Here is the Haunted Attraction Industry News for December 13th.
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Conventions & Mixers
Transworld’s Halloween & Attractions Show recently posted their seminar offerings for 2023. Highlights include: C.H.A.O.S. Safety Seminar (Presented by the Haunted Attraction Association) on Thursday, February 2nd from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; Foundations of Fear: The Beginners Guide to Developing, Starting, and Sustaining Your Growth in Today’s Haunted Attraction Market! (Presented bySpencer Terry, Heidi Dunfield, and Rob Dunfield of The Fear Factory) on Thursday, February 2nd from 12:45 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.; Deadly Distressing Costumes: Make it Ooze, Puss & Drip (Presented by Rob O’Brian of ResirWrecked Costumes) on Friday, February 3rd from 10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.; How to Incorporate Movie Quality Makeup into Your Attraction! (Presented by Michael Burnett of Frightnight Studios) on Friday, February 3rd from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.; Staffing Secrets: The Keys and Structure to Hiring, Retaining and Building a Team That is Loyal, Proud and Passionate! (Presented by Spencer Terry, Heidi Dunfield, and Rob Dunfield of The Fear Factory) on Saturday, February 4th from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; and Horrifying Realism: The Nightmarish Set Painting and Detailing of Brian Demski (Presented by Brian Demski of Demski Creations) on Saturday, February 4th from 3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. View the full list of seminars on Transworld’s official website. Individual seminars range in price from $20 – $75, or attendees can purchase seminar packages starting at $250 for a Seminar 5-Pack or $550 for a Seminar Super Pack (which includes access to all seminars except the C.H.A.O.S. safety seminar and Holiday Lighting Installers Series).
Holiday horror comes to Conroe, Texas, December 17th – 18th with TerrorFest: A Christmas Horror Convention at the Lonestar Convention Center. Produced by Silverback Events, a production company specializing in immersive attendee-based experiences, TerrorFest features a variety of unique interactive activities. Attendees have the opportunity to act in a horror movie filming at the event, rock on with local talent in a Battle of the Bands, and visit a plethora of artists & vendors on the show floor. There will also be a Costume Contest, Selfie Stations, Escape Rooms, Haunted House, Celebrity signings, Gaming Room, Macabre Artists, Vendors, and much more! There is a Special FX Worshop at 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 17th ($35 per person). The workshop will cover distressing & weathering costumes, Monster clay and prosthetic wound sculpting, prosthetic applications/removals, and hands-on zombification (which will then be featured on-screen in the horror movie filmed onsite). “We are providing a channel of creativity, opportunity, and annual fun! All I know is that if you love Christmas, horror, meeting celebrities, live music, games, endless unique shopping, then you must come experience this event!” said event organizer Chris Carson. Tickets are on sale now starting at $25 – $30 for single day tickets and $50 for a weekend pass.
The next Ohio Haunters Association meeting will take place on Sunday, January 22nd, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. EST at the Ohio State Reformatory. Come for a chance to meet other haunters, network, and have some amazing food provided by Pyle Hazard. This meeting’s featured speaker is Bobbi Jo Gonzales, who will discuss makeup for haunts. The event will also feature a donated items raffle, 50/50 raffle, shirts for sale, and a tour of the Ohio State Reformatory. A link for an online version of the meeting will be posted to the event Facebook page on a later date.
U.S. Haunts & Events
Prosecutors have charged two men who allegedly broke into Planet Doom Haunted House (Idaho Falls, ID) on July 15th and stole over $4,000 worth of items. Trenton Mann (22 years old) was charged with felony grand theft, felony burglary, and misdemeanor malicious injury to property. Andrew Holt (20 years old) was charged with felony grand theft and felony burglary. According to police reports, Mann and Holt gained access to the haunt through the roof and were inside for over an hour. The stolen items included masquerade masks and cash. Holt is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on December 20th. Mann is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on January 4th.
This holiday season Krampus is coming for you at Strangest Things Farms (Eugene, OR). The haunt presents its Christmas horror event “Krampus Nights” every Friday and Saturday through December 31st. Evil elves, Evil Santa’s Purge Girls, and Evil Santa will be spreading Christmas fear along with creatures inspired by horror classics such as Killer Klowns from Outer Space, The Ring, Return of the Living Dead, Alien vs. Predator, Resident Evil, Silent Hill, The Conjuring Universe, The Exorcist, and more. Tickets are $22 for General Admission, $33 for Fast Pass.
