Author: milwaukeeparacon

Some Ticket Updates

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VIPs
If you want to get the full Milwaukee Paranormal Conference experience, we recommend the VIP ticket. These are limited to precisely 100 (and that number is shrinking), and are priced at $75. This gets you:

-An exclusive VIP dinner party with several of the conference guest speakers, to be held the evening (5:30-8:00pm) at the Mitchell Park Pavilion on the Lagoon. We will have a variety of food and drink options, and pleased to announce that it will include a performance by renowned cellist and composer Janet Schiff (of the amazing group Nineteen Thirteen).

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Nineteen Thirteen. Photo by Doug Seymour Photography

-The VIP ticket also includes admission to both days of the conference AND our Saturday night Raven’s Masquerade Ball (details on that to be announced soon!) You’ll also get a limited cloth swag bag with our logo on it. Inside you’ll find a variety of swag from our vendors and sponsors. We’ve already gotten commitments of stickers, magnets, bookmarks, and more.

UW Student Tickets
We have two student discount priced tickets to save a couple bucks. The student two day pass is $13 and the super pass (includes admission to the Raven’s Masquerade Ball) is $21. This open to all students in the UW system and all you’ll have to do is show your student ID when picking up your ticket at will call.

The Raven’s Masquerade Ball
If you’re just interested in attending our masquerade ball, or doing a one day pass and the party, you can buy tickets to just the ball separately for $8. More info, including venue and performers, will be posted soon!

All tickets available here: milwaukeeparacon.brownpapertickets.com

New Venue

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We had previously announced our venue as the Zelazo Center on the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee campus, however we are moving across the street to the UWM Student Union. This is going to be a bigger space, with a larger vendor floor. We’ll be utilizing the Wisconsin Room, the Union Ballroom, and other spaces.

As their Facebook page notes,  the UWM Student Union is one of the busiest places in Wisconsin, with approximately 27,000 daily visitors. We are excited to be in the heart of campus!

Two notes for UWM students: we are currently working on establishing a UWM Paranormal Club for students interested in volunteering and organizing parts of the conference and promoting it on campus. We’ll post more details soon. UW Paranormal Club members who volunteer get into the con free.

We will also be offering UW students a discount on tickets and will be adding that option to our ticket sales page soon.

Volunteer!

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We have a good list of gorgeous, witty, smart, hard-working volunteers already– thanks to everyone who has offered to help out. That being said, we can use a few more. We need volunteers not only for the conference itself, but the related after con activities.

Volunteers are expected to work a couple of short shifts at the con or after parties.

 

 

Volunteers get:

-Free admission to the conference and our Masquerade Ball after party.

-A free t-shirt and sticker.

-Free lunch each day.

There is a range of needs that we have, helping set up and tear down, helping direct people where to go, attending to our ticket/merch/will call, helping organize and promote, and lots more.

If you’re interested, please e-mail us at: milwaukeeparacon@gmail.com and we will add you to the list. A group e-mail will go out in March with more specifics.

You can be…a VIP!

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VIP tickets to the Milwaukee Paranormal Conference are going to be a key element of our fundraising. We have 100 VIP tickets available, when they’re gone, that’s it!
You not only get admission to both conference days (Sat. Oct. 15 and Sun. Oct. 16 at the UWM Campus) but you get a lot of added perks with the VIP ticket:

VIP Dinner Party

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Our VIP dinner party will take place the evening of Friday, October 14, the night before the conference, from 5:30-8pm.

We’re happy to announce the venue for our VIP dinner party, which will be the Mitchell Park Pavilion on the Lagoon (524 Layton Boulevard.). Mitchell Park will be a nice place for you to take an autumn stroll before dinner, if you choose, or visit the iconic Mitchell Park Domes, which have been closed due to structural damage, although the Show Dome is anticipated to reopen soon.

Our venue is a nice pavilion located right on Mitchell Park’s lagoon. We’re still working on a menu, but it will include vegetarian and vegan options. We will have alcohol and non-alcohol beverages available. We will give you a short presentation on the conference and there will be a special performance renowned cellist and composer Janet Schiff (of the amazing group Nineteen Thirteen.)
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Guest speakers are all invited (but that doesn’t guarantee all will be there) to the dinner party and will be divided up so we have at least one guest speaker (and probably more than one) at each table. We will also be having a party at a local bar after the dinner, which will be open to VIPs, other con attendees, and the general public. That venue is yet to be determined.

