This past weekend paranormal enthusiasts gathered at the Biltmore Millennium Hotel in Downtown LA for the So Cal Para-Con. The hotel is reputedly home to a few of its own ghosts and served as a filming location for the popular Ghostbusters film.
The two day event featured presentations on a variety of paranormal subjects including a psychometry demonstration from psychic Mark Nelson, a preview of the upcoming new season of Biography’s Channel’s hit series, My Ghost Story, a magic show at the Magic Castle from Aron Houdini, and a lecture from famed parapsychologist, Loyd Auerbach examining the influences of paranormal TV shows.
Para-Con finished the event in grand style with a sideshow cocktail hour and Carnivale Of The Dead Costume Ball.
-
- Roving characters entertained guests during the Sideshow Cocktail Hour.
-
- The latest in high tech paranormal investigation equipment was displayed, demonstrated and available for purchase.
-
- Ghost Hunters Of Urban Los Angeles President, Richard Carradine, signed copies of his book The Park After Dark.
-
- An array of Dia De Los Muertos merchandise was a hit with shoppers in the vendor area.
-
- David Dosset and Matthew Goldman of Team Verify discuss their recent appearance on Paranormal Challenge.
-
- So Cal Para-Con Founder, Jessica Johnson, gives us a sneak peak of what’s to come at the costume ball.
-
- Madame Pamita – Queen of the Carnival Sideshow Fortune Tellers, does tarot card demonstrations
-
- BSD Studios showcased a variety of engraved leather pieces.
-
- Parapsychologist Loyd Auerbach gave attendees a taste of his new venture, Haunted By Chocolate.
-
- Sideshow and carnivale inspired décor was a highlight of Para-Con.
-
- Brandon Alvis, creator of Haunted Discoveries and Founder of American Paranormal Research Association, checks out a 1940’s Giger counter.
-
- A Pony awaiting his rider.
-
- SpookedTV’s Donn Shy, sharing a laugh with medium Michael Parry.
-
- Preparations for the Carnivale Of The Dead are underway.
-
- Costume ball attendees .
-
- A scarecrow on stilts made his way around the ball.
-
- Cracker Jacks? No, thank you.
As it so often happens, the chance to capture an actual ghost on film was just missed. While chatting with Steve Troop, the designer and artist of Para-Con’s tee shirts, as he was kindly passing out glasses of water to some of the vendors, he went back to retrieve one for himself. Just as he reached the table he rushed back and whispered, “Look, I think I see a ghost!” Of course, by the time I looked up it was gone. He described a woman in long skirts with her hair pulled back in a bun, leaning over the table as if she too was about to pour water from the pitcher. Perhaps the Black Dahlia has company.