This weekend is your last chance to visit Nightmare on Edgewood (Indianapolis, IN) for the holiday season with their Christmas haunt, Holiday Nightmares. Join Nightmare on Edgewood Saturday, December 17th from 7 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. to view all three haunts (Containment, Charlie’s Revenge, and Conley Farm) with a special holiday twist. You’ll be in true jingle hell as you work through festive holiday horror and carnage scenes. Nightmare on Edgewood celebrated its 45th season in 2022. Learn more about the haunt and the challenges they faced this past season in our recent Haunted Attraction Network interview with owner Kevin Cook.
Sugarmynt Gallery (South Pasadena, CA) will host a very Tim Burton Xmas Party on Saturday, December 17th from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The event celebrates its Deadly Nightshade Tim Burton Tribute Exhibit, which features artwork, decorations, and photo ops inspired by Burton’s distinctive style. There will be a movie screening, spooky Christmas photo ops, and taco catering during the event. Tickets are on sale now, starting at $15 for General Admission and $22 for admission and food (a taco plate with rice and beans and a drink). The Deadly Nightshade exhibition runs on select dates through December 31st. Tickets are available at the door for $10.
Revenge Of, a Comic Bookstore & Pinball Arcade in Los Angeles, California, will host a Krampus Village on Saturday, December 17th from 3:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The event includes a holiday shopping village with The Secret Headquarters, Time Travel Mart, Velvet Apparition, The Worn Trail, and delicious pizza from Alphabet City Pizza. Stay warm after all the chills and thrills with free hot cocoa. Admission is free.
Haunted Attraction Association
The Haunted Attraction Association is now accepting applications for open Board of Directors positions. Any HAA member in good standing that has been an owner/operator of a Commercial Haunt or Amusement Park/Zoo for at least 5 years is welcome to participate in the election process. Board Members are expected to attend monthly meetings, complete a skills assessment, recruit new members, coordinate auction donations, participate in at least 1 membership resource video, and conduct outreach to members. The nominating/application period runs through 11:59 p.m. EST, Friday, December 30th. Learn more and submit your application/nomination form here.
There is still time to apply for The Haunted Attraction Association‘s Annual Scholarships: The James K. Smith memorial scholarship, the Joe Thaler scholarship, and the Bloody Mary Makeup Scholarship. These $1,000 scholarships are available to any actor, makeup artist, or other cast or crew member of any HAA member above the Associate member level. The recipient must be accepted and/or enrolled in an accredited college or university, working toward a 2 or 4-year bachelor, associate, or other degrees. Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. EST, January 1st, 2023, and accompanied by a personalized letter of recommendation from the owner or director of a HAA member above the Associate member level. Applicants must submit at least a 300-word essay describing how their involvement with the haunted attraction industry has enhanced their life. The Scholarship Selection Committee will announce the winners during the OSCARES Awards banquet at TransWorld’s Halloween & Attractions Show (February 2023), and the funds will be awarded for the Fall 2023 semester. Applications can be submitted via the HAA’s online form.
Theme Parks
Knott’s Scary Farm (Buena Park, CA) announced the opening date for their 2023 season. Guests will be able to celebrate the event’s 50th anniversary year on select nights September 14th – October 31st, 2023. Stay tuned for more maze, show, and event announcements in the coming months.
Busch Garden’s Howl-O-Scream (Tampa, FL) will open for the 2023 season select nights September 8th – October 31st. Check the event’s official website in the coming months for more event announcements. Job postings & scare actor information will be posted to Busch Garden’s hiring website in the summer of 2023.
The Haunted Mine Drop in Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park (Glenwood Springs, CO) will re-open in 2023 after a re-theme by Creative Visions. The attraction features a 120′ drop into the underground caverns at the park. While the original attraction lived up to its “Haunted Mine Drop” name with a dark, gritty theme, the new theming will encompass a bright and fun atmosphere, incorporating crystals. Learn more by listening to our recent interview with Mark McDonough, founder of Creative Visions.
Vendors
VFX specializes in interactive and wearable puppets, props, and electronics. They are now taking orders for the 2023 haunt season. In a recent Haunted Attraction Network interview, owner Patrick Voss discussed their new offerings. Learn more about their latest releases and featured products on their official website. Order now for 2023 and save 10% with the discount code VFX2023.
Distortions Unlimited has released its first prop for the 2023 haunt season: After Midnight. The perfect prop for a classic horror movie fan, After Midnight is a professional, life-size standing prop sculpted by Jordu Schell and inspired by Lon Chaney’s character in the silent horror film, London After Midnight. Standing over 6 feet tall, this prop is made of high-quality latex and is foam filled with an armature inside. It has a metal stand and a battery-powered LED lantern for added effect. The prop is priced at $574 but on sale as of December 12th for $524.
