Tag: Halloween Everyday

Knott’s Spooky Farm Celebrates the Halloween Season with Fun for Little Ones Starting September 25, 2021!

On By TimothyIn Knott's Berry FarmLeave a comment

The spooktacular family-friendly, daytime Halloween event, Knott’s Spooky Farm, invites families with little ghouls ages 3-11 to celebrate the delightfully spooky season as the park transforms with themed décor and wicked fun around every corner. The fall Season of Fun offers Halloween-themed activities that celebrate the season, including trick-or-treating, a line-up of original shows, pumpkin decorating and the brand-new Calico Carnival Costume Cavalcade. Knott’s Spooky Farm takes place on weekends, September 25 – October 31.

You can find Charlie Brown, his best friend Snoopy and the beloved PEANUTS Gang celebrating the spooky holiday with their own Halloween costumes at special meet & greets and fun photo encounters throughout Camp Snoopy. Kids ages 3 -11 can participate in a memorable trick-or-treating experience available along Ghost Town’s Main Street and Schoolhouse Road. During trick-or-treating, kids will interact with an array of spooky but friendly shopkeepers as little ones have the opportunity to show off their festive Halloween costumes. In Ghost Town, Stanley Scarecrow has opened the Livery Stable for guests of all ages to get close and personal with the Creepy Critters of Calico.

Whimsical jack-o-lanterns surround Calico Park as it changes into an enchanting Pumpkin Patch location for families to enjoy the atmosphere of the season with photo ops and crafters. Miniature pumpkins or Halloween cookies will be available for decorating for a nominal fee.  Linus can be spotted at the pumpkin patch, helping little ones pick out their very own perfect pumpkin. Gals and ghouls are in for a treat as new fun Halloween-themed shows are in store with the Bob Baker Marionette Theatre Show at Birdcage Theatre. These peculiar puppeteers will amaze all with a spooky puppet show.

At Camp Snoopy, families can hop aboard the Grand Sierra Railroad, joining Linus in the Pumpkin Patch as he and Sally await the arrival of The Great Pumpkin because Halloween isn’t complete without this timeless tale from the Peanuts Gang. Additionally, The Camp Snoopy Theater is debuting the Great Pumpkin Palooza show, where you’ll get more than a rock as you join Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the Peanuts Gang for a high-energy music tribute to the best holiday ever, Halloween.

The residents of The Timber Mountain Log Ride will celebrate the Halloween Hootenanny, which adds a family-friendly seasonal twist to a park favorite.  Mysterious creatures of Timber Mountain that live out in the woods and caverns join the citizens as they honor the season at the Halloween Hootenanny. The ride’s interior will feature fun surprises as guests venture past the Calico Coffin Creeper band, the town’s green witch and splash down Skull Mountain through a labyrinth of jack-o-lanterns. The seasonal ride will also feature an original song performed by Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies. 

At Camp Snoopy, families can hop aboard the Grand Sierra Railroad to experience a one-of-a-kind adventure with A Trip to Camp Spooky as riders travel with the PEANUTS Gang® and spot 2D and 3D Halloween themed characters and effects along the trail. 

Calico Candy Mine Ride!

The fun continues for little ones at the Calico Mine Ride with the newly added ride overlay at Calico Candy Mine Ride every Halloween as it mysteriously transforms from silver ore to pure candy. Grab a seat with your little one on the mine train for a sweet trip through a candy-filled dream. 

Little ghouls are also encouraged to strut their stuff and show off their Halloween Costumes in the Calico Carnival Costume Cavalcade hosted by the Calico Mayor and Cameo Kate at the Calico Mine Stage.

The Halloween fun is parkwide as Día de Los Muertos, ¡ViVir! takes over the Fiesta Plaza Stage. This festive show pays tribute to the Hispanic cultural celebration and traditions of Día de Los Muertos.

Knott’s Spooky Farm runs weekends September 25 – October 31 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and is included with regular park admission. For more information on all the exciting things that are going on at Knott’s Berry Farm, visit us online at knotts.com and follow the conversation using #KnottsSpookyFarm.

