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March 21st & 22nd, 2026

Obscura Paracon is a celebration of the paranormal, the unexplained, and the beautifully strange - held inside the iconic Altgeld Hall “castle” at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois. This immersive convention brings together investigators, psychics, scholars, vendors, and enthusiasts for a weekend of discovery and connection. Whether you’re drawn to ghost stories, metaphysical practices, or the thrill of exploring what lies beyond the veil, Obscura Paracon invites you to follow the lantern into the unknown.

Special Guests

Meet the legends of the paranormal world - ghost hunters, psychic mediums, authors, and investigators who walk between worlds. Get up close, ask questions, and maybe even catch a selfie from the other side.

Lectures & Presentations

Settle in as experts share chilling case studies, haunted histories, and spine-tingling insights from real investigations. Whether you're a skeptic or a believer, these talks will leave you thinking twice when the lights go out.

Workshops

Get hands-on with the tools of the trade! From spirit communication to energy protection, our interactive workshops are led by seasoned investigators and mystics ready to share their craft with curious souls.

Obscura Marketplace

Wander through a curated bazaar of dark art, ghost-hunting gear, metaphysical goods, and haunted oddities. Whether you collect crystals or EMF detectors, you’ll find something strange and wonderful here.

2026 Special Guests

Dave Schrader

Dave Schrader is a renowned paranormal investigator, author, and television personality known for his deep dives into haunted history, unexplained phenomena, and the mysteries of the afterlife. As the host of The Paranormal 60 Podcast and a familiar face on The Holzer Files and Ghosts of Devil’s Perch, Dave brings decades of experience, compelling insight, and a bold curiosity for the unknown. Whether behind the mic or in the field, he continues to inspire and challenge audiences to explore the world beyond the veil.

Chris Fleming

Chris Fleming is a world-renowned paranormal investigator, medium, and television personality with over five decades of experience exploring spirit communication and life after death. Best known for his work on Dead Famous, Ghost Adventures, Portals to Hell, and Psychic Kids, Chris blends intuitive ability with pioneering investigative methods. He co-developed the SB7 Spirit Box and helped shape modern ghost hunting techniques. A near-death experience and recent recovery from leukemia have deepened his spiritual insight. As host of the Spirit Talk podcast and a frequent guest on international paranormal series, Chris continues to explore the mysteries that connect us to each other and to the unseen.

Amelia Cotter

Amelia Cotter is an accomplished author, folklorist, and paranormal researcher whose work bridges haunting history, ethereal storytelling, and lived experience. With books like Where the Party Never Ended: Ghosts of the Old Baraboo Inn and This House: The True Story of a Girl and a Ghost, she brings depth, empathy, and curiosity to every investigation. Amelia’s voice has also been heard on Coast to Coast AM, Hometown Horror, and in ghostly documentaries. Blending scholarship with spirit encounters, she inspires audiences to listen for the whispers between worlds.

Dale Kaczmarek 

Dale Kaczmarek is a veteran paranormal investigator, author, and president of the Ghost Research Society, one of the longest‑running research organizations in the field. Investigating supernatural phenomena since the 1970s, Dale has examined thousands of hauntings, authored influential field guides and books on ghost hunting and spirit photography, and leads immersive haunted history tours throughout the Chicago area. Known for blending scientific inquiry with open‑minded exploration, he continues to teach, write, and share his decades of experience uncovering the mysterious and unexplained.

Barnaby Jones

Barnaby Jones is a respected cryptozoologist and paranormal researcher based in Wisconsin, best known as the founder of the Cryptids, Anomalies, and the Paranormal Society (CAPS). He hosts the popular shows Monsters on the Edge and The Paranormal Spectrum on the Untold Radio Network, where he shares insights from years of field investigation into unexplained creatures and haunted phenomena. His work has been featured in American Paranormal Magazine, My Haunted Hometown on the T+E Network, and countless podcasts. Whether exploring abandoned buildings or deep forest trails, Barnaby and his team are dedicated to uncovering the mysteries that lie just beyond the edge of the known.

Joshua Purvis

Joshua Purvis is a paranormal media creator and co‑founder of Stream Beacon TV, a leading streaming platform dedicated to paranormal, horror, and true‑crime storytelling. With more than a decade of exploring unexplained phenomena, Josh brings his passion for investigation and narrative to life through original series like Searchers and Small Town Secrets, connecting audiences with real‑world mysteries and immersive field work. His work on BeaconTV has helped shape a new generation of paranormal content by blending documentary rigor with compelling storytelling. Whether on screen or behind the scenes, Josh continues to push boundaries in the paranormal genre and entertain curious minds worldwide.

Tony Szabelski 

Tony Szabelski is a seasoned paranormal investigator, historian, and expert guide best known for his work with Chicago Hauntings Ghost Tours, where he leads immersive explorations of the Windy City’s most haunted locations and chilling stories. With years of experience sharing ghost lore, mob history, and eerie encounters through walking tours, trolley investigations, and multimedia appearances, Tony brings Chicago’s supernatural past to life with passion and authenticity. A skilled storyteller and investigator, he has also been featured on local news and podcasts highlighting haunted history and paranormal exploration. 

Willy Adkins

Willy Adkins is a lifelong researcher of illusions, a paranormal investigator, filmmaker, and event producer known for uncovering stories hidden in the shadows. With over two decades of experience exploring haunted locations across the Midwest and beyond, Willy brings a unique mix of skeptical inquiry and spiritual reverence to the field. As the founder of Obscura Paranormal and creator of numerous supernatural events and indie horror films, his work blurs the line between documentation and the unexplained. When Willy’s lantern lights the way, the spirits tend to follow.

Robbin Terry

Robbin Terry is the owner and steward of Ashmore Estates, the historic former Coles County Poor Farm turned iconic paranormal investigation destination in Ashmore, Illinois. Since acquiring the property in 2014 with his wife Norma, Robbin has dedicated himself to restoring the landmark and honoring the memories of its past residents while welcoming investigators, historians, and curious visitors from around the world. Under his care, Ashmore Estates has become a respected site for professional research, private tours, and paranormal exploration, blending historic preservation with a commitment to understanding the unexplained.

After Hours
Ghost Hunt at The Egyptian Theatre!

Experience the haunted history of the Egyptian Theatre like never before in this exclusive after-hours ghost hunt. Limited to just 24 participants, this special add-on event invites you to investigate one of Illinois’ most iconic—and paranormally active—landmarks alongside seasoned investigators. Separate ticket required.

Spots are limited…

and the spirits are waiting!

Vendor Info

Step inside the historic halls of Altgeld Castle and become part of Obscura Paracon’s marketplace of the strange, supernatural, and unexplained. Our vendor floor brings together artists, oddity collectors, paranormal enthusiasts, metaphysical makers, and unique small businesses for a weekend unlike any other.


Explore booth options, pricing, add-ons, load-in details, and everything you need to secure your space at the 2026 Obscura Paracon. Whether you're returning or joining us for the first time, we’d love to welcome you into the heart of the castle’s vibrant vendor community.