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Tote Bag

The cloth tote bag will feature our 2016 logo screened on the side and will contain your VIP pass, a conference program, and we’ve given our vendors and sponsors the option to include swag to stuff into these limited edition (only 100) bags. For example, one vendor is providing us with 100 magnets, another is having stickers made. We’re also hoping to include coupons, postcards, and whatever else shows up! Inside, you’ll also find your conference program.

The Raven’s Masquerade Ball

Our big bash is going to take place Saturday night after the conference. The venue and entertainment is TBA, but will feature music, performance, and a costume contest (in several categories). The event has an Edgar Allan Poe theme and is free to VIP pass holders. More details will be announced in spring. 800px-Edgar_Allan_Poe_2_retouched_and_transparent_bg

 

Get a VIP Pass today!

All of this is available with the VIP Pass, which is just $75. Hurry and get yours, once they are gone, there is no turning the wheel back! Again, these are strictly limited to 100 and available here: milwaukeeparacon.brownpapertickets.com

 

Guest Announcements, Round 2

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Milwaukee Paranormal Conference is happening October 15 and 16 at the UWM campus. In our last post, we announced our first round of guest speakers, including Loren Coleman, Chad Lewis, Mary Marshall, Allison Jornlin, Celesté Contreras, Summerwind Restoration Society, and Paranormal Investigators of Milwaukee. We also announced two panels, “Searching  for Wisconsin’s Sasquatch” and “Haunted Road Trip.”

We’re excited to reveal our second round of guest announcements.

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First, special guest speaker Chase Kloetzke. Chase is an author, radio show host, and frequent guest lecturer at UFO conventions. Chase has been a member of the Mutual UFO Network since 1996 and is currently MUFON’s Deputy Director of Investigations and Special Case Manager, leading a team of high performance and highly skilled investigators to special assignments in MUFON.

She is also the host of Fate Magazine Radio on KGRA, co-author (with Richard Dolan) of Admissable: The Field Investigator’s Manual and the children’s book Are Aliens Really Real?
Here’s her website: chasekloetzke.com

Additionally, we are happy to announce:

Ursula Bielski, author and Chicago ghostlorist.

Nick Roesler, author and host of Beyond Deep Black Radio.

Kristan T. Harris, researcher and co-host of The Rundown Live, he’ll be giving a presentation titled “The Hidden History of Giants.”

Dark Star Ministry presents: “Ouija & Tarot: Occult Tools and the Paranormal.”

Panels
Cult of Weird presents: Wisconsin’s Wildest Urban Legends: This panel will talk about one of the more fun aspects of our folklore– the urban legend. We’ll be talking about Muskego’s Haunchyville, an alleged colony of angry little people, the bloody legend of Boy Scout Lane in Stevens Point, the break out star of the 2015 Milwaukee Para Con–Goatman!–and more. This panel includes J. Nathan Couch (Goatman: Flesh or Folklore?), Charlie Hinz and Christina Rickman(Cult of Weird), and Valerie Kedrowski (Stevens Point Paranormal). Moderator: Tea Krulos (Monster Hunters, Riverwest Ghost Stories).

We will be announcing a third round of speakers in early February!

Tickets on sale now: milwaukeeparacon.brownpapertickets.com

We will also have a table at the Milwaukee Comic Con, Sunday Feb. 21, 10:30-4:30, at American Serb Hall. Admission to the con is $5, kids 12 and under free. You’ll be able to buy Para Con tickets from us with cash or card.

Vendor Tables Available Now!

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Vendor tables are available now for the Milwaukee Paranormal Conference 2016. Our first year event took place in June 2015 and was a day filled with speakers, panels, tours, screenings, and a vendor hall related to ghosts, UFOs, weird history, cryptozoology, folklore, and more.

We are doing an expanded two day event October 15 and 16, 2016 at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Student Union.

Our vendor floor was very popular last year. We had a good mix of authors, artists, paranormal groups, tour operators, podcasters, metaphysical services, and of course, stuff that defies conventional categorization.

We have six foot tables available for $60 for one day or $75 for both days. This fee also includes:
-2 passes to the con. Upgraded passes like the VIP pass offered at discount.

-Business name and website listed in our program and on our website.

