The Haunted Attraction Network is excited to share the results from this evening’s 2025 OSCARES Awards, held during TransWorld’s Halloween & Attractions Show in St. Louis. As producers of this year’s ceremony, we had a front-row seat to the energy and excitement that filled the room while celebrating the best and brightest in the haunted attraction industry.
This year’s crowd was standing room only, and the first 100 attendees received swag bags, coordinated by co-chair Ashley Long. A new surprise award and category was announced this year – The Spirit of Leadership – read more below.
By the way, nominations for 2026 are now open.
About the 2025 OSCARES Awards
Widely considered the highest honors in the Halloween and Haunted Attraction world, the OSCARES Awards recognize excellence across multiple categories. Nominees and winners are selected by the Haunted Attraction Association’s Board of Directors and peers, focusing on innovation, creativity, efficiency, product development, and impactful contributions to the industry. This year, vendors and attractions were split into New, Established, and Legacy categories. Except for Cyclone Signs, each honoree attended in person and gave a short acceptance speech on stage.
Anyone, whether they are a member or not, can attend the OSCARES for FREE, and the event is catered by the Association. A cash bar is also available.
2025 OSCARES Winners and Their Stories
Below are the full introductions delivered during tonight’s ceremony, giving you an inside look at each recipient’s background and accomplishments.
Vendor Excellence Awards
Vendor Excellence Award (Under 5 Years): Sithon
Founded in 2021, Sithon has rapidly emerged as a leader in actor management, offering a platform that covers everything from actor recruitment and scheduling to communication. The founder, Justin Blackburn, brings 14 years of haunt industry experience—including scare acting, management, and consulting—to this sophisticated tool. It’s no wonder this newcomer is quickly becoming a go-to resource for haunted attractions seeking to streamline their operations. Justin was here in person to accept and share his vision for the future of actor management.
Vendor Excellence Award (Established): Cyclone Signs
Cyclone Signs was established in 2018 in Dallas, specializing in custom, creatively themed signage for the entertainment industry. Despite not being able to attend this evening, their reputation for high-quality, eye-catching designs that immerse guests in another world earned them well-deserved recognition. They’ll be receiving their award by mail—congratulations to the Cyclone Signs team!
Vendor Excellence Award (20+ Years): Distortions Unlimited
The Legacy category recognized Distortions Unlimited, founded in 1978 by Ed Edmunds and joined in 1988 by Marsha Taub-Edmunds. For more than 46 years, they’ve been “making monsters” and thrilling audiences with top-notch props, masks, and animatronics. Ed and Marsha took the stage to accept the award, thanking the talented crew that helped solidify their decades-long impact on the haunt industry.
Home Haunter Award: Rotten Apple 907
A highlight of the evening was honoring Rotten Apple 907, a Southern California home haunt famous for its elaborate painting, prop building, and thematic reinvention every Halloween. Featured in documentaries like The Haunters Movie and Epic Home Haunts, Rotten Apple 907 has raised more than $78,000 for local charities. Diane and Preston, the masterminds behind it all, delivered an energetic speech, crediting their success to the broader home-haunt community and their collaboration with CalHaunts.
2025 OSCARES Board of Directors Awards
First Year Haunt: Hera’s Nightmare
Maryland’s newest haunted attraction, Hera’s Nightmare, debuted with three spine-chilling experiences in Westminster’s TownMall. Owner Carlos Rivas—who unfortunately couldn’t attend—brought post-apocalyptic zombies (Containment X), underworld battles (Reign of Darkness), and time-traveling terror (The Curse of Hexen Hollow) to life with advanced animatronics and immersive storytelling. Though Carlos was absent, he shared clips that showcased his team’s dedication to crafting an unforgettable first season.
Established Haunt: Traumatica at Europa Park
Formerly known as Terenzi Horror Nights, Traumatica grew from a single haunt in 2007 to a massive event featuring seven haunts, an ice show, after-hours experiences, and two nightclubs. Drawing over 70,000 guests a season, it has become one of Germany’s largest Halloween attractions. Ines and the team traveled from Europa Park to accept this award, sharing how they’ve continued expanding and evolving Traumatica to thrill international audiences.