Knott’s Scary Farm Returns for its 48th Season with Mesmerizing New Nightmares!

On By TimothyIn Knott's Scary FarmLeave a comment

Select Dates September 16th – October 31st

Knott’s Scary Farm is the largest and most haunting Halloween experience in Southern California, with unimaginable scares and innovative thrills that can’t be found anywhere else. The fully transformed theme park encompasses a multitude of uniquely haunted mazes and attractions, sinister shows, and more than 1,000 horrifying creatures lurking in the fog and hiding in every corner of the park. This year’s Knott’s Scary Farm experience has all the ingredients of a truly terrifying nightmare, but unlike most dreams, Knott’s Scary Farm is a nightmare you can’t wake up from. This season new horrors are in store with the frightening new maze Mesmer: Sideshow of the Mind. Give in and succumb to the hypnotist Mesmer and his sinister sideshow as they pray on your hidden fears. Step back into the dark decadence of a by-gone era as the newest scare zone, The Gore-ing 20’s, terrorizes even the bravest and most brutal souls. Here gangsters run illicit hooch for the ghostly revelers as the otherworldly musicians play the music of the damned. Four new haunting shows will be added to the lineup this year. Live bands provide the soundtrack for the creepiest company of performers to ever disgrace the stage at Carnaval du Grotesque. Hosted by the evil Hag of the Hollows, Wicked Drums, high energy drumming collides with ancient witchcraft in a sensory overload sure to raise your spirits. Invitation to Terror is a digital illusion horror show that tells Millionaire Tom Shackleford’s story, who is set to unveil the secret project that he promises will change the world. It’s going to be a killer party with plenty of terrifying surprises no one will ever see coming. The night comes alive during Doce de la Noche at the stroke of midnight when our electric dance group takes the Fiesta Plaza stage.

With 15 haunted attractions and more than 1,000 horrifying creatures lurking in the fog and hiding in every corner of the park, nightmares never end at Knott’s Scary Farm. Visit KnottsScaryFarm.com for tickets and join the conversation using #ScaryFarm

Knott’s Scary Farm is a separately ticketed event on select nights starting September 16 through October 31. Due to the explicit and frightening nature of the event, it is not recommended for children under 13.

New Offerings:

Attractions and Shows Descriptions

Mesmer: Sideshow of the Mind (Maze) – The newest haunted maze has arrived; Mesmer: Sideshow of the Mind. Within the canvas tent lies the secret of the most potent force in the universe: the human mind. Give in and succumb to the hypnotist Mesmer and his sinister sideshow, as it preys on your hidden fears. Release your inner thoughts and descend into a world of madness, torture, and eerie enlightenment. There you will uncover the grotesque secrets hidden as you brave through the most terrifying show ever created.

The Gore-ing 20’s (Scare Zone) – Step back into the dark decadence of a by-gone era as the newest scare zone, The Gore-ing 20’s, terrorizes even the bravest and most brutal souls. Here gangsters run illicit hooch for the ghostly revelers as the otherworldly musicians play the music of the damned. Tell the Bouncer the secret password, and you’ll have the time of your life for as long as it lasts.

Carnaval du Grotesque (Show) – Calico Mine Stage

Grab a seat as the show is about to begin! Your mind will melt at the sights and sounds of the Carnaval du Grotesque. Live bands provide the soundtrack for the creepiest company of performers to ever disgrace the stage.

Invitation to Terror (Show) – Mystery Lodge

Invitation to terror is a digital illusion horror show which tells the story of Millionaire Tom Shackleford, he is set to unveil the secret project that he promises will change the world. Set in Calico 1986, guests are invited to the debut of Futuretronics, the world’s top technology creator, latest technological advancement. It’s going to be a killer party with plenty of terrifying surprises no one will ever see coming.

Wicked Drums (Show) – Camp Snoopy Theater

Deep within The Hollow, The Witches summon you to a percussion ritual to awaken the dead. Hosted by the evil Hag of the Hollows, Wicked Drums, high energy drumming collides with ancient witchcraft in a sensory overload sure to raise your spirits. It’s a Halloween activity worth witnessing.