-Starting in March, we’ll be featuring a couple “Vendors of the Week” on our website with a blurb about your business and a picture of you or your product.

If you’re interested in looking at our vendor info form, we’re happy to send you a copy.

milwaukeeparacon@gmail.com

Venue, First Speakers Announced! Tickets on Sale!

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Here is our latest exciting information for the 2016 Milwaukee Paranormal Conference, October 14-16 (we are listing this as a three day event now as we will have a pre-con party on the 14th!)

VENUE

After much searching and inquiry, we’re happy to announce our venue: the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Student Union, 2200 E. Kenwood Blvd., located on Milwaukee’s East Side.

SPEAKER ANNOUNCEMENTS

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We’re pleased to announce that our keynote speaker on the topic of cryptozoology this year is Loren Coleman. Loren is often referred to as the world’s leading expert on the topic of cryptozoology, a field he has pursued passionately since the 1960s. He has authored dozens of books on the topic, appears frequently on programs like Unsolved Mysteries, and is the founder and director of the International Cryptozoology Museum in Portland, Maine. We are honored to be able to bring Loren to speak in Milwaukee for the first time.

We have many other speakers confirmed and are in talks with others. For now, we’ll list just a small sampling and will announce more speakers in a couple weeks.

Chad Lewis, researcher, author, and lecturer on topics of the strange and unusual. He’ll be giving our first talk on Sea Serpents and Lake Monsters!

Mary Marshall, paranormal studies teacher, founder and director of The Paranormal MD.

Allison Jornlin, Milwaukee ghostlorist. She’ll be returning with a talk titled “Milwaukee Forteana, vol. II.”

Celesté Contreras, organizer, Día de los Muertos Milwaukee.

Summerwind Restoration Society

Paranormal Investigators of Milwaukee

Panels
Haunted Road Trip: October is a great month to get a tank of gas and take a short road trip to check out some haunted locations in the Midwest. You get can some good tips on haunted hotspots open to the public from our panel of ghost guide experts– Mike Hoke (Cedarburg Ghost & Dark History Walking Tours), Lisa Van Buskirk (Madison Ghost Tour), and Kathi Kresol (Haunted Rockford, author of Murder & Mayhem in Rockford, Illinois). Moderator: Mike Huberty (Minneapolis Ghost Tour, See You On The Other Side podcast).

Searching for Wisconsin’s Sasquatch: Does Bigfoot roam throughout the Northwoods, in Kettle Moraine State Forest and other locations? Our panel says yes! Hear from people who have actually spent time out in the field looking for the elusive cryptid. Panelists include author and researcher Linda S. Godfrey, Jay Bachochin (WPI Hunts the Truth), and Jen and Larry Dopke (Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization, Wisconsin). Moderator: Sanjay R. Singhal, RA (Beyond the Forest Radio).

Much more to follow soon!

TICKET INFORMATION

We were able to host a free event last year, but with significantly higher venue and guest speaker fees, we need your support and we need to sell tickets. We have kept our prices as low as possible to make it an affordable experience for everyone. You can buy tickets via the site Brown Paper Tickets. There are service fees, but the online tickets will still be $5-$10 cheaper than buying them at the door.

We may have a participating store in Milwaukee sell tickets in the near future. Here are your ticket options:

1-Day Pass: Will get you into the conference for either Saturday or Sunday. $10.

2-Day Pass: Both conference days, just $15.

2-Day Super Pass (limited to 250): Both conference days, as well as admission to our Ghost Story Open Mic event and our Saturday night Masquerade Ball. $25.

VIP Pass (limited to 100…get ’em while they last!): Full access. Includes a special VIP dinner party the evening of Friday, October 14 with some of our conference guests. We are working on details of the dinner, but it will be in Milwaukee and we will have vegetarian and vegan options. Also, a special cloth tote bag screened with our logo that includes your program and swag. Free entry to the con, Ghost Story Open Mic, Masquerade Ball, (and possibly screening session.) $75.

A la carte: If you are solely interested in our activities like the Ghost Story Open Mic, Masquerade Ball, and screening session, we will have a la carte tickets to those events added soon.

All tickets available here: milwaukeeparacon.brownpapertickets.com

You will be able to pick up your passes at the con at will call by showing an ID.

Vendors: We had originally posted a deal that was supposed to be good through today ($60 one day/ $75 two days) but because it took time to confirm venue, that is extended through March.

