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Horror with a side of haunting: GrossFest comes to George Washington

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GrossFest founder Tim Gross is a fan of horror and a seasoned movie critic.

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Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter

GrossFest will be held Saturday at the George Washington, believed by some to be haunted.

When word that a popular South Hills horror convention was ceasing operations, Tim Gross’ many friends and acquaintances joked that he should start “GrossFest,” a place where they could watch horror films, meet filmmakers and authors and purchase movies and memorabilia.

“A few days went by and the joke got legs and began running,” said Gross.

So the exterminator by day and film critic by night tapped his brother, Tom Gross, author Terrence Main and his wife, Tammy, to put up the money for GrossFest Independent Horror Con, a convention for horror fans and independent horror filmmakers. The inaugural event takes place Saturday at the George Washington, 60 S. Main St., Washington. The rumor that the hotel – built in 1922 – is haunted just added to the atmosphere.

“Among ghost hunters, the hotel has a reputation,” said Gross. “This is different, out-of-the-box.”

Gross said GrossFest isn’t trying to compete with conventions like Steel City Con.

Tim Gross appears in “Jagoff Massacre,” a film he co-directed with Daniel Boyd in 2013 and 2014.

“A lot of times at those things, independent people are pushed into the corner,” he said. “We made it affordable. Everybody gets to see each other face-to-face. You’ll get to meet authors and filmmakers you didn’t know about, but I bet you’ll develop an interest in.”

Among the scheduled guests are Claysville native Justin Seaman and Zane Hershberger, who filmed “The Barn” in Washington County.

“I feel like next year, those guys will be too big to come back,” said Gross. “There are influential people like that coming from all over.”

For $10, attendees can watch the films being shown in the Mount Vernon room and enter the vendor area, where authors and filmmakers will sell their wares and chat. Kids under 8 will be admitted for free – Gross said as far as he knows, nothing will be “too crazy.”

Having horror-genre lovers together in one room is what is particularly appealing to Gross.

“Someone in that room could be the next George Romero or Tom Savini or even inspire someone to become the next Stephen King,” Gross said in an email.

The first GrossFest Awards, including best short and feature film, will be held, and a lifetime achievement award will be given.

Gross said unlike most festivals, filmmakers were invited to submit their films for free. The worst that could happen, he said, is that he would talk about the film on his podcast, “Bloodbaths and Boomsticks.”

Screening the submissions aided in Gross’ ultimate goal.

“I want to watch every horror movie ever made,” he said. “I know it won’t happen, but I’m trying.”

GrossFest vendor room will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday. Movies will run from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. For more information, visit the Facebook page “GrossFest” or www.grossfest.com.

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