Tampa Bay Screams Celebrates ‘The Munsters’ with Free Meet and Greet

A slice of classic television horror nostalgia is set to take centre stage in Florida this weekend, as fans prepare to gather for a special in-person event celebrating two enduring cult favourites. Butch Patrick, best known for playing Eddie Munster in The Munsters, will appear alongside veteran TV horror host Dr. Paul Bearer for a free meet-and-greet event in St. Petersburg.

Taking place on Saturday 21 March at Ferg’s Sports Bar & Grill, the event is presented by the Tampa Bay Screams Horror Convention as part of its tenth anniversary celebrations. Organisers are positioning the evening as both a tribute to genre history and an accessible fan gathering, with free admission encouraging a broad audience to attend.

Patrick’s role as Eddie Munster, the mischievous young member of the gothic sitcom family, remains one of the most recognisable images of 1960s television. The show has continued to enjoy repeat broadcasts and a dedicated fan base across generations, helping to cement its place within popular culture. Patrick’s career also extends beyond the series, with appearances in projects such as Lidsville and the animated adaptation of The Phantom Tollbooth, further linking him to a wave of imaginative family entertainment from the era.

Joining him is Dr. Paul Bearer, a long-running horror host figure associated with late-night television programming. Known for presenting genre films with theatrical flair, Bearer has built a following through appearances that blend humour, macabre imagery and audience interaction. For this event, he is expected to appear in full costume, complete with hearse and casket display, adding a theatrical element to the evening.

The gathering is set to include autograph opportunities, merchandise and informal fan interactions, alongside food and drink offerings from the venue. Attendees are also encouraged to bring memorabilia connected to The Munsters or broader horror culture, reflecting the event’s emphasis on shared fandom and nostalgia.

The evening serves as a prelude to the upcoming Tampa Bay Screams Horror Convention, which returns on 8 and 9 May 2026 with an expanded programme and a new venue in Clearwater. The convention has grown steadily over the past decade, positioning itself as a platform for genre enthusiasts and independent creators.

By hosting a free-access event ahead of the main convention, organisers appear to be widening their reach and reinforcing the communal appeal of horror fandom. With recognisable figures from television history appearing in person, the St. Petersburg gathering offers a rare opportunity for audiences to connect directly with performers whose work has shaped decades of genre entertainment.

The event begins at 6pm local time on Saturday. For full details, visit: tampabayscreams.com/