ParaCon 2024

Just in time for the spooky season, Jamestown Paranormal Investigators (JPI) is hosting its fourth paranormal convention, ParaCon ’24, on Saturday, September 28th from 12:00-6:00pm at Gowanda’s Historic Hollywood Theater at 39 W. Main Street.

Founded in 2010 by Mike Pollaro, a 20-year veteran ghost hunter and paranormal investigator, JPI is a volunteer group of paranormal enthusiasts, ghost hunters, and those seeking “to find proof of the paranormal,” according to its mission statement. The group offers confidential investigations of private residents, businesses, and lands free of charge throughout greater Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties.

In a phone interview with Pollaro, ellicotvilleNOW got the scoop on ParaCon ’24.

eNOW: How did you get the event off the ground? What was the impetus for ParaCon ’24?

POLLARO: This will be Jamestown Paranormal Investigator’s fourth ParaCon that we have done in the past. We have done them for a while now, and this one is trying to help children with epilepsy. Getting an event like this off the ground takes a lot of work. We have 17 different tables with vendors and auction tables. For speakers, we have a Bigfoot researcher and speaker, a UFO speaker, and a couple of other paranormal groups coming in. All the proceeds from any sales go to fight epilepsy, and ticket sales go to support the theater.

eNOW: Why did you choose Gowanda’s Historic Hollywood Theater? Are there any hauntings or known paranormal activity there?

POLLARO: We have a good relationship with the theater. JPI has done investigations there and they classify us as their paranormal team. We have been doing events there for three years now and they said that they would like to do an event there, so I explained to them what ParaCon is and they said that’s what they want. They have been really good to us.

eNOW: Can you give us a sneak-peek of what folks can expect at ParaCon ’24?

POLLARO: We have 5 or 6 speakers – Peter Wiemer, a Bigfoot researcher/speaker; Cookie Stringfellow, a UFO speaker; Danielle Cervone and Hope Hill from JPI; Quentin Zarzynski, presenting on goblins and mysterious stuff like that. I have a couple other ghost groups that will come in, like CAPS, the Chautauqua Area Paranormal Society – Caleb Dopson is speaking. Freddy Krueger will also be walking around all day long. My granddaughter is going to do Samara Morgan. When people come in, I want them to be a part of the experience. If I have Freddy and Samara walking around and interacting with people, they will enjoy themselves better. I want them to be involved and to say, “Yes, this is what we want,” to be a part of this. There will be 50/50 raffles, door prizes, and auction items. We have lot of donated items to sell, like an autograph from Nick Groff, formerly of Ghost Adventures and Paranormal Lockdown. There will be vendors selling all kinds of things, from homemade items to majestical crystals to creepy dolls - stuff like that. All the money the vendors make off of their tables, they take home with them that night. I also have an author coming to sell his books.

eNOW: Is this a family-friendly event?

POLLARO: Yes, this is a family gathering; it is absolutely a family-friendly event! There will not be any alcohol, so you don’t have to worry about anyone drunk being in front of the kids. We’ll have games for the kids, too.

eNOW: What cause is the event supporting?

POLLARO: The idea behind the ParaCons was to raise money for causes. The first was for breast cancer awareness. The second was for childhood cancer, and the third for bullying awareness. This year’s event will help fight epilepsy. My granddaughter ended up with epilepsy years ago and I have seen love ones who have gone through this. The money will go to the DENT Neurological Institute in Buffalo and my granddaughter will present the check. I try to help children in our community of Western New York, so this money will stay here for our children. The goals of this event are to make the money for the cause, to have fun, and to listen to ghost groups.

eNOW: Will there be refreshments available?

POLLARO: The theater will be selling food and soft drinks. There will be pizza, pop, and no alcohol.

eNOW: What is the cost of admittance?

POLLARO: $5 at the door or you can purchase tickets directly on the theater’s website. ParaCon is happening during Gowanda’s Fall Festival weekend so they are going to get people through the door.

For more details on ParaCon ’24, check out JPI’s dedicated paranormal convention Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/jamestownparacon/ and the Facebook event page at https://www.facebook.com/events/3746549305556586/?ref=newsfeed. Mark your calendars for JPI’s next public investigation at the Lucille Ball Little Theatre in Jamestown on November 9, 2024.

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