This past weekend was the 6th annual Midsummer Scream Halloween convention. Held at the Long Beach convention center, it’s a wonderful convention for fans of Halloween, haunts, scares, horror, spooky home décor, movies, and all things macabre.
“Midsummer Scream has become the kick-off of the Halloween season for an ever-growing community of fans of all things spooky,” said David Markland, co-founder and executive director of Midsummer Scream. “We’re proud to feature both the biggest names in horror entertainment as well as hundreds of independent creators, all contributing a dynamic and unique experience for new and repeat guests.”
This year was no different. It featured a massive show floor filled with more than 350 vendors of the most ghoulishly delightful products and collectibles, perfect to have on hand for Halloween … or any time of year when the spirit moves you.
Panels ranging from movies, retrospective films, haunts, Q&As with horror icons and legends and what most people wait for is the sneak peeks at what’s coming this Halloween season from Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights and Six Flags Magic Mountain’s Fright Fest plus Thirteenth Floor Entertainment who are the creators of the L.A. Haunted Hayride, Delusion, and Shaqtoberfest.
Knott’s Scary Farm is celebrating its 50th anniversary of scaring southern California this year. During this presentation, we learned about a big “Legacy” tribute gift shop, plus a very cool interactive lantern that will be available at the haunt, and we were introduced to a new character called The Keeper (inspired by the legendary Sinister Seymour), who will host a new maze. In this year’s celebration they will be going all out: new mazes, new foods, huge celebration of their 50 years inspired merch only available this season. Knott’s is going to be the place to be this Halloween season.
Universal Horror Nights also gave us a sneak peek into their haunts season too. On hand to tell us about it was Horror Nights creative director John Murdy. He big announcement was the new maze based on the folklore creatures of Lain America: “Monstruos: The Monsters of Lain America”. Which looks fantastic! And each year Universal like to pay tribute to their Universe monsters with a new house based on their movies. This years’ is called “Unmasked” featuring classic monsters as The Phantom of the Opera, Hunchback, Jekyll * Hyde and The Invisible Man. Should be a great HHN year full of screams and scares.
One of the highlights of Midsummer Scream is usually the Hall of Shadows, an immersive experience where local and regional haunted attraction creators come to scare guests. This year the entrance theme to the hall was Dungeons and Dragons. Dragons, dice, and beholders all around. A good scary time was had in this year’s hall. Never unintimate the creativity of Halloween fans.
Yet again, Midsummer Scream proves it’s the best Halloween/Horror con around. With all their special events, never-before seen things, great venders, and a wonderful welcoming vibe this is one of my favorites cons I look forward to each year.