Barney Smith 4/23/26 Barney Smith 4/23/26

Don’t Let Your Friends Go Without You: Vermont’s Sci-Fi, Fantasy & Horror Expo Returns

The 7th annual Vermont Sci-Fi, Fantasy & Horror Expo returns to the Champlain Valley Exposition in Essex Junction on Saturday–Sunday, April 25–26, 2026, and it’s shaping up to be the kind of event you don’t just “drop by.” You plan around it. Because once you’re inside, you start realizing how big it is, how much there is to do, and how quickly the weekend fills up.

If you’ve ever seen someone’s convention photos afterward—kids grinning in Jedi robes, a parent holding a freshly signed poster, a group of friends who clearly had the best weekend—and thought, Wait… that was in Vermont?—this is your heads-up.

By Joshua Smith

Jeff Folb—owner and general manager of Vermont Gatherings, the team behind the Expo—calls it Vermont’s own version of a Comic-Con experience, “our local Comic-Con, without calling it a Comic-Con.” And that’s not just a fun line—it’s a pretty accurate description of what the Expo has become. It began as a Vermont Sci-Fi & Fantasy event, and Folb says “a couple years ago we added horror,” then “officially unofficially added paranormal and pop culture.” In other words: it’s not one niche. It’s a whole universe of niches—under one roof, for one weekend.

Three buildings. One problem: you can’t do it all.

The most important thing first-timers don’t understand is scale. This Expo isn’t a single hall with a handful of tables. Folb says the event runs across “three attached buildings,” covering “about 80,000 square feet.” That layout is part of the fun: you can bounce from sci-fi to fantasy to paranormal to hands-on workshops to gaming—without ever feeling like you’ve “seen it all.”

And yes, you can do it in one day—technically. But Folb puts it plainly: “You could certainly get through the show in a day, but if you really want to… experience it—meet guests, get autographs, go to panels, do gaming—“you could certainly very easily stretch that out into two days.” Translation: if you only come for one day, you’ll probably spend the next week saying, Next year we’re doing both.

What’s on the floor? Pretty much everything.

So what is it, exactly? Folb describes it as an expo “featuring all kinds of guests” and “almost any medium you can think of” within sci-fi, fantasy, horror, paranormal, and pop culture.

This year’s guest lineup includes Bruce Boxleitner and Claudia Christian from Babylon 5 (Folb notes Boxleitner was also in Tron), plus Adam Berry from Ghost Hunters and Kindred Spirits, and Brett Wagner, known for portraying Leatherface.

But guests are only one piece of the weekend. Folb says there are “over 150 authors and artists, comic creators, game designers… cosplayers… crafters… vendors, gaming panels.” If you like browsing, you’ll be in heaven: art for your walls, handmade fandom merch, costume pieces, props, jewelry, books, comics, and the kind of “I didn’t know this existed” stuff you only find at conventions.

He also breaks down how the buildings feel different. One area is “a little more horror focused and paranormal focus,” while another includes what he calls the “old Star Wars section,” with costuming groups and Star Wars-themed vendors. It’s the kind of variety that lets different members of a family or friend group split up—and still all come back excited.

The experiences people remember

Beyond shopping and autographs, this Expo leans hard into things you can do.

There’s a dedicated building for “panel rooms, food and beverage and gaming,” with scheduled and pickup games “all day, both days,” including role-playing, board games, and more. Folb says you can expect “10 or 12 panels and workshops a day,” ranging from paranormal topics to creative sessions like “how to create a comic book… how to create a character… how to get published.”

There’s also a professional photo setup with scheduled sessions for guests—and Folb notes attendees can book photos in costume, too.

“Horror” doesn’t mean “not for kids”

If you’re a parent reading the event name and hesitating at the word horror, Folb is clear about the tone: “All of our shows… are family friendly and family focused,” and even when a guest is known for scarier roles, the Expo doesn’t cross the line into adult-only content.

Costumes are encouraged, but not required—Folb estimates “probably 40 or so percent” of attendees show up in some form of costume. And there’s a built-in incentive: the Expo gives out “awards and prizes for costumes” throughout both days. So whether your kid has a full superhero outfit or you’re rocking a last-minute wizard cape, you’re part of the fun.

The “FOMO” truth: this is the weekend people talk about afterward

Folb says the bigger mission is creating events where “you can bring the grandparents and the grandkids and everyone in between, and everyone’s gonna have a great time.” That’s what makes this Expo different: it’s not designed for just one age group. It’s built so nobody’s bored—because there’s always another building, another panel, another game, another photo op, another aisle you haven’t explored yet.

Or, as Folb sums it up: “It’s an event… an experience for everyone.”

*Jeff Folb is the Owner and General Manager of Vermont Gatherings - Courtesy Photo*

Barney Smith 10/23/25 Barney Smith 10/23/25

Who Ya Gonna Call? Vermont’s 802 Ghostbusters Bring Heart, Humor, and Help to Communities

October is their biggest month. “Almost every weekend, we’ve got something,” Stasia said. “Parades, trunk-or-treats, conventions — we call it Hauntober.”

