Tag Archives: Halloween conventions

Review: Midsummer Scream Halloween Festival 2018 (Long Beach, CA)

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Yessssss!  It’s finally time for the Halloween convention season, and what better way to kick it off this year than with a trip to the Midsummer Scream Halloween Festival in downtown Long Beach, California!

This was my third year going to Midsummer Scream, and it keeps getting bigger and better every year.  And unfortunately more crowded.  It’s a gift and a curse.  But yes, everything that made last year’s convention stand out was back this year:  The Hall Of Shadows (individual mini haunted houses in a darkly lit massive area), The Black Cat Lounge (where you can pet and play with a bunch of adorable kittens in a creepy circus environment), and of course……all of the creepy costume-goers who roam about the area eagerly awaiting your arrival to give you a good fright.  Oh my god – here comes one now!

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Nothing gets me more into the ‘spirit’ of Halloween than a good convention, and specifically Midsummer Scream.  Focusing on the haunts and everything that is Halloween – there were also tons of vendors selling their ghoulish goodies, a picture and meet & greet opportunity with Elvira herself (Cassandra Peterson), and you could even get a hot pretzel with cheese sauce!  Ok, the last thing was not impressive – but everything else this year was.  Except the aforementioned size of the crowd, which keeps getting bigger each go around.  If they can find a way to make it a little less claustrophobic in the vending aisles, then I feel that would make a big difference.

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Other than that one little negative, Midsummer Scream was frightfully good this year and they’ve already announced next year’s dates of August 3rd & 4th!  Plenty of time to think and prepare a good costume and plenty of time to think about an escape plan if you get too scared in The Hall Of Shadows.  Spooooooooky.  Thanks again to Midsummer Scream for another BOOtiful convention!

Spooky ‘ScareLA Convention’ Turns The Lights Off This Year! (August 25 + 26th)

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‘Tis the season for horror and Halloween-themed conventions!  And one of my favorites to frequent out here in the Los Angeles area is the ScareLA convention in downtown LA. Going into it’s sixth year now, ScareLA combines everything horror + a full Halloween-time experience.  But this year……it’s going to get darker.  Literally.

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It’s been announced that ScareLA will immediately set all attendees into near darkness throughout the entire convention, giving those who are lucky enough to go a fully immersive Halloween-style experience!  Being called ‘Descend Into Darkness‘, the convention will be a first of it’s kind, not only being darkly lit throughout – but also featuring a ‘theme park feel’ as well…..including full-sized haunts, experiences, and rides. Spooooooooky and amazing!!

Now, if you can’t get to the LA area on the weekend of August 25th + 26th – then follow my Instagram story to stay connected to all of the ghostly goings-ons that will be happening (shameless plug).  If you do want to attend ScareLA in person though, then head on over to their site HERE and snatch up those tickets and get more info.  And while you’re there, use promo code INSTAMONSTER to get a discount on your tickets!  Word to the wise, this event gets PACKED – so get there early if you are going!  Happy Summerween, everybody!!!

Two Big Things Are Coming To The ‘ScareLA Convention’ In Pasadena This Weekend!

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Awwwww yeah!  ScareLA has been one of my favorite Halloween conventions for the last few years, and this year they have the one and only Elvira: Mistress Of The Dark to be the official host!  It’s all going down this weekend (August 6th & 7th) in Pasadena, California at the Pasadena Convention Center.

With Halloween only a few months away, it’s never to soon to get into the spirit (pun intended) and ScareLA has got the goods to help you out.  Tons of on-location vendors, artists, and even some special celebrity guests (in addition to Ms. Elvira) will be on hand to make sure you keep a smile on your Halloween-loving face.  And speaking again of Elvira, if you would like the once in a lifetime chance to meet the icon, you have to pre-pay for your photo/autograph chance HERE and you can find more info in general at the ScareLA website.  No tickets for the Elvira meet-and-greet will be sold onsite.  So, get on over to ScareLA if you’re in the Pasadena area this weekend and don’t forget to say trick or treat!

Review: Midsummer Scream Halloween Festival (Long Beach, CA)

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Halloween is only about 3 months away!  And if you can tell by the excitement in my voice (even though I wrote that and didn’t really speak it), then you know that I’m more than ready for all of the ghosts and ghouls to come out and inhabit their haunted houses.  Good thing that the Midsummer Scream Halloween Festival came to downtown Long Beach in California this weekend, because it definitely got me in the mood!

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The Midsummer Scream Halloween Festival is a brand new addition to the convention circuit, put on by folks who have experience in previous horror and Halloween festivals.  Being that I live in downtown Long Beach, how convenient was it that this was right up the street?  What makes Midsummer Scream different is that they have a huge section dedicated to local Southern California haunted houses, in mini form of course, so you can have a taste and see if you want to shell out the money for the real thing come Halloween time.