Doce de la Noche (Show) – Fiesta Plaza

The night comes alive at the stroke of midnight when our electric dance group takes the Fiesta Village stage. Dressed in colorful and vibrant colors, the lively dancers dazzle all with their moves set to high- energy music, which takes over all senses and has everyone dancing their feet off.

Returning Mazes:

Wax Works – Mysterious lights and strange noises have begun to emanate from the eerie abandoned wax museum. It’s rumored that blood-curdling screams can be heard echoing through the halls of Wax Works as victims are horrifyingly submerged into a scorching hot cauldron of bubbling wax. The once prominent plastic surgeon, Dr. Augustus Scratch, has been seen tinkering at night and is now ready to show off his beautiful yet terrifying life-like masterpieces of hot molten wax and bloody flesh. Take a closer look at his gruesome works of art and try to escape his deadly grip or become the newest masterpiece to add to his collection.

Origins: The Curse of Calico – Pierce the veil of time and discover the secret of the evil fog that hangs over Knott’s Scary Farm in Origins: The Curse of Calico. Unearth the sinister paranormal activity that plagues the town as Sarah Marshall is put on trial for her suspected crimes of witchcraft. All will be unveiled when the Green Witch rises and curses the townsfolk, transforming all who have accused her into a wicked horde of malicious creatures with an eternal quench for the living.

PARANORMAL, INC. – The Haunting of Hayden Hill: Paranormal Inc. maze reopens its doors one final time to those brave enough to uncover a bizarre and supernatural adventure. Guests investigate a haunted hospital where the patients were tortured for decades by deranged doctors and nurses. Demonic spirits of the murdered victims have been detected throughout the mysterious halls, while evil medical staff prowl for new patients to torture.

Pumpkin Eater – Survive the wrath of the murderous 7-foot tall creature that haunts the old woods surrounding The Hollow in the Pumpkin Eater maze. The notorious creature is on the prowl, hidden within the dark confines of the haunted town he once terrorized. To escape the sinister Pumpkin Eater’s wrath, all who enter must go on a quest through the silent town of victims, face a cave of crawling insects and solve the labyrinth of thorns that blocks the way out.

Dark Ride – Journey through an abandoned carnival ride where cruel carnie folk still linger in the shadows in Dark Ride: Castle of Chaos. The carnival has become a refuge for freaks and carnies. Now those shunned performers have created a dark world of terror which they plan to unleash on those who enter. Dark Ride will lead brave visitors through a treacherous path and into the bowels of a long- neglected attraction, as sinister shadows and horrifying scenes cast the gloom over the once pleasant ride. It’s everyone’s worst nightmare, being helplessly trapped inside an abandoned carnival ride without a way out.

The Depths – A heavy fog drapes over an abandoned port village where ancient creatures lurk inside the pitch-black underground caves hidden below the seaside shores. The Nightwatch Mining Crew has mysteriously disappeared, and village rumors point to the eerie tunnels the town sits upon. But be warned, all who have entered have never resurfaced. Myths of the terrifying horrors that lurk within the cave have often been whispered but never confirmed. Did the crew meet their demise at the hand of vicious creatures that live within the cave? Journey into the ominous caverns to discover if the superstitions revolving around the cave are true or not.

Dark Entities – Teleport beyond earth into a realm where the darkness is absolute. In the depths of space, a lone station faces terror beyond all imagination. An extraterrestrial mutation has invaded the station, and it’s on the prowl for new hosts. The unearthly inhabitants’ force increases as it feeds on its unwilling victims. Escape the dark entities before their deadly force eliminates all living forms aboard the station. There’s nowhere to escape when time is running out!

Halloween Hootenanny – The Timber Mountain Log Ride residents celebrate the Halloween Hootenanny, which adds a seasonal twist to a park favorite. Mysterious creatures of Timber Mountain that live out in the woods and caverns join the citizens as they honor the season at the Halloween Hootenanny. The Ride’s interior features surprises as guests venture past the Calico Coffin Creeper band, the town’s green witch, and splash down Skull Mountain through a labyrinth of jack-o-lanterns all set to an original soundtrack by Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies.

