Categories
Home Decor

2024 Halloween Shopping

2024 Halloween Shopping

Happy Halloween shopping 2024! For over two decades now, the Halloween shopping season has been my main time for household and clothing purchases. Each year, I love to shop around to find interesting new items that fit my home’s spooky look, while also being of a decent quality and serving a useful purpose. While I do a lot of shopping at local & small businesses, it is still fun to keep up my tradition of seeing what the big box stores have to offer as well.

So many items out there are made for pure decoration, or have been slowing degrading in quality and will not last longer than a few weeks of heavy usage. There are, however, some highlights that truly stand out from the crowd each season . I have compiled a list below of my personal wish list items for this year’s Halloween haul.

Every late July/early August I stock up on hand soap from Bath & Body Works to last throughout the year. They always have a wonderful variety of Halloween & Autumn scents I adore.ย As my household began to switch over to more eco-friendly solutions, however, the amount of excess plastic from all these soap dispensers was concerning. I did not want to miss out on my favorite scents, but I did want to find better solutions for the environment.

This year Bath & Body Works delivered with Hand Soap Refills of popular Fall favorites. Scents include: Vampire Blood, Afternoon Apple Picking, Sweater Weather, Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin, Leaves, White Pumpkin, and more. Each container is equivelent to about three of the standard foaming hand soap plastic bottles – saving quite a lot of plastic! These can be used with any standard foaming hand soap container. Bath & Body Works also has a variety of dispensers in Halloween, Autumn, and normal people year-round designs.

Now that I have switched to the refillable foaming soap, I need a fitting dispenser to add to my home’s dรฉcor. Bath & Body Works’ Owl Gentle Foaming Soap Dispenser is the perfect addition to my vintage Halloween kitchen. While they do have some more direct Halloween options, like a Cthulu-inspired haunted house, black cat, and stack of pumpkins, I like that this was a little more subtle and fit with the look of vintage Halloween postcards.ย 

One other pro tip with any of the Bath & Body Works dispensers – the push top is the same as the ones that come on the standard foaming soaps. If you love the base, but want a different spout, save one of the spouts from your non-reusable bottles and switch it out.ย 

These items may not be new to the market for 2024, but they are high up on my list of things to look for while I am out and about. Instead of going through oodles of paper liners, these reusable silicone skull-shaped cups can be a better alternative.ย 

They are 3.5″ x 3.25″ x 2.75″, oven save up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, and microwave, freezer, and dishwasher safe.ย 

One of my favorite appetizers to make for my movie nights and parties is a charcuterie board. This white marble ghost-shaped board is sure to make any spread pop. At 13″ x 14.5″ x 0.5″, it is a nice size for a cheese board spread.ย 

I have also seen some similar boards at local Home Goods stores in the $20-$30 range. They seem to be a little more of a budget-friendly solution, but you have to be lucky to snag one!

I admit, this piece is not one of the functional items I typically seek out, but it is one of the few purely decorative items I have fawned over in recent years. It is quite tempting to clear off a shelf in my horror movie-themed living room to add this to. I enjoy the reference to “The Blob” (one of the only horror movies to really terrify me), as well as many of the other horror nods throughout.ย ย 

The building lights up via three AA batteries or A/C adaptor. At only 10.24″ x 7.28″ x 5.91″, it is not too unwieldly for one’s mantle.ย 

While Halloween merchandise has been hitting the shelves earlier and earlier each year, I seem to find less and less that I actually need to bring into my home. I highly recommend instead of shopping the big box stores, go out and find amazing small businesses and independent creators to support. They offer Halloween products year-round and often have superior quality to most of the cheap items being sold in national chains.ย 

Nevertheless, it is still fun to see so much spooky while running my day-to-day errands.ย 

What cool items have you found this year? Share your haul pictures with me on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram!ย 

2024 Halloween Shopping

Happy Halloween shopping 2024! For over two decades now, the Halloween shopping season has been my main time for household and clothing purchases. Each year, I love to shop around

Read More ยป

57 Ghosts

Take part in a spirited sรฉance aboard the historic – and haunted – Queen Mary with 57 Ghosts. From Master Magician and Apparitionist Aiden Sinclair, this 90-minute immersive experience takes

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Categories
Events

5 Must-Dos at Transworld’s Halloween & Attractions Show 2024

5 Must-Dos at Transworld’s Halloween & Attractions Show 2024

TransWorld’s Halloween & Attractions Show 2024 is the premiere haunt industry trade show. For over four decades, it has been the place where haunt industry members gather to network, learn, and see the latest products and services from top vendors. In recent years this show has also been co-located with TransWorld’s Christmas Show and Interactive Entertainment Show. Although they may not seem to mix, these are two complimentary industries that have much to offer haunt owners & operators. With so many haunts offering year-round experiences, these shows are sure to inspire. The combined events features a show floor with over 450+ exhibitors, educational seminars & workshops, and a plethora of networking events and parties.ย 

TransWorld’s Halloween & Attractions Show 2024 takes place March 7th – 10th at America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri.

