When Flashback Weekend reconvened in 2021, the number of contestants in its annual costume contest surged. I understood with all the extra time some folks had in lockdown why that year went nuts, but there’s been no letup in the two years that’s followed. In fact, the 2023 event had so many adult contestants they couldn’t fit everyone on stage for judging. In the end, three separate groups were judged before a fourth round would be dedicated to the finalists.
The second day of Flashback Weekend began before the convention doors opened, with my friends, Don and Bunny, waiting for me downstairs to discuss the previous day. While heading towards the elevators, a group of people wearing Svengoolie shirts began yelling at me from the opposite end of the hotel; seeing my own Sven shirt as a beacon of camaraderie. The most vocal of them was a tall, tattooed redhead who goes by the handle “Catbat.” This group was none other than Svengoolie’s faithful blog commentators; fans who transform his weekly posts into their own communications platform. Although I had no idea what they looked like in real life, I was quite familiar with their Saturday morning banter.
For the second time in about as many weeks, I headed up to the Hyatt Regency in Rosemont, Illinois for a convention. Whereas the previously covered G-FEST was a family affair, however, Flashback Weekend for me is all about friends and celebrating our mutual love of horror films and/or MeTV’s national horror host (and Flashback Weekend regular), Svengoolie. This year was even more momentous as it would feature my other favorite host, Shudder TV’s Joe Bob Briggs from The Last Drive-in show. This team-up alone sent my anticipation levels soaring while making the protracted journey to Flashback (courtesy of Illinois road construction) akin to torture.
Sunday at G-FEST 28 began with a debate on the much-maligned American Tri-Star Godzilla (1998). So prolific is this dispute among G fans that I covered a panel just like it about five years ago. This one featured moderators who were for and against the film and one split down the middle. I will say, the man defending the movie, Scrooge Jones, made this discussion really stand out. I first saw Jones walking around the dealer room shortly after we arrived and he’s not the kind of person you’re apt to forget. With ’80s rockstar hair, gold-tinted sunglasses, and a leopard print shirt unbuttoned down to his navel, he looked like a cross between Sammy Hagar and Kraven the Hunter. That being said, I can’t help but admire the guy. He’s 100% comfortable with who he is without giving a hoot whether you agree with him or if you’re snickering behind his back. This was never more apparent than last year when he apparently announced at a Godzilla vs King Kong (2021) G-FEST panel that the 1998 Godzilla film was better than Legendary’s 2014 Godzilla. It caused quite a stir on YouTube and, considering the kaiju catastrophe that ensued, his appearance at this symposium was the logical next step.
Day Two of G-FEST – We walked back to the Hyatt and indulged in their $25 breakfast buffet. I never minded doing it when I’ve gone Dutch with friends in the past, but that $76 bill was eye-opening. It wasn’t as good as I’d remembered it either and will have to plan better for the upcoming Flashback Weekend (also at the Hyatt). By the time we’d finished, the convention was in full swing and we took our seats in Ballroom A/B for the first panel which was on a YA Godzilla comic book. None of us were particularly interested in this topic but figured it was the best way to secure good seats for the next panel – actress Yumiko Shaku’s Q&A.
Last year’s G-FEST (Godzilla Festival) had the distinction of being the only one I’ve missed in the last twenty years. However, after the event’s two-year Covid hiatus. it almost felt like going again for the very first time. I should mention that although I grew up a Godzilla kid and do enjoy the movies, my sons, Alex and Luke, are the true fans. Their seemingly innate fervor for Japan’s most famous monster is what inspired me to bring them to G-FEST back when they were grade schoolers and now, at ages 25 and 19, their devotion has remained remarkably steadfast. This year, I decided to reassert our G-FEST tradition and spend a family weekend there together, this time as adult fans.
Terror from Beyond the Dave 