Legacy Haunt: Field of Screams MT
For 26 years, Field of Screams MT has anchored Montana’s haunt scene. From modest beginnings as a corn maze, this family-run attraction evolved into a Halloween tradition with daytime amusements like the Pla-HAY-ground and hayrides, plus nighttime scares featuring bone cutters, a shrinking tunnel, and the new Gateway Manor Haunted House. Accepting in person, the Kirkland family praised their community for supporting an ever-growing vision of spooky fun.
Special Recognition Awards
TJ Mannarino: With 29 years at Universal Orlando Resort, eight of those as VP of Art and Design, TJ oversaw The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon ride debut, and the legendary Halloween Horror Nights. His leadership helped HHN earn 15 “Best Halloween Event” Golden Ticket Awards, among countless other accolades.
Spencer Terry (Spirit of Leadership): The Board introduced a brand-new category this year to honor outgoing HAA President Spencer Terry. Recognizing his extraordinary service, volunteerism, and leadership in shaping the haunt community. During the presentation, a video played of various haunt leaders explaining what spencer has meant to the industry. Terry accepted the award amid thunderous applause – and we at the Haunted Attraction Network agree.
2025 OSCARES Lifetime Achievement Award: Timothy Gavinski
The night concluded with Timothy Gavinski receiving the industry’s highest honor. Timothy was introduced by 2024 Lifetime Achievment Recipient – Joe Thaler. Timothy is a distinguished figure in the haunted attraction industry, renowned for his over decades long tenure as the owner of the award-winning Wisconsin Fear Grounds. Under his leadership, the attraction consistently ranked among the nation’s top haunted events. Gavinski’s innovative approach included a modular design that ensured adaptability and immersion. He authored “The Itty-Bitty Book Series,” and was president of the Haunted Attraction Association.
Midway through the ceremony, we took time to honor those who had passed away this past year and to cheer on the next generation.
- Adolfson, Tonya (59) – Darkness Con
- Alford, Matt (50) – RED VEIN
- Allen, Nancy (69) – Castle Blood & Scarevania
- Arties, Michael (74) – Dark Hour Haunted House
- Ashley, Cody (19) – Nyctophobia
- Dameron, Elizabeth (22) – Hexed Haunted Attraction
- Fonzarelli, Rocco – Fear Factory SLC
- Franklin, Bernice (65) – Face FX / Grex
- Head, Baylee (22) – Arx Mortis
- Hayes, Robert (53) – Doc Wilkes House of Horrors
- Kopelman, Steve
- Levorsen, Dan L. (53) – Castle of Chaos
- Murphy, Karen L. – Various conventions
- Palmer, Hanah M. (25) – Culbertson Manor
- Plott, Douglas (54) – Scare A Torium
- Reed, James (38) – Wicked World Scareground
- Roberts, Ed – West Coast Haunters Convention
- Sandoval, Rowley “Squeaks” (37) – Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor
- Shenaman, Randy (61) – Niles Scream Park
- Stone, Aj – Spooky World Presents Nightmare New England
- Thomas, Rebecca (60) – Nyctophobia
- Woodle, Sue (57) – Aura Haunted House
- Zagone, Phil (85) – Zagone Studios
Scholarships
- James K. Smith Memorial Scholarship: Abigail Birdsall
- Joe Thaler Scholarship: Harrison Gamble
- Bloody Mary Makeup Scholarship: Tanya Richter-Barrera
Looking Ahead
The OSCARES spotlight the haunted attraction industry’s wide range of creativity, innovation, and community involvement. The Haunted Attraction Network congratulates all of the 2025 winners, thanks the sponsors—especially Froggy’s Fog—and looks forward to another stellar season of Halloween frights. If you know someone worthy of next year’s awards, nominate them here.
Curious about last year? Review the 2024 OSCARES winners here. The 2023 Presentation is also available here.
For more coverage, photos, and interviews from tonight’s ceremony, stay tuned to the Haunted Attraction Network. We’ll be posting a full video replay and behind-the-scenes stories in the coming days.
