LETTING THE GHOUL TIMES ROLL WITH COFOH CO-FOUNDERS BRET SMITH & SMURF BY KRYSTI JOMÉI Colorado Festival of Horror returns for their fourth year, fittingly kicking off the 3-day convention of terror in September on Friday the 13th … ki ki ki, ma ma ma … Bigger, bolder and bloodier than ever before, this independent, volunteered, artist-run fest is bringing in the big guns (or maybe, machetes?) when it comes to their 2024 headlining special guests. Her first-ever Colorado con, Pam Grier ( Jackie Brown, Escape from L.A., Mars Attacks!, Bones) will grace the stage for a Q&A, autographs and photo ops. And it doesn’t stop there. Fans will also get to meet Scream Queen Tiffany Shepis (Tromeo and Juliet, Star Trek: Picard), Alexandra Essoe (Doctor Sleep, Midnight Mass), Annabeth Gish (The Haunting of Hill House, Midnight Mass), and a wicked Friday the 13th crew — Adrienne King, Amy Steel, Thom Mathews, Tom No. 129 McLoughlin, and Vincente DiSanti — along with a slew of other horror actors, eerie artists, harrowing writers and chilling vendors. Attendees will also have a chance to attend numerous panels and workshops, a short film festival, costume and tattoo competitions, trivia and karaoke, and more, all the while sipping on a pint of Killr™ Brew or a glass of Stabernet. Born out of a mutual love of horror, Co-Founders Bret Smith, Daniel “Smurf” Sharner, Jeanni Smith and Daniel Crosier wanted to make a festival embracing the genre and celebrating all of its different artistic styles and realms, while creating well-needed community. We caught up with Bret and Smurf to talk about this year’s fest and why they fright for the right to party for horror fans of all ages in Colorado. ART BY WM. RANDAL PAINTER
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