Returning Scare Zones:

Knott’s Scary Farm is far more than a collection of haunted attractions.
Every night monsters spill out onto the streets and turn theme park midways into murderous scare zones. From the world-famous Ghost Town Streets to the Boardwalk area filled with evil clowns, there’s nowhere to hide in Knott’s Scary Farm.

Ghost Town Streets is the original and largest, most terrifying scare zone that started it all. Bands of half-human, half-animal monsters prowl the streets and inhabit the fog, and beware the notoriously stunning sliders, who lunge from fog-filled corners of the land.

On the Boardwalk, deviant clowns crave your undying attention in the CARNEVIL scare zone.
The Hollow scare zone will terrorize guests as the Witches of the Hollow, and their armies of creatures have risen once again to battle with the Witch Hunter.

The Lake underneath Silver Bullet recedes to reveal the Forsaken Lake scare zone, where gothic creatures ravaged by the dark and murky waters wander from their crypts preying on unsuspecting visitors, looking for victims to drag back to their watery graves.

Returning Shows:

Puppet Up! Uncensored (Show) – The Walter Knott Theater – Returning nightly to Knott’s Scary Farm for the 2021 season, Puppet Up! Uncensored is an outrageous, off-the-cuff show featuring a combination of improvisational comedy and the magic of puppetry performed by a cast of world-class comedian puppeteers from The Jim Henson Company. Created by legendary puppeteer and award- winning director Brian Henson and directed by Patrick Bristow (Ellen, Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Whose Line Is It Anyway?), Puppet Up! – Uncensored is no ordinary puppet show. The content is driven by audience suggestions and participation in proper uncensored form, topped with the zany antics and naughty shenanigans of the colorful and brazen puppet cast. Puppet Up! – Uncensored will be performed three times each night at Knott’s Scary Farm and is intended for mature audiences.

Conjurers (Show) – Bird Cage Theater

You won’t believe your eyes when our skilled Illusionist takes the stage in the heart of Calico. Get there early as seats have been known to vanish.

more info and tickets at knottsscaryfarm.com

HHN Announces More Terrifying Mazes and the Return of Popular “Terror Tram”!!!!

On By TimothyIn Universal Halloween Horror NightsLeave a comment

Join Universal Studios Hollywood’s “Halloween Horror Nights” Harrowing Lineup,

with the Addition of Premier R.I.P. Tour and Frequent Fear Tickets Now on Sale

Fearsome Highlights Include “Terror Tram: The Ultimate Purge,”

“Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers” and “The Walking Dead” Mazes,

Jabbawockeez Hip Hop Show and All-New Scare Zones

Click Here to Purchase Tickets 😉

“Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers” maze at Halloween Horror NIghts 2021 at Universal Studios Hollywood (select nights September 9 – October 31)

Universal Studios Hollywood unearths its remaining “Halloween Horror Nights” line-up with the return of the legendary “Terror Tram,” featuring “The Ultimate Purge” and frightening maze “Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers,” along with ticket sales for R.I.P. Tour and multi-night visits. “Halloween Horror Nights” kicks off on Thursday, September 9 and runs select nights through Sunday, October 31.

New ticket options, including the R.I.P. Tour, Ultimate Fear and Frequent Fear passes, provide a one-of-a-kind experience to this year’s most extreme and intensely immersive Halloween event as fans will be terrorized and entertained by new mazes, Terror Tram, scare zones, theme park attractions and a hip hop show.

            Based on the successful Universal Pictures and Blumhouse Productions’ film franchise, “Terror Tram: The Ultimate Purge” takes guests on a nightmarish journey into the world of The Purge as they try to survive the night along the world-famous Universal backlot. The annual tradition of The Purge is a one-night event when all crime is legal; however, as the latest film The Forever Purge depicts, members of an underground movement believe that The Purge should be every day – and plan to overtake America through a relentless campaign of mayhem and massacre. Click here for a chilling first look at “Terror Tram: The Ultimate Purge.” 

