Summer Fear 2012 – August 4th, Tatamagouche, NS

On August 4th, my friend and I travelled down to Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia to check out Summer Fear 2012 and the cinematic mass murderer Jason Voorhees himself, Kane Hodder. With a few other special guests and some surprises, the event turned out to be a blast. Read on for the full breakdown…

After a two hour drive and some off-roading, which resulted in a few questions on whether the GPS was taking us the wrong way, we finally made it to Tatamagouche, a small town located in Nova Scotia, Canada. This was the second year for Summer Fear; the first year had Gunnar Hansen (Leatherface) as their special guest. After being crushed at finding out I missed that event, I just had to make it this year. It was held at the Grain Elevator Village Feed Mill, a quaint little location which captured a perfect Friday the 13th atmosphere.

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The event started at 1 pm and had a list of things to see and do: short films, horror movies and guest speakers.

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Kane Hodder arrived at 1 pm and promptly setup his signing table and lined out some photos that you could buy ($20) and get signed. Any item you brought with you was signed for free. In fact, if you bought the VIP package (which I did for $40), you got a t-shirt and a Jason Voorhees mask, which Kane signed. After getting a few items autographed, we proceeded to get some photos taken with Kane, where he politely asked us if we wanted to get choked for real. Of course! Who wouldn’t want to get choked by Jason Voorhees (well, besides a Crystal Lake Camp Counsellor). The pictures snapped, and I gasped for air. A great experience indeed!

Some other guests at the event were: Lenore Zann who starred in Happy Birthday to Me, Visiting Hours and the voice of Rogue (X-Men, 1992-1997), Michael MacDonald (The Legend of the Psychotic Forest Ranger), Nick Bradshaw (artist for Marvel) and a couple of neat vendors (DevoFX was especially cool with their 7′ tall Predator).

Near the end of the event, a surprise guest showed up. It was none other than Leatherface himself, Gunnar Hansen. He wasn’t taking any autographs, but I did manage to get a couple of photos with him. It was a unique experience being able to get a photo with him and Kane Hodder. Kane was especially harder on the neck this time.

After Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood finished playing, Kane sat down to do a Q & A session and provided a lot of neat information on his stunt career, favourite Jason kill (sleeping bag – spoilers! and frozen face smash – spoilers!), and Victor Crowley (Hatchet) kill (face rip -spoilers!). Kane Hodder was easy going and down to earth. Also, you haven’t experienced life until you are sitting in a room of 20 or so like-minded people, Kane Hodder and Gunnar Hansen sitting in the back listening in and teasing Kane with quips like who is better: Leatherface or Jason? Tough question and one Kane wisely avoided (although a few wise cracks were involved, Leatherstain and Leatherboy being a couple of examples).

I had an amazing time at Summer Fear 2012, and I highly recommend going next year if you get the chance. I’ll be going again. It might be hard to top this incredible year, but I’m sure they’ll think of something amazing once again. Thanks to everyone who set this up and ran this fantastic convention, which had a great small and personal feeling to it. ‘Til next year!