Do the Monster Bash

THE MAIN EVENTS: The convention, which was started by a horror film and memorabilia buff and his two sons in 2003, will be held three times next year. The February show ($35 for three days or $20 per day) will feature a room with wall-to-wall vendors selling such fright film items as movie props, posters and figurines. Meanwhile, in the autograph rooms, a dozen members from the "Saw" trilogy, seven stars and the director from "The Monster Squad," and the man-creature from the Black Lagoon will be on hand to sign their Hancocks and make small talk.

Horror movies also will be playing nonstop through the weekend. Some of the stars of those films will introduce them and participate in panel discussions throughout the event.

WHAT A SCREAM: At a Q&A session (or maybe at the hotel bar), ask horror actor Tom Woodruff Jr. which of his two characters -- Pumpkinhead or Gill-Man -- would win in a death match.

INFO: Monster-Mania Con 7, 609-634-2671, http://www.monstermania.net/Convention7.htm .

BlobFest

WHERE: Phoenixville, Pa., about 28 miles west of Philly.

WHEN: July 13-14.

HORROR 101: Watch the jiggly killer in 1958's "The Blob."

THE MAIN EVENTS: The film starring Steve McQueen and murderous Jell-O was filmed in and around Phoenixville, which has been celebrating its royal schlockness since 2000. BlobFest kicks off July 13 (yep, a Friday) at the Colonial Theatre, with live music, vendors selling horror and sci-fi memorabilia and meet-and-greets with monsters and other cultish characters. In addition, original cast and crew members will be reunited for the flick's 50th anniversary (the filming of it). Later that evening, the Colonial will reenact the famed "running-from-the-Blob" scene, which was shot at the theater.

The following day is a jumble of activities, including multiple screenings of the movie, a street festival and a display of the original Blob (red-dyed silicone with the consistency of cranberry sauce). That evening, settle in for a double feature of a B-rate flick and "The Blob." (Note: All events are free except for the movies, which cost $7 each.)

The event ends Saturday night, but you can spend Sunday touring the film locations, including the office of Dr. T. Hallen (one of the early victims) on Main and Third streets, and Barkley School, where the Blob was frozen to death. For a list of sites, see http://theblobsite.filmbuffonline.com/ .

WHAT A SCREAM: During the reenactment, hundreds of audience members flee the theater while being chased by a substitute Blob (a giant monkey, a crazy doctor -- anything with legs, really). Wear a costume -- popular choices are '50s housewives and nuns -- and warm up those lungs for the screamiest run of your life.

INFO: Blobfest, 610-917-1228, http://www.thecolonialtheatre.com/html/BlobFest.html .

.