By John Soltes / Editor in Chief

PARSIPPANY (Oct. 29, 2009) — It’s that time of year again for northern New Jersey’s biannual feast of horror, science fiction and fantasy. It’s Chiller Theatre time, and how great that this expo featuring celebrities, toys, movie showings, concerts and more falls this year on Oct. 30, 31 and Nov. 1.

For any person with a hankering for monsters, a devotion to ghouls or a leaning toward the slightly odd, consider your Halloween plans set, because Chiller will put the chill in your weekend.

The expo, which takes place at the Hilton Parsippany in Parsippany (a short drive out Route 80), features a wide array of guests from all walks of the industry. There’s the dashing Ann-Margret, the classic Mickey Rooney and the iconic Peter Fonda for lovers of Hollywood. There’s Richard Dreyfuss of “Jaws” and “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” fame, and of course Patrick Stewart of the “X-Men” films and “Star Trek: The Next Generation.”

For those looking for more horror this Halloween, Elvira Mistress of the Dark will be on hand, as well Linda Blair of “The Exorcist.” Old TV shows your fancy? Well, Barbara Feldon — yep, Agent 99 from “Get Smart” — will be attending and signing autographs. Dawn Wells of “Gilligan’s Island” will be there, too.

Music fans, don’t worry. Davy Jones of The Monkees will be signing autographs, plus David Johansen of the New York Dolls. There will be plenty of music played live, everything from The Dead Elvi to the Tuff Darts.

The special guest for the three-day expo is Zacherley, the cool ghoul who you probably remember from your TV sets as the host of “Shock Theatre.” Zacherley is always a favorite at Chiller Theatre.

This year, Chiller will hold a special tribute for the late Michael Thomas, a make-up artist, actor, writer and vocalist, with a special showing of “House of Wolf Man.”

For kids, there’s “Make ‘n Take” hosted by Moebius Models. The event, for modelers ages 16 and under, is easy enough: you choose a kit (either “Dr. Deadly,” Frankenstein or “The Victim”), you make the model and then you can take it home. It’s free. For adults, there’s the Chiller Theatre Model Kit & Art Contest. Visit www.chillertheater.com for more details.

There will be plenty of vendors selling tons of merchandise, pretty much anything your heart desires.

The expo will run Friday, Oct. 30 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 31 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 1 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit www.chillertheatre.com for more information.

General admission tickets are $25 per day. Pre-show tickets (one-hour early access for Friday only) are $30.