If your ideal weekend involves haunted prisons, celebrity ghost hunters, psychics, UFO investigators, and maybe a conversation about Bigfoot, you’re in luck.
ParaPsyCon is returning to the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield from May 15 through May 17, turning one of Ohio’s most famously haunted buildings into a full-blown paranormal convention.
Yes, the convention takes place inside the same prison that served as Shawshank in The Shawshank Redemption. And honestly, if you’re going to spend a weekend talking about ghosts, there are worse venues.
The historic reformatory has long been a bucket-list destination for paranormal fans.
It’s regularly featured on lists of America’s “most haunted” places and has been investigated by countless ghost hunting teams over the years. For one weekend in May, it’ll also be packed wall-to-wall with psychics, paranormal researchers, cryptid experts, tarot readers, UFO investigators, vendors, and fans of all things spooky.
The event includes speakers and appearances from well-known names in paranormal TV and research, including Cindy Kaza, Ben Hansen, John Zaffis, Shane Pittman, Heather Taddy, and Dr. Mireya Mayor.
Beyond the panels and meet-and-greets, attendees can sign up for after-hours ghost hunts inside the prison itself, including a celebrity-led investigation that runs until 2:30 a.m. There’s also a VIP kickoff party, psychic gallery readings, escape rooms, scavenger hunts, and enough crystals to completely reset your energy field.
Regular admission includes access to ParaPsyCon events and a self-guided tour of the prison.
Weekend passes are $50, while single-day tickets are $30 for adults.
Even if you don’t believe in ghosts, the Ohio State Reformatory is worth visiting on its own. Built in the late 1800s, the massive Gothic structure has appeared in films including The Shawshank Redemption, Air Force One, and Judas and the Black Messiah. It’s equal parts movie history, architectural landmark, and nightmare fuel.
And really, where else are you going to hear a lecture about UFOs and then immediately wander through a supposedly haunted cell block? You can learn all about the convention over at parapsycon.com.