In addition to the bite-size editions of the haunted houses, there were tons of artists and vendors on hand selling their merchandise, stilt walkers and knee-sliders mingling with the crowd, and tasty Halloween-themed pastries.  Oh – and a few celebrities popped up like Felissa Rose (Sleepaway Camp) and David Naughton (An American Werewolf In London).  Being that this was the first year for Midsummer Scream, I would personally have to say it was a success (minus the wonky air conditioning in the convention center) and from the look of the crowd, it will return next year.  Now let’s end this with some sexy cosplay no-face nurses from Silent Hill!

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Review: ScareLA Convention (Pasadena, CA)

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With Halloween less than 3 months away, what better way to start to get into the mood than by going to a convention that caters to everything that is Halloween?  And that’s exactly what I did this past weekend at the ScareLA Convention in downtown Pasadena, California.

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Now in it’s third year, the ScareLA Convention is easily one of my favorite horror-related conventions to hit up, and this year they had a new bigger and better location at The Pasadena Convention Center.  And because of that bigger and better venue, there were bigger and better treats and surprises as well!  For instance, an entire section of the convention center was dedicated to local haunted houses, where you could stand in line and get a taste of what they had to offer by walking through mini-versions of them.  This was definitely a highlight for me, as the area really captured the Halloween spirit with fog machines, darkness, and the occasional costumed creature popping up.

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There is a ton to do at the ScareLA Convention, so you definitely won’t be bored if you decide to go when it comes back next year.  In addition to the mini haunted houses, you can check out some movie screenings or sit in on a panel like the Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights one where they announced this year that a brand new Michael Myers maze will be coming!  Numerous ghouls and ghosts walk around the convention while you stop by the many booths full of Halloween and horror-themed art, trinkets, and delicious pastries.  There is even a kiddie section set up where you can take the little ones so they can join in on the spooky fun as well.  Overall, you won’t find more bang for your buck if you’re looking to get into the Halloween sprit and the ScareLA Convention definitely keeps improving every year!

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(5 out of 5)

Review: 2014 ScareLA Convention (Los Angeles)

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Halloween is only a couple months away!  So to get into the spirit, I headed out to the 2014 ScareLA Convention in downtown Los Angeles this weekend and rubbed elbows with a bunch of ghouls and ghosts.  Oh, and I met Sid Haig too!

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Last year, ScareLA was getting it’s feet wet and you could tell that there were definitely kinks to be worked out in the end.  When I arrived on Saturday, I was pretty amazed to see the line literally wrapped around the building all the way down Broadway Avenue.  The word had clearly spread about the convention, and once I got inside (after a fairly long wait) I could see why.  Everything was way bigger and better than last year.

The most notable addition were the free haunted attractions located inside and outside of the building.  It was a nice touch, because nothing says Halloween like going through a spook house and having the shit scared out of you.  Did I mention that there was even a zombie shooting range where you could take out the undead with an airsoft rifle?

ScareLA really stepped it’s game up this year and convinced me and a lot in attendance I’m sure, that they are definitely a force to be reckoned with in the horror convention game.  What sets it apart from other convention experiences that I’ve had, is that the focus is on the fun.  Not a lot of celebrity sightings (except the aforementioned Sid Haig of course), but that’s what makes it unique.  Trust me, you’ll never get bored.

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There were seminars, free movie screenings, pumpkin carving classes, and even a show and presentation celebrating the 45th anniversary of Disney’s Haunted Mansion.  Another great aspect of ScareLA is that since it’s centered around Halloween, they encourage people to dress up.  And because of that and everything else mentioned so far, it truly is an original horror convention that you definitely should attend next year if you’re in the LA area.  Now let’s get ready for Halloween!

Review: ScareLA Convention 2013 (Los Angeles)

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Who doesn’t love Halloween?  If you just said you didn’t, then shame on you and you need to leave now.  Yes, that time of the year when all of the ghosts, goblins and slutty nurses come out to play.  And this year if you live in Los Angeles, you were able to attend the ScareLA Convention and honor and celebrate everything Halloween!   Continue reading →

ScareLA Is Bringing Halloween To Los Angeles This Weekend!

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It’s no secret that Halloween is my favorite time of the year.  So don’t you wish that there was an annual convention that would spotlight the haunted holiday with a 2-day celebration filled with all of the tricks and treats that come with it?  Good news!  Well, good news if you live in Los Angeles! (sorry everyone else).  Yes, the first annual ScareLA 2-day convention is happening this weekend August 10th and 11th in downtown LA and it’s the perfect way to kick off the Halloween season.

Now, we’re not just talking about carving pumpkins here (although there will be festivities involving that).  All of the best local haunted attraction developers and experts will be on hand to answer your questions and give you a taste of what’s to come at their attractions this year!  Speaking of which, there will be onsite haunt experiences as well, so you might want to bring a change of pants just in case.

In addition to all of that, there will be:  live professional makeup demos, hands-on workshops, food trucks, performances by local theatre entertainers, celebrities like Sid Haig, and even a happy hour so you can have a drink!  Sounds good, huh?  Head over to ScareLA.Com for more info on getting tickets, convention times, and directions.  Now who’s ready to get in the Halloween spirit?