Here is the Haunted Attraction Industry News for June, 27th.
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U.S. Haunts & Events
The Mall of America (Bloomington, MN) and American Monsters are set to open a new haunt this Halloween season: “Onionhead’s Revenge”. The 45,000 square foot immersive haunt will bring together dozens of live scare-actors and legendary creatures in terrifyingly evocative sets, combined with media-based scare moments, theatrical lighting, special effects, and an original soundtrack that will transport guests into a never-before-experienced realm of horror. The attraction will also feature specialty bars with themed cocktails and food. “More than a great haunt, this is truly an exciting night out. After a shot of Liquid Courage, guests will step inside a world of creepy Louisiana bayous and graveyards, to come face-to-face with supernatural terror and a creature out for revenge,” said Charlotte Huggins, CEO of American Monsters. Thrill seekers can expect tickets to go on sale early August with this new haunt running September 15th – October 31st, 2023.
Join Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group (North Hollywood, CA) for the return of their cult hit Camp Whitsit. For four nights only (June 30th, July 1st, 7th, & 8th), this all-new scary and psychedelically-whimsical haunted coming-of-age immersive experience invites you to survive a night in the woods. Camp Counselors will vigorously guide courageous campers and tenderfoot scouts through a journey of initiation and worldly merit, all in the pursuit of ascension to 1st Class Scout status! Camp Whitsit is a 30-minute, full-contact theatrical immersive journey that explores the horrific wonders of nature and adolescent humanity. Directed by Brandon Slezak and Produced by Zombie Joe, this performance is for audiences ages 18+. Tickets are available now for $20 in advance or $25 at the door.
Conventions & Mixers
Midsummer Scream announced another exciting panel this week. On Sunday, July 28th, The Walt Disney Studios will present Happy Haunts Materialize! Behind the Scenes of Disney’s Haunted Mansion. This special apparition from regions beyond will include Jonathan Eirich, Producer; Jeffrey Kurland, Costume Designer; and Phillip Bartell, Editor. Hosted by Lauren and Trevor Shand, and Leone D’Antonio from The Boo Crew Podcast, the group of frightful filmmakers will discuss bringing Haunted Mansion to the big screen while sharing behind-the-scenes anecdotes and insight about the process of re-imagining one of the world’s most famous attractions into a brand-new motion picture experience. Midsummer Scream will occur July 28th – 30th at the Long Beach Convention Center. Tickets are on sale now with single-day adult admission passes starting at $35 to $140 for a three-day VIP “Gold Bat” pass.
June 30th is the last day of early bird pricing for this year’s Weekend of Frights 2023 Houston Terror Tours. This year’s tour will visit Purgatory Scream Park, 13th Floor Haunted House Houston, Terror Isle Adventures, Creepy Hollow, and Phobia Haunted House over the course of three days, October 6th – 8th. Early bird tickets are $205. On July 1st, the price will increase to $215.
Workshops
AZ Haunters will host a Laser Cut Tombstone & Finishing class on Saturday, July 15th in Mesa, Arizona. Tombstones will be pre-cut and engraved prior to the class. The class will include a demonstration on the laser cutting and engraving process, with an overview of how the machine works and how to become lab-certified to use the laser cutter. Then participants will be able to finish their own engraved tombstones – with lessons on basic painting, cracking, distressing, and other aging effects. The cost is $25.50 per tombstone. Interested individuals can sign up via their online form.
Terror Vault (San Francisco, CA) is hosting their first Scare Actor’s Workshop on Saturday, August 6th from 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. This free workshop is open to anyone interested in learning the art of crafting a truly terrifying haunt performance. The event will also double as a casting call for their 2023 show, “The Initiation”, for those who are interested in joining their team for the Halloween season. To register for the workshop, please email [email protected].
Retail
Party City debuted their new Fall 2023 Animatronics. The sneak peak included two larger-than-life 12ft tall animatronics – a Wendigo and Towering Pumpkin Creep (both for $500). Other new additions include a 6ft tall Texas Chainsaw Massacre Leatherface, 9ft tall Dropdown Scarecrow, and 9.5ft “The Mega Wolf”. In total, the company will offer 11 new animatronics for this Halloween season. They are not yet on sale, but will be made available for purchase online with in-store pickup in the Fall.
Jobs
Panic Attack Haunted Attraction (Nakina, NC) is now hiring for their 2023 build season. Positions are available for set designers, laborers, construction workers/carpenters.
The Dent Schoolhouse (Cincinnati, OH) is now accepting applications for scareactors, makeup artists, concessions team, parking attendants, security, and more. Interested applicants should fill out the haunt’s online employment form.
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Upcoming Events: June - August 2023
July 15 – 16, 2023: Texas Haunters Convention (Mesquite, Texas)
July 21 – 23, 2023: HorrorWeen Con Idaho (Boise, Idaho)
July 28 – 30, 2023: Midsummer Scream (Long Beach, California)
July 29 – 30, 2023: Ghosts of Summer (Portland, Oregon)
Spring / Summer Haunts
July
AMS Haunted Attractions (Maryville, TN) – July 8
Blood Prison (Mansfield, OH) – July 14 – 16
Cinema of Horrors Haunted House (Kelso, WA) – July 14 – 16
Everhaunt (Angola, NY) – July 21
Auditions / Casting Calls
Arx Mortis (Killen, AL) – Ongoing
Creatures of the Night at ZooTampa (Tampa, FL) – Ongoing
Crooked Descent (Herkimer, NY) – Ongoing
Dark Nights at Hershey Park (Hershey, PA) – June 27 (Lancaster, PA), 28 (Pittsburgh, PA), July 14 (Orlando, FL), 26 (Atlanta, GA)
The Darkness (St. Louis, MO) – August 16, 17, 28,29, September 5, 6, 9, 16
Darkside Haunted Estates (Middlesex, NC) – Ongoing
The Dent Schoolhouse (Cincinnati, OH) – Ongoing
Demon Acres (Hannibal, NY) – August 27
Eloise Asylum (Westland, MI) – July 14, 15, August 11, 12
Erebus Haunted Attraction (Pontiac, MI) – August 19, 26, 29, 30, September 1
Extreme Fear ScareGrounds (Kinston, NC) – Ongoing
Field of Screams KY (Brandenburg, KY) – August 19
Fright Nights WV (Daniels, WV) – Ongoing
Hinterland Haunted Attraction (Ashley, MI) – Ongoing
Lake Hickory Haunts (Hickory, NC) – June 28
Nightmare Cleveland (Cleveland, OH) – Ongoing
Scream Hollow (Smithville, TX) – Ongoing
Southern Screams (North Charleston, SC) – July 28, 29
Terror Vault (San Francisco, CA) – August 6
UNDead in the Water (Tampa, FL) – July 27, 29
Woods of Terror (Greensboro, NC) – Ongoing
Podcast Episodes You Might Be Interested In
LIVE from Midwest Haunters Convention 2023
We’re in Chicago for the Midwest Haunters Convention, recapping learnings from the weekend. We’re also looking at the upcoming Halloween announcements from Disneyland, Ocean Park in Hong Kong, and Knott’s Scary Farm.
News Roundup: “The Last of Us” at Halloween Horror Nights and Terror Roulette
Read more here.
Partner Stations
Craving more haunt goodness? We’re thrilled to be partnered with HaunTopic Radio, ScareTrack, The Scare Factor, and A Scott in the Dark. Give them a listen.
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