From a live seance to explorations into Indiana folklore, the strange and otherworldly in Northwest Indiana will be the focus of a convention featuring local paranormal investigators, vendors and an active investigation into whether spirits still linger within the walls of the conference’s location, a former slaughterhouse which is rumored to be haunted.
The NWI Paracon is from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday at Great Oaks Events and Banquets, 13109 Wicker Ave. in Cedar Lake, a venue that dates back to the early 1900s. Entry into the event is $10; however, the seance at 7:30 p.m. and investigation at 8 p.m. cost extra and have limited space. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Crown Point Community Foundation.
St. John resident Earl Gundelach said he organized the convention to not only bring together enthusiasts of the supernatural but also provide newcomers a path into the unknown.
Pete Ghrist, paranormal investigator and Griffith police officer, investigates a jail block at the Old Sheriff’s House and Jail in Crown Point. Ghrist will do a presentation on paranormal equipment and highlighting some of the best electronic voice phenomenon recordings he and his group, Northwest Indiana Paranormal, has captured over the years at Saturday’s paranormal convention in Cedar Lake. (Anna Ortiz/Post-Tribune)
“That’s the idea, which is why it’s open to the public,” Gundelach said. “So people can come out and see for themselves. It’s not my intent to push my beliefs on anyone, but really to open up possibilities and explore what’s out there.”
Gundelach said the building has a history that started in the early 1900s when the Armour Brothers had a hand in the local ice trade and meat packing company when it served as a slaughterhouse. Since then, it had many uses, including a YMCA, a theater and a restaurant/bar.
Jack Chavez, of Chicago, is one of the eight speakers at the convention. He is presenting on folklore and strange sightings throughout Indiana.
Great Oaks Events and Banquets opened in 1972 but the building dates back to the early 1900s when it was a slaughterhouse for the Armour Brothers company. (Anna Ortiz/Post-Tribune)
“The great part about it is when you have these paranormal conventions, it brings different aspects of the paranormal together,” Chavez said. “You bring in the ufologists and people who study unknown creatures like cryptids and people in the ghost field. It’s great for the public to see so many different fields and it’s great watching people interacting with vendors and seeing people asking questions. That’s why it’s important to have presenters talk about different aspects of the paranormal. And you can tell from their eyes- people’s eyes are full of curiosity. It’s that bridging of the minds, and I think that’s important. And that’s what these paracons do. They help network people.”
Some of the interesting things Chavez dug up on Hoosier history include claims to the legend of “Bloody Mary,” the haunted car of James Dean, black panther sightings in the state and more. Chavez hosts the Chicago Paranormal Conference every summer and is an avid researcher of regional folklore.
“You’d be surprised about how many interesting things that you can find in small towns and rural places,” Chavez said. “Every time I go to these small towns, I always do my research into the history of places and I always find a plethora of historical things, and some interesting stories, too.”
Mike McDowell, of Portage, is speaking on the topic of psychic self-defense when exploring paranormal hot spots and is also discussing tips on touring destinations with renowned supernatural history. McDowell has been everywhere from Key West, Florida, to San Antonio, Texas to seek out paranormal tours and historical sites — taking note of the good, the bad and the spooky.
“Going to ghost tours for 25-plus years and being an investigator myself, I have a unique perspective,” McDowell said. “I’ve talked to tour guides afterwards on the side to give them some advice, and some will even ask me, ‘Am I doing it correctly?’ It’s kind of interesting, and there are so many different tour companies out there now. I also run into some neat guys and ladies who are doing a great job and they use paranormal equipment and work that into the experience, while also educating people properly about it.”
McDowell said he is glad to see a paranormal convention debut in Northwest Indiana, where he runs his own company, Chaos Haunted and Historical Tours, which takes patrons through Lake and Porter counties to haunted locations. He said interest in the tours has grown so much recently, that he is looking to do spring and summer tours this year outside of his regular Halloween season. Likewise, with the tours, he hopes the convention will spark more interest into the unknown.
“This gives people that outlet to explore things that might be newer to them,” McDowell said. “What does this information mean, and how can they take it one step further down the rabbit hole of the paranormal? Come out to hear some speakers and talk to people who have been in the field and have a lot of experience. And we are happy to share that information with people, share stories, and share what we know.”
Paranormal investigator and Griffith police officer Pete Ghrist will also be doing a presentation on paranormal equipment and highlighting some of the best electronic voice phenomenon recordings he and his group — Northwest Indiana Paranormal — have captured over the years.
“Although there have been many paranormal events in NWI, this is the first I can remember that is calling itself a Paracon,” Ghrist said. “It is important to have these types of events because paranormal investigating is not just about ‘ghost hunting,’ it is about supporting the continued operation and restoration efforts of the historical locations we visit, and remembering the people who came before us.”
One of the benefits of the convention will be to support those who run and work at the Great Oaks Events and Banquets Center, Gundelach said.
“I’d like to try to host the convention here annually, and also make sure Great Oaks is making what they need,” he said. “So it’s also about keeping them alive and supporting their business. ..That’s something that’s important to the paranormal community, too, preserving these places.”
On Saturday, the space will be filled with not only arts and crafts vendors and paranormal presenters, but also psychic mediums and tarot card readers. In addition, there will be Great Oaks’ fried chicken and other food offerings, refreshments and a cash bar.
More information can be found on the “NWI Paracon” Facebook page and tickets can be purchased in advance on Eventbrite. Great Oaks Events and Banquets can be reached at 219-374-8000.
Anna Ortiz is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