Volunteers: We have a fantastic list of volunteers already, but definitely could use more.

Sponsors: We have a lot of great sponsorship opportunities available. Ask us for more info!

Vendors, volunteers, and sponsors can contact us at: milwaukeeparacon@gmail.com

Here is our Facebook event page: www.facebook.com/events/423586874516004/

Milwaukee Para Con 2016 Dates Announced!

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We will be announcing the venue and more info shortly, as well as tickets! Meanwhile, here is our first call for…

Vendors: Our vendor floor has more room this year and 6 foot vendor tables are on sale now! Today through New Year’s Day, 2016 tables are just $60 one day/ $75 two days. After New Year’s table price will increase. Last year, our vendor floor sold out months before the event, so don’t miss out! E-mail milwaukeeparacon@gmail.com for a form and more info.

Volunteers: We need a solid crew of volunteers to make this event happen. Benefits this year include free passes, a t-shirt, and lunch. We need volunteers in a wide variety of capacities: organization, guest services, tech support, operating ticket and merch booths. E-mail milwaukeeparacon@gmail.com and we’ll put you on our volunteer info list.

Sponsors: We have a variety of great sponsorship levels, everything from getting a stage or activity paired with your business, to an ad in our conference program. E-mail milwaukeeparacon@gmail.com for more details.

Facebook event page: www.facebook.com/events/423586874516004/

TICKETS ON SALE SOON!

Our 2016 logo (starring our mascot, Chupy) was illustrated by Milwaukee artist Catherine Palmeno. She’ll be tabling at the con with her awesome artwork! You can check out her Etsy page HERE.

Milwaukee Para Con Ts are BACK!

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Due to  popular demand (these t-shirts sold out in a blink of an eye at our inaugural Milwaukee Para Con on June 6!) we will be reprinting one of our 2015 shirts…the black shirt with glow-in-the-dark ink. Sizes S through XXXL are available.

Here’s how it works: we will be selling the shirts online as a pre-order through June 30, 2015. At that date we will stop online sales, tally how many orders we have, add a few extras, then place our order with our shirt guys. It’ll take them a little less than two weeks to fill the order. We will package and ship out orders on July 15, 2015. The $20 shirt fee includes shipping.

Our store also includes our 2015 Milwaukee Para Con sticker ($3, includes shipping) and signed copies of Monster Hunters by Tea Krulos, that can be personalized ($19, includes shipping). Those items are available to be shipped out immediately.

Shirt and sticker sales will go toward Milwaukee Para Con’s 2016 budget.

HERE’S OUR STORE LINK: https://squareup.com/market/milwaukee-para-con

Milwaukee Para Con director Tea Krulos will also be making an in-store appearance this Thursday, June 18, at People’s Books Cooperative (804 E. Center St.) at 6pm to talk about his books, the Para Con, neighborhood ghost stories, and more. Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1416946225297364/

Photo by Wendy Schreier Photography. MPC logo design by David Beyer, Jr.

2015 Wisconsin Researcher of the Year: Linda S. Godfrey

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Conference director Tea Krulos and volunteer Kimberly Poeppey surprise Linda Godfrey with her award after her talk at the Milwaukee Paranormal Conference. Photo by Wendy Schreier Photography.

Linda S. Godfrey started reporting on paranormal phenomenon in the state of Wisconsin with her initial reports of the “Beast of Bray Road” (a werewolf like entity spotted around the farmlands of Linda’s hometown of Elkhorn, Wisconsin) in 1991. Since then, she’s gone on to write over a dozen books spotlighting Wisconsin’s oddest encounters, from Bigfoot to Manwolf to ghosts, Lake Monsters, Batsquatch, and a great many other things that might make you sleep with the light on.

Some of her books on these subjects include: The Beast of Bray Road: Tailing Wisconsin’s Werewolf, Weird Wisconsin, Monsters of Wisconsin, Haunted Wisconsin, Real Wolfmen: True Encounters in Modern America, and her most recent book, American Monsters: A History of Monster Lore, Legends, and Sightings in America.

In recognition of Linda’s research, field work, and interviewing of eye witnesses for over two decades, we are proud to award her the first ever Milwaukee Paranormal Conference award, which is the 2015 Wisconsin Researcher of the Year Award.

Next year, we may expand this award program. We will be exploring either setting up a committee and/or having a vote for award recipient.