Correspondent photo / John Patrick Gatta... The costume contest winners at Saturday’s Halfway to Halloween Horror Fest at Penguin City Brewing Company in downtown Youngstown, are, from left, first-place winner Tim Bolton of Cortland as Jason Voorhees from “Friday the 13th,” 2nd place winner Aaron Smith of Washingtonville as Pennywise from “It” and 3rd place winner Joseph Mead of Lisbon as Freddy Krueger from “A Nightmare on Elm Street.”

YOUNGSTOWN — A lifelong love of horror films led artist Justin Haines of Niles to develop a clothing and accessories brand.

Celebrating the 15th year of his Dead Ink Apparel company, he created the two-day Halfway to Halloween Horror Fest, which made its debut over the weekend at Penguin City Brewing Company in downtown Youngstown.

“I used to go all the time (to horror conventions) as a fan and told myself, ‘I want to be a part of this,'” he said.

His interest in the film genre began when a 4-year-old Haines watched scary movies with his father. “He claims I ‘snuck them’ when he fell asleep.”

“I transitioned from dinosaurs to the Loch Ness Monster, right into all monsters,” Haines said. “The first horror film that I remember making a true impression on me was called ‘The Monster Squad.’ My mom brought it home for me on VHS from Phar-Mor — still have my original copy — and I watched it daily for what seemed like years.”

He added, “I liked a lot of monster films. Always enjoyed movies with little creatures like ‘Ghoulies’ and ‘Critters.’ Over time, it’s evolved more into the slasher genre.”

For Joe Zbiegien of Parma, his passion for horror films became a cathartic experience. “It always sounds weird when I explain it to people. I grew up as a very scared kid. I never felt safe. I was afraid of the dark and I had some bad things happen as a child. First time I watched “Friday the 13th’, at the end when there’s the jump scare, it scared me so badly that I was like, ‘OK, this is a fear I can control. This is something I can use to not be scared.’ So, I started using horror that way.

“Then, I just fell in love with how different it is. It’s a different way of looking at things, and it gives me a feeling inside that some people get from romantic comedies. I enjoy this stuff, so much and it makes me feel safe,” Zbiegien said.

While he enjoys the numerous subgenres of horror movies, he noted that, “Friday the 13th” was where he got his start.

“So, that’ll always be close to my heart. I also love Christmas horror because I love taking something normal and twisting it and making it different,” he said.

Zbiegien traveled more than an hour to the fest not only because of his interest in horror films, but he wanted the opportunity to meet actor Miko Hughes, who attended as the featured guest, signed autographs and did a Q&A session.

“I love the movie ‘Pet Sematary.’ I love (its author) Stephen King. So, the chance to meet him was too much to pass up,” Zbiegien said.

Hughes had a pivotal role in the original “Pet Sematary” and also appeared in films and TV, including “Wes Craven’s New Nightmare,” “Spawn,” “Kindergarten Cop,” “Full House,” “Mercury Rising” and “Apollo 13.”

A frequent participant on the horror convention circuit, Hughes said, “It’s fascinating how horror is this terrifying thing and then the scene is so friendly. It’s so cool that there’s a subculture behind it. I’m so thankful to have been a part of something that people remember and doing this all these years later.”

Haines continues his horror ways with another Halfway to Halloween event later this month in Medina. Locally, the entrepreneur will, once again, run the Sinister Horror Fest at the Skyway Drive-In in Warren in October.