Unveiling The 2024 OSCARES Winners In Haunted Attractions

OSCARES Vendor Excellence Awards:
New Business (Under 5 Years): Savage Silicone
Founded in 2020, Savage Silicone first debuted in 2021 at Transworld and has taken the internet by storm with its ‘Big Kahuna’ cheeseburger mask. While the business is new, the owner, Arthur Donaldson, has been sculpting masks since 2008.

10+ Years: Inferno Effects
Inferno Effects is best known for its durable and lightweight half masks, crafted with the scare actor in mind. Owner Adrien Noriega began in the industry as a scare actor and takes time each season to continue acting; that connection to the scaring craft informs his work.

Legacy Vendor (20+ Years): Haunted Hills Productions
The Legacy Vendor Excellence Award recognizes a company that has consistently delivered to the community for over 20 years—no small feat in this industry. The Hill family is a haunt family through and through, encompassing three generations. Beginning with haunts in the 1980s and now expanding into props, masks, and effects, Haunted Hills Productions has become an industry staple.

OSCARES Home Haunter Award:
Stanley Haus
What began as a simple display has evolved into an experience spanning eight houses over the last 23 years. Stanley Haus is an entire block, eight houses united in a single Halloween theme. And the theme changes each year. The Stanley family loves creating this display to spread the spooky, but they also use it to give back to those who serve our country. Donations from the display go to the Marines at Camp Pendleton. 
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OSCARES Board of Directors Awards:
First-Year Haunt: Terror Roulette (South Barrington, IL)
Terror Roulette is a first-year haunt that accomplished what many thought impossible—it created a new successful event in the crowded Chicago market by offering something unique. Terror Roulette blends a walkthrough with immersive theatrical elements.

Established Haunt: Terror Vault (San Francisco, CA)
Terror Vault is a two-part theatrical horror experience held in the historic San Francisco Mint. Guests arrive at the San Francisco Mint and enjoy the first segment – the Fang Bang – before entering into ‘The Initiation.’ The Initiation is a linear experience at the intersection of a haunt, a theatrical show, and an escape room. Guests play their part in a 60-minute story that enfolds throughout the mint; it’s a fabulous mixture of comedy, horror, jump scares, and outrageousness that has garnered a local ‘cult-like’ following.

Legacy Haunt: Fright Kingdom (Nashua, NH)
The final Board of Directors Award is reserved for haunted attractions that have become legends in their communities; this award is for the best of the best. Fright Kingdom, located in Nashua, NH, opened its doors over 20 years ago, starting with two small attractions across eight thousand square feet and about 25 cast members. Over the past 20 years, Fright Kingdom has become New England’s Largest Indoor Scream park, entertaining tens of thousands of guests across its 150,000-square-foot haunted attraction. Powered by its 130-person staff, 5 haunted attractions, a walkthrough horror museum, and an outdoor midway, Fright Kingdom delivers an immersive experience you will never forget.

OSCARES Special Recognition:

Nick & Beverly Pappas
Dubbed the official cheerleaders of the industry, it’s tough to find anyone who doesn’t know of (and has a picture with) the Pappas. The Pappas have made it a mission to travel to every East Coast haunt and connect with haunters whenever possible. The annual Pappas Haunt Tour spans 4000-6000 miles over 6 weeks each September and October. They have traveled over 65,000 miles on their Haunt Tours and attended conventions, visiting 24 States and 3 Canadian Provinces. They connect people wherever they go and have over 90,000 pictures with haunters!

Canon Beazley
After surviving a battle with cancer, this young home haunter has used his haunt to raise over $47,000 for the same children’s hospital that saved his life. Canon chose to attend Transworld this year as his wish from Make a Wish. Canon has always loved Halloween and runs the “House of Doom ” home haunt. In 2021, Canon was diagnosed and successfully treated for Wilms tumor. After Canon’s experiences with the IWK Children’s Health Center, he decided that using the thing he loves most (Halloween) to give back was a great idea. Thus, Canon’s Warrior for the IWK campaign was born and continues today.

OSARES Lifetime Achievement Award:

Ben Armstrong – Netherworld Haunted House (Stone Mountain, GA).
The Haunted Attraction Association’s highest honor is the Lifetime Achievement Award. Recipients are individuals whose contributions to the industry are fundamental to the industry itself—people without whom the industry wouldn’t be what it is. Described as the ‘undercurrent’ of the industry, Ben has spent decades protecting and nurturing the industry. Jen Thaler (President of Transworld Trade Shows) introduced this year’s recipient, Ben Armstrong. In her speech, Jen highlighted how Ben remains humble and takes time daily to help any haunter he can. In his acceptance speech, Ben spoke to the nature of haunters, their drive to build, and why making positive memories for guests is critical.