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WPL HorrorFest
VIRTUAL HORROR FEST AT WORCESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY
MOLLY PRIOR
Halloween is typically celebrated in large groups of people. Parents and children go trick-or-treating, while adults have theme parties, dress up and have fun. There are parades, pumpkin carving and more. During the COVID-19 pandemic, however, everything changed, including the way we celebrate holidays.
Halloween will be very different this year. People will try to find creative ways to have fun and celebrate while staying safe. The Worcester Public Library is trying to help provide virtual Halloween fun during this challenging time with the virtual Horror Fest 2020, which will include discussions about some well-known horror films for those who prefer the scarier side of the holiday.
Horror Fest 2020 will take place every Wednesday in October via Zoom. Every week has its own theme such as zombies, vampires and witches. Some of the films include the classic “Night of the Living Dead” and the more recent “Hereditary.” The event will feature conversation about the films and other media such as books and how they have contributed to the conventions of the modern day horror genre.
Tara Jankowki and Devon Evans, two public service librarians, are the ones who came up with the idea for Horror Fest 2020 and are also the ones organizing it. Inspiration for the event came from conversations about horror movies the pair had with each other and their friends and how to bring people together during Covid-19.
“When I came up with the idea for this event, I thought of how Devon and I always discuss the latest horror movies we’ve seen or books we’ve read or fun facts we’ve come across,” said Jankowski. “With the Covid-19 pandemic, people may not be able to have parties or movie nights, so this gives them the opportunity to do something fun for Halloween. It’s a way for us horror fans to celebrate our favorite time of year, which helps us hold on to a bit of normalcy in these uncertain times.”
Jankowski thinks that not only will the event attract horror film fans, but it will also appeal to a wide variety of audiences, due to the fact that it is virtual and accessible from anywhere.
“I think this event will attract people interested in all facets of the horror genre, whether they’re movie buffs, avid readers or interested in where these legends come from,” Jankowsi explained.
Both librarians agree that virtual events like this one have helped the library prosper and has succeeded in community outreach in a different way than before. They also feel that it brings people together in a time where that is difficult for most.
“Technology always plays an important role in libraries, but even more so now with the virus,” Evans explained. “Through platforms like Zoom we're able to provide virtual programming to patrons at a time when they might otherwise feel isolated, and give those patrons a chance to connect with each other through shared interests.”
As for future virtual events for the library, the pair said that they have gotten positive feedback and expect them to continue.
“From the simplicity of being able to attend a program without having to park, to the appreciation of parents who can connect to us without the need of a babysitter, we've gotten lots of great feedback on our virtual programs,” Evans said. “Although this is our first virtual Horror Fest, Tara and I are confident there are horror fans out there just waiting to discuss their favorite scary movies and books.”
For more information on Horror Fest 2020, you can go to the official website with their adult classes and programs section, or you can register on Facebook under their Facebook events page.