The Ecto JK-1 is fully decked out all season long as they string together events across the state. Later in the season, the group will appear in Casella’s Lights Parade, followed by a special basket raffle fundraiser at Old Town Café and Comics on November 14th, from 3:00 p.m. to early evening.

By Joshua Smith

*The Team at Rail City Fan Fest 2024 posing with their ECTO JK1 (Courtesy Photo*)

“I’d seen fan groups all across the country doing parades, Make-A-Wish events, and fundraisers. It looked like so much fun — and I thought, we could do that too.”
— Stasia D., Co-founder, 802 Ghostbusters

A Nostalgic Spark That Became a Movement
If you were walking through a fall festival, trunk-or-treat, or a downtown parade in Vermont and suddenly heard the unmistakable wail of a Ghostbusters siren, chances are you’ve encountered the 802 Ghostbusters.

They’re not actors or a traveling show. They’re Vermonters — parents, makers, neighbors — who’ve turned their love of Ghostbusters into a powerful community-building force.

The group began in 2016, when Stasia and Stef D., along with their family, decided to join the growing ranks of Ghostbusters fan “franchises” springing up across the country. What started as a fun family project soon grew into a statewide group with members stretching throughout almost all 14 counties, each bringing their own talents — from prop building to event planning to interacting with kids and families.

Community First, Cosplay Second
When the 802 Ghostbusters show up, they bring more than just proton packs. Their appearances at touch-a-truck events, trunk-or-treats, and local parades are free for communities — powered by their volunteer energy and the magic of their Ecto JK-1, a Jeep Wrangler transformed into a rolling nostalgia machine.

The Ecto JK-1 was built by member Mathew Haley, lovingly nicknamed “our Egon” for his technical know-how.

“It’s an easy, free way to connect,” Stasia said. “Kids climb in, push the buttons, sound the siren — and adults light up too. You can always tell when a parent has that moment of recognition, like, ‘Okay, it’s time for you to watch Ghostbusters.’ It becomes this pop culture capstone between generations.”

Ghostbusters Give Back
This year, the 802 Ghostbusters joined the Ghostbusters Gives Back Initiative, a national partnership between fan groups, Sony, and the Starlight Children’s Foundation.

The initiative runs June 8, 2025 through June 7, 2026, and every dollar raised by registered franchises is matched by Sony — up to $150,000 nationwide — doubling the impact for hospitalized children and their families.

Funds support entertainment, events, and hospital programs that bring comfort during difficult times.

“We set a fundraising goal along with other franchises across the country,” Stasia said. “On June 8th — Ghostbusters Day — we’ll check in to see how we did.”

June 8th, of course, marks the original release date of the 1984 film. Some dates are sacred.

The Busy Season: “Hauntober”
October is their biggest month. “Almost every weekend, we’ve got something,” Stasia said. “Parades, trunk-or-treats, conventions — we call it Hauntober.”

The Ecto JK-1 is fully decked out all season long as they string together events across the state. Later in the season, the group will appear in Casella’s Lights Parade, followed by a special basket raffle fundraiser at Old Town Café and Comics on November 14th, from 3:00 p.m. to early evening.

The Ecto JK-1 and a giant Stay Puft Marshmallow Man will be on-site, and all proceeds will benefit the Starlight Children’s Foundation.

After November, things quiet down — but their sense of purpose never does.

Vermont Heart in a Proton Pack
In a world where cosplay can sometimes be competitive or celebrity-driven, the 802 Ghostbusters stand out. They’re Vermonters bringing nostalgia, joy, and service to their neighbors.

They show up at the same parades your kids march in, park next to you at the grocery store, and hand out smiles at no cost. Their focus isn’t on fame — it’s on connection.

“Little kids don’t always get the reference, but they know we’ve got cool things to look at,” Stasia said. “Adults love it. It’s a conversation starter — and that’s what makes it special.”

Join the 802 Ghostbusters This Halloween Season!

Follow the siren to an event near you. The 802 Ghostbusters will be appearing at parades, trunk-or-treats, and fundraisers every weekend in October, bringing spooky fun and raising money for the Starlight Children’s Foundation.

Want to help or get involved?

Love Ghostbusters?

Enjoy community events and volunteering?

Want to make kids (and grown-ups) smile?

The 802 Ghostbusters welcome new members from all across Vermont. Whether you’re a prop builder, a people person, or just someone who loves spooky season, there’s a place for you.

Follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/802Ghostbusters for upcoming appearances and info on how to join the team.

This Halloween season, let a little movie magic — and a lot of Vermont heart — remind you that our communities shine brightest when we come together.

The Last Word
Seeing Ghostbusters gear against a Vermont backdrop shouldn’t work — and yet, it absolutely does. Vermonters have always known how to blend work ethic with whimsy, and the 802 Ghostbusters prove that community service can wear a proton pack.

This Hauntober, if you hear that siren echoing through town, don’t just smile — follow it. You might find yourself in the middle of something special… and maybe even holding a proton pack of your own.