            Guests will be stalked at every turn in the “Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers” maze, based on the classic slasher fromTrancas International Films. With his haunting white mask and signature steel knife, the relentless Myers is ready to resume his killing spree and terrorize the people of Haddonfield as he hunts for his niece Jamie to finally seek his revenge. Click here for a terrifying preview of “Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers.”

“Halloween Horror Nights” at Universal Studios Hollywood brings together the sickest minds in horror to immerse guests in a living, breathing, three-dimensional world of terror inspired by TV and film’s most compelling horror properties. 

This year’s disturbing line-up also includes:

·       “The Haunting of Hill House,” based on Netflix’s critically-acclaimed supernatural thriller.

·       “Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” a chilling maze featuring a demented Leatherface and his unrelenting chainsaw.

·       “Universal Monsters: The Bride of Frankenstein Lives,” inspired by Universal Pictures’ cinematic monsters with an all-original story about one of the studio’s most infamous creatures. GRAMMY® Award-winning musician, SLASH collaborates with Universal Studios Hollywood to compose an original score for the maze and scare zone.

·       “The Exorcist” maze will possess guests as they live the tormented aberrations experienced by Regan and her determined mother.

·       “The Curse of Pandora’s Box” is an original concept maze inspired by the most fearsome creatures in Greek mythology.

·       “The Walking Dead,” a fully immersive journey inspired by AMC’s popular television series.

·       Award-winning hip hop dance crew Jabbawockeez is back with nightly performances of its high-energy show featuring their gravity-defying dance moves, elevated by special effects and pulse-pounding music.

All-new scare zones designed to taunt, terrorize and torment guests as they navigate the darkness from one frightening maze to another will come to life throughout the theme park with these chilling experiences: 

  • “Universal Monsters: Silver Scream Queenz,” adjacent to the “Bride of Frankenstein Lives” maze, is the first all-female scare zone featuring The Bride of Frankenstein, Anck-Su-Namun The Mummy, Dracula’s Daughter and She-Wolf of London.
  • “Chainsaw Rangers” is a diabolical gang of chainsaw wielding maniacs who strike upon those entering “Halloween Horror Nights.”
  • New York Street becomes “Demon City” where bloodthirsty demonic-looking clubgoers prowl the night looking for their next victims.

In addition to the “Halloween Horror Nights” mazes, guests can also enjoy select theme park attractions that will be open during the run of event, including “Jurassic World—The Ride,” “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey,” “Flight of the Hippogriff,” “Revenge of The Mummy—The Ride,” “Transformers: The Ride—3D” and “The Simpsons Ride.”  

Tickets are available at Hollywood.HalloweenHorrorNights.com, and those tickets purchased online provide guests early admission with entry beginning at 6:00 p.m. each night of “Halloween Horror Nights.”  Advance purchase is recommended as event nights are expected to sell out. 

Event dates are: September 9-12, 16-19, 23-26, 30 and October 1-3, 7-10, 14-17, 21-24, 28-31.

            The following highlight all “Halloween Horror Nights” tickets now available for purchase:

·       General Admission: single night admission to “Halloween Horror Nights” 

·       Universal Express™: admission to “Halloween Horror Nights” and one-time express access to each maze, ride and attraction 

·       Universal Express™ Unlimited: single night admission to “Halloween Horror Nights” and unlimited express access to each maze, ride and attraction

·       Day to Night Ticket: after 2pm theme park admission plus same-day admission to “Halloween Horror Nights”

·       Day to Night Ticket + Universal Express™: after 2pm theme park admission and one-time express access to each ride and attraction plus same-day admission to “Halloween Horror Nights” with one-time express access to each maze, ride and attraction

·       Ultimate Fear Pass: be scared all 32 nights of “Halloween Horror Nights”

·       Frequent Fear Pass: visit up to 26 select nights during the seasonal event

·       R.I.P. Tour: Groups can scare in style with the R.I.P. Tour featuring one-of-a-kind experiences and photo opportunities with a VIP guide, trolley transportation, valet parking, gourmet dinner at the VIP Dining Room plus unlimited Universal Express access to mazes and attractions.

Click here for more information about each ticket type and for Terms and Conditions.

