded with AI art."

Bassett has informed incoming vendors about the convention's AI policy and has been vocal about his stance on social media. If guests see vendors using AI art at their table, they're encouraged to report those stands through the convention's new app.

About 200 vendors will line the walls of the Blair County Convention Center, he said, fewer than usual because of 17 celebrity guests from five different television and movie reunions. Major reunions include: "Grimm"; "Halloweentown"; "Gotham"; "Under the Dome" and "Obsession."

While "Halloweentown" premiered on Disney Channel almost 30 years ago, Bassett believes those celebrities will be the busiest at Sci-Fi Valley Con. Celebrity guests that weekend include Kimberly J. Brown (Marnie Piper) and Judith Hoag (Gwen Piper) from "Halloweentown" and Daniel Kountz (Kai) from "Halloweentown II."

"It's still extremely popular regardless of it being a made-for-TV movie," he said.

The newest reunion invited to this season's convention is two cast members from the 2025 horror movie "Obsession," which was released in May 2026 in United States theaters. The film became the 10th highest-grossing film of 2026.

Haley Fitzgerald (Viola) and Malcolm Kelner (the bartender) from "Obsession" will be joining the convention lineup. While the bartender isn't a main cast member, Bassett said he has a large social media following from his "small" role.

"He's hysterical," Bassett said. "He's made a bit about his career talking about this nothing part, and he got really popular on Instagram and TikTok."

Sci-Fi Valley Con will be Kelner's first convention after landing his role on "Obsession," he said. Fans have messaged him online and expressed their excitement to meet Kelner.

"I think it's a great opportunity for people to be able to connect with entertainers involved with making some of their favorite films," he said.

He said meeting people in person is a "lost art," as communicating online with people both near and far has become the new normal. And conventions like Sci-Fi Valley Con can break that mold.

"It's a nice throwback to an era where people connect more in person, and I'm really excited for that," he said.

If you go

What: Sci-Fi Valley Convention

When: 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 16; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 17; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 18

Where: Blair County Convention Center

Tickets: Preorder adult tickets (ends Oct. 14):

■ 1-day pass: $35 (Friday or Sunday)

■ 1-day pass: $40 (Saturday)

■ 3-day pass: $45

■ Tickets can be ordered at: https://scifivalleycon.com/tickets

Adult tickets at the door:

■ 1-day pass: $40

(Friday or Sunday)

■ 1-day pass: $45 (Saturday)

■ 3-day pass: $50

Children's tickets

(ages 6 to 12):

■ 1-day pass: $10 (Friday,

Saturday or Sunday)

■ 3-day pass: $20

Starting at /week.