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Upcoming Events: December 2022 - February 2023
January 10 – 12: Halloween & Party Expo (Las Vegas, Nevada)
February 2 – 5: Transworld’s Halloween & Attractions Show (St. Louis, Missouri)
Holiday Haunts
13th Floor Haunted House Denver (Denver, CO) – December 16 – 17
13th Floor Haunted House Houston (Houston, TX) – December 16 – 17
13th Hour Haunted House (Wharton, NJ) – December 17
7 Gates Screampark (Niagara Falls, NY) – December 16 – 17
AMS Haunted Attractions (Maryville, TN) – December 16 – 17
Asylum 49 (Tooele, UT) – December 16 – 17
The Asylum OK (Nowata, OK) – December 17
Asylum X (Fort Smith, AR) – December 16 – 17
Bayville Scream Park (Bayville, NY) – December 16 – 18
Brighton Asylum (Passaic, NJ) – December 17
Cinema of Horrors Haunted House (Kelso, WA) – December 16 – 17
Crooked Descent Haunted Attraction (Herkimer, NY) – December 16 – 17
Dark Hour (Plano, TX) – December 16 – 17
The Darkness (St. Louis, MO) – December 17
Dread Hollow (Chattanooga, TN) – December 31, January 7
Dungeon of Doom Haunted House (Zion, IL) – December 16 – 17
Edge of Darkness Haunted House (Berea, KY) – December 17
Eye for Horror (Long Island, NY) – December 17-18
Factory of the Dead (Saginaw,MI) – December 17
Fear Columbus (Columbus, OH) – December 16 – 18
The Fear PDX Haunted House (Portland, OR) – December 16 – 17
Foukelore Slaughterhouse (Gravesville, AR) – December 16 – 17
The Funhouse Haunt (Bluff City, TN) – December 16 – 17, 30 – 31
Fright Haven (Stratford, CT) – December 17
Fright Nights at The Resort at Glade Springs (Daniels, WV) – December 17
Hackney Haunts (Westminster, MD) – December 16 – 17
The Haunted Hotel KY (Louisville, KY) – December 17
The Hauntings of Boogeyman Haunted House (Mathis, TX) – December 16 – 17
High Desert Haunted House (Apple Valley, CA) – December 16 – 17
Hinterland Haunted Attraction (Ashley, MI) – December 17 – 18
Kims Krypt Haunted Mill Scream Park (Spring Grove, PA) – December 16 – 18
Kreepy Hollow (Bishopville, SC) – December 16 – 18
Literally A Haunted House at Culbertson Mansion (New Albany, IL) – December 16 – 17
Massacre Haunted House (Montgomery, IL) – December 16 -17
Midnight Terror (Oak Lawn, IL) – December 16 – 18
Nashville Nightmare (Nashville, TN) – December 16 – 17
NecroManor Haunted House (Bossier City, LA) – December 16 – 17
Necropolis Underground Haunted Attractions (Indianapolis, IN) – December 17
Nightmare Acres (South Windsor, CT) – December 17
The Nightmare Chamber (Medford, OR) December 16 – 18, 22 – 23
Nightmare Harvest Haunted Trail (Ripley, MS) – December 17
Nightmare Manor (Middletown, OH) – December 16 – 17
Nightmare on Edgewood (Indianapolis, IN) – December 17
Nightmares on the Rogue (Medford, OR) – December 16 – 18, 22 – 23
Nowhere Haunted House (Inver Grove Heights, MN) December 16 – 17
Plantation Blood (Augusta, GA) – December 16 – 17
Rotten Manor (Holly, MI) – December 16 – 17
ScareHouse (Tarentum, PA) – December 16 – 17
Scream Hollow Wicked Halloween Park (Smithville, TX) – December 16 – 17
Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail (Plant City, FL) December 16 – 18
The Slaughterhouse Haunted Attraction (Des Moines, IA) – December 17
Spooky Bottom Haunted Trail (Seagrove, NC) – December 16 – 17
Strangest Things Haunted Farm (Eugene, OR) – December 16 – 17, 23 – 24, 30 – 31
Terror Manor (Roanoke, VA) – December 16 – 17
Terror on the Coast (Gulfport, MS) – December 16 – 17
Trail of Fear (Lawton ,OK) – December 15 – 18
Yuma Nightmares (Yuma, AZ) – December 13 – 17, 20 – 24, 27 – 30
Zombie Safari (Forney, TX) – December 16 – 17
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