For exciting updates and exclusive “Halloween Horror Nights” content, visit Hollywood.HalloweenHorrorNights.com, like Halloween Horror Nights – Hollywood on Facebook; follow @HorrorNights #UniversalHHN on Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat; and watch the terror come to life on Halloween Horror Nights YouTube.

The event also comes to life at Universal Orlando Resort which celebrates 30 years of fear this year.

About Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood includes a full-day, movie-based theme park and Studio Tour. As a leading global entertainment destination, Universal Studios Hollywood delivers highly themed immersive lands that translate to real-life interpretations of iconic movie and television shows. Attractions include “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™” which features a bustling Hogsmeade village and such critically-acclaimed rides as “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” and “Flight of the Hippogriff™”, the new mega attraction “Jurassic World—The Ride” featuring the spectacularly realistic Indominus rex dinosaur, and the all-new ride “The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash!” Other immersive lands include “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem” and “Super Silly Fun Land” as well as “Springfield,” hometown of America’s favorite TV family, located adjacent to the award-winning “The Simpsons Ride™” and DreamWorks Theatre featuring “Kung Fu Panda Adventure.”  The world-renowned Studio Tour is Universal Studios Hollywood’s signature attraction, inviting guests behind-the-scenes of the world’s biggest and busiest movie and television production studio where they can also experience such thrill rides as “Fast & Furious—Supercharged” and “King Kong 360 3D.”Universal CityWalk, located adjacent to the theme park, features such popular restaurants as the all-new NBC Sports Grill & Brew, VIVO Italian Kitchen, Antojitos Cocina Mexicana, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville and Voodoo Doughnut, along with dynamic shopping and entertainment options, including Universal Cinema, featuring deluxe recliner seating in screening room quality theatres.

Universal Studios Hollywood/Universal CityWalk Hollywood Safety Guidelines

Please note the CDC advises that older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Guests should evaluate their risk in determining whether to attend. People who show no symptoms can spread COVID-19 if they are infected, any interaction with the general public poses an elevated risk of being exposed to COVID-19, and Universal cannot guarantee that guests will not be exposed during their visit. Before visiting, click here to review the safety guidelines for Universal Studios Hollywood.

“MIDSUMMER SCREAM ANNOUNCES “AWAKEN THE SPIRITS!” A POP-UP EVENT TO BE HELD AT THE PASADENA CONVENTION CENTER AUGUST 14-15! FEATURING HUNDREDS OF VENDORS, PANEL PRESENTATIONS, AND MORE!

On By TimothyIn Cons, Halloween, Haunted AttractionsLeave a comment

The producers of Midsummer Scream are thrilled to announce a surprise event kicking off the Halloween season to take place the weekend of August 14-15, 2021 at the Pasadena Convention Center. Awaken the Spirits! 

It will feature over 200 spooky vendors, live entertainment, and a presentation stage where fans will learn what’s in store for Halloween 2021 from the likes of LA Haunted Hayride, Delusion, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Winchester Mystery House, and others.

 Tickets and more info available at: midsummerscream.org/awaken 

“The entire team is excited to be able to create live events once again,” says David Markland, Executive Director of Midsummer Scream. “Awaken the Spirits! will allow us an opportunity to bring together fans and professionals from the Halloween and haunt community to celebrate and prepare for what will be a great ‘spooky season’.” 

After the pandemic caused Midsummer Scream to cancel their flagship event for the past two years, the team has ramped up production on several related projects for a strong end to 2021. Midsummer Scream’s Screaming Room Film Festival presented by HorrorBuzz will be held at the Frida Cinema in Santa Ana July 10-11. Season’s Screamings, Midsummer Scream’s dark holiday convention, takes place December 17-19, also at the Pasadena Convention Center.

Next summer, Midsummer Scream returns to Long Beach for its highly anticipated 5th Anniversary show July 29-31, 2022. “Once we were certain Southern California was allowing live events again, we felt it was extremely important to do something for our longtime supporters, and create a showcase for the theme parks and attractions to inform the public what each of them will be doing for Halloween,” says Gary Baker, Executive Producer of Midsummer Scream.

