TORONTO — Lucky Paranormal’s Gail and Mel Willis have lists taped to nearly every cupboard and appliance in their kitchen.
It’s all part of organizing the second annual Lake Superior Paracon — and this year, the Thunder Bay duo has even more on their plates.
Over brunch at Fran’s Diner in downtown Toronto, the couple laughed about the chaos that comes with expanding the event.
“It’s been good, but we’re really busy just trying to get everything organized because there are so many tiny details,” Gail Willis said, adding that the Delta Hotels Thunder Bay offered them a second day as part of a package deal.
That bonus time led to a bigger event lineup. The weekend now kicks off with cryptozoologist Jason Kenzie leading a sasquatch expedition on October 16, followed by a campfire ghost story event the next evening. The main convention runs on October 18 with an after-hours investigation of the Thunder Bay Museum at night. Medium Kerrilynn Shellhorn closes things out with a Sunday gallery reading.
With only a small team of volunteers, finding downtime isn’t easy.
“When are we sleeping?” Gail asked, with a laugh.
“We’re not,” Mel joked. “Maybe Monday, after we drop everyone off at the airport.”
Running one of the few paranormal conventions in Canada comes with nerves — and excitement — especially as ticket sales have already outpaced last year’s. Still, Gail said Thunder Bay locals are known for buying late.
“A huge amount of people bought tickets right away,” Mel said.
“Thunder Bay is like that,” Gail added. “They don’t buy in advance. Three days before, we’ll be swamped with people wanting to buy at the door.”
The couple’s goal has always been to spotlight voices from across the country. This year’s lineup includes Shawn Leonard and Elliott Van Dusen from the East Coast. The Superstitious Times’ Brian Baker, Katherine Keeping, Shellhorn and the Six Nations Investigating Paranormal Encounters team — Artie Martin, Jay Smith, and Todd and Trevor Thomas — from Ontario. Ufologist Chris Rutkowski represents Manitoba, Beyond the Haunting’s Corine Carey, Kelly Ireland and Leanne Sallenback, as well as Kenzie bring their British Columbia perspective.
From across the border, Kim Christine of Duluth, Minnesota, and author Mike Ricksecker of Cleveland, Ohio, round out the speaker roster.
Workshops will cover everything from clearing attachments and using dowsing rods to incantation spells, paranormal equipment and crafting money bowls.
“We’re just trying to keep it interesting for all kinds of different people,” Gail said.
Tickets for the convention, running from October 16 to 19, are still available through the Lake Superior Paracon website.
Photo by Brian Baker / The Superstitious Times