“Since there are so many questions concerning haunted attractions and events this year, we really wanted to create a solid platform for that information to be relayed directly by our partners.”  Midsummer Scream and the Pasadena Convention Center are working in accordance with all CDC, state, and local guidelines governing requirements for events and gatherings of this type. For breaking information about Awaken the Spirits! and other upcoming Midsummer Scream events, follow them on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter @midsummerscream and sign up for the newsletter at MidsummerScream.org.

 About Midsummer Scream and Awaken the Spirits!:
Midsummer Scream and its branded events are presented by David Markland (Founder/Executive Director), Gary Baker (Founder/Executive Producer), Claire Dunlap (Founder/Supervising Producer), and Rick West (Founder/Creative Director). Their goal is to showcase the diversity of Southern California’s haunt and horror community as a welcoming beacon for fans around the world to converge on Los Angeles for a weekend of excitement, networking and non-stop spooky fun! Be sure to follow Midsummer Scream on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for breaking updates and information. 

Knott’s Scary Farm: What Lurks Within – Dress Rehearsals

On By maryimaginationIn Halloween, Haunted Attractions, Knott's Scary Farm, The Fright ZoneLeave a comment

Days before opening night of Knott’s Scary Farm, everyone has to be trained on the operations of the event, so everything runs smoothly and is wonderfully terrifying. There is a hustle and bustle of everyone from build, wardrobe, cast and crew to prepare for the opening of Scary Farm. The day we visited they were focusing on training monsters, black out and guest control for mazes. We saw this process for Paranormal Inc.,Voodoo, and Toothfairy. It will be the first time all of these teams work the maze with guests (guests meaning street monsters who are going through). It is wonderful to see the excitement on the faces of all the streets monsters from Fiesta De Los Muertos, The Hollows, Carnevil and Ghost Town. They are waiting in anticipation to have a good scare from their monster brothers and sisters. Also, since these monsters will always be in the streets, this gives them the opportunity to experience these mazes and to see what the design and build team created.

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The First People you encounter at Scary Farm when you head towards your maze of choice is Guest Control, a team of people with white shirts and black ties. They guide you to ensure you get in line for your maze of choice for either Gen. Admission or Fright Lane. When you are in line, they keep line flow at a good pace and count groups for specific mazes that have pre-shows so it is not too many people with you but just enough to ensure a steady pace of line flow.

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We interviewed Donald and Deanna, Guest Control from Toothfairy. They informed us what is gone over during dress rehearsals,

“I’m explaining to them what to do with Guest Control, informing them about the maze, controlling the guests, keeping the maze clean and safe.” -Donald

“Our main job for Guest Control pretty much is keeping everyone in order, how many people come in, and we have the clicker right here.”

-Deanna

Inside the maze looking after the monsters, ensuring their safety and guiding you when the maze becomes confusing or super dark are The Blackouts. Even though they maybe invisible at times, they are always there, lurking in the shadows. Before the monsters of streets head into Paranormal Inc. for a scare, Bonnie (the team leader for blackouts for Paranormal and it’s her very first year working Scary Farm), gathers her army of blackouts and goes over the safety and daily procedures. Also what to do when guests want out and everything to know about the maze. Also she gets them excited for another year of Scary Farm. During her meeting with the blackouts she states,

“Just know I am here for you guys, we are all a team: line control, talent, all of us. We got each other’s backs.”

-Bonnie

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With every department from Monsters lead by the Cast Lead, Guest Control and Black Outs working together creates a great system for the maze to be terrifying and safe. When we head in, some monsters are in their masks and costume and some are there without that but their characters show through movement, scare and facial expression. Everyone is energetic and on point, it is wonderful that they are given dress rehearsal to get in the groove of their characters and environment. You can see all the action of Paranormal Inc. and Voodoo in our video below.

Thank you to everyone who participated in our article and video. Thank you to the people of Guest Control and Black Outs for ensuring the best and safe experiences at Scary Farm. We here at the Knott’s Network are grateful for your dedication and for what you do. Thank You ❤ Scary Farm starts up again this Thursday, so be sure not to miss out. We will see you all soon… In The Fog.