There is so much to see and do, it might be overwhelming to someone who hasn’t navigated it before. So, here is my list of 5 Must-Dos at Transworld’s Halloween & Attractions Show 2024.ย 

#1 - Visit the Show Floor

From animatronics to costumes, masks to makeup, websites to tickets, there is much to explore. Theย  450+ exhibitors on the show floor are sure to have new and interesting products and services aimed at haunters of all levels. Make sure to plan out a good chunk of time to explore the aisles and shop industry-leading vendors.ย 

Here are my tips to make the most of your visit:

  1. Plan your route in advance with the floorplan andexhibitor list.ย 
  2. Bring a small bag to carry any brochures, catalogs, and rate sheets you collect from each booth.ย 
  3. Check social media prior to the event to see what sorts of show promotions vendors may be offering. Some even extend their sales to online customers, allowing you to place your order early and avoid large in-person crowds at the booth.
  4. Be sure to shop at your preferred spots early – sometimes exhibitors can become fully booked prior to the end of the show!

Highlights

I hope that you can visit all the booths throughout the show floor. So many exhibitors have fantastic products & services and go all-out with their booth designs. Some highlights include:

  • Froggy’s Fog (Booths 124, 522, 523, 623) – This past year they won the Best New Product Brass Ring Award at IAAPA for their Thanos A-1 Fog Blaster. Their high-powered fog machines are wonderful tools for haunts of every size. As a major sponsor of TransWorld’s Halloween & Attraction Show, their booth is always lively and filled with exciting products.
  • Poison Props (Booths 123 & 227) – Head into the Dark Zone to see their scary animatronics in action. With eerie lighting and sound effects, you can truly get a sense of how these animatronics can look in a haunt environment.ย 
  • The Haunted Attraction Association (Booth 2023) – Protecting, promoting, and educating their worldwide network of haunted attractions, vendors, artists, and enthusiasts, the HAA is the premiere organization for haunters. They offer education, resources, networking opportunities, and more for their members. Stop by to meet with members of their board and learn more about how the group can help you to further your haunt goals. You can also become a member right at the show.
  • Toxic FX (Booth 1003) – Offering professional quality masks and props, their booth is a must-see on my list for their rotten pumpkin props. New for this year is a line of “Ghost Pumpkins” – similar to their rotten pumpkins aesthetic, but with a ghostly white color.ย 
  • Inferno Effects (Booth 1131) – Extremely detailed and high quality, these masks and props from Inferno Effects are unique and durable. New products for this year’s event include the Niko line (Flesh, Rotten, Swamp, & Custom Variants), Werewolf (Grey, Brown, Black, & Custom Variants), and Cracked.ย 

#2 - Learn from the Pros

TransWorld’s Halloween & Attractions expo offers a wide array of seminars and workshops. From safety to social media, design to scareacting, there are many options to help you perfect your craft and elevate your business practices.ย  Be sure to take notes and don’t be aftraid to ask questions during any Q&A portions to get the most out of your experience.

Seminars are not included in general admission tickets, and must be purchased separately. Most classes are $65 ($55 early bird pricing through February 22nd). VIP Passes include 3 seminars of your choice (some exclusions apply) and the VIP & Unlimited Seminar Pass offers full access to most offerings (still some exclusions).ย 

Check out the entire lineup of classes with descriptions & instructors on the official website.

Highlights

There are no bad options in their lineup of educational sessions. Depending on your job and passion within the industry, certain classes may be more relevant to you than others.

Here are some unique and particularly interesting options:

  • The Haunted Attraction Association’s C.H.A.O.S. Fire & Safety Seminar (Thursday, March 7th at 9:30 a.m.)($20 for HAA Members, $75 for Non-Members) – Focusing on safety concerns, fire marshal issues, and proper methods of building a safe event, this is the premiere safety course for haunters. This class counts towards the 8-hour training requirement for the full HAA CHAOS Completion Certificate.ย 
  • Make Your Guest Experience Legendary! Delivering an Incredible Visitor Experience Every Time (Thursday, March 7th at 1:45 p.m.) –ย  Amy Hollaman and Brett Bertolino of Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group will share their methods and tips on how to improve customer satisfaction and deliver exceptional customer experiences. Having attended her panels in the past, I can attest that Amy is an engaging and knowledgeable speaker, making the class fun in addition to educational!
  • Foundations of Fear: Opening or Growing an Attraction in Todayโ€™s Fast-Paced Business World (Friday, March 8th at 11:15 a.m.) – Spencer Terry will discuss how to start your own professional haunt and how to grow it into a successful business. His track record at Fear Factory SLC and the knowledge he has acquired as President of the Haunted Attraction Association lead me to believe this class will be an asset to those entering the business or ready to take the next steps to grow their haunt.ย 
  • Critical Emerging Trends In The Haunted Attraction Industry (Saturday, March 9th at 2:00 p.m.) – This panel discussion with Chris Stafford (Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group), TJ Mannarino (Universal Orlando) and Ben Armstrong (Netherworld Haunted House) will look at what opportunities and challenges may arise in the 2024 Halloween season.ย 

#3 - Attend the HAA Industry Events

Aside from their educational seminar/workshop options, the Haunted Attraction Association hosts two other events you won’t want to miss: The State of the Industry Presentation and The OSCARES. Both events are open to all attendees.ย 

The State of the Industry

On Friday, March 8th at 10:00 a.m. the HAA Board members will host an open discussion about the 2023 haunt season and what trends they see for the 2024 season. They will also discuss the HAA’s new 3-Year Strategic Plan. This is a highly informative event with the opportunity to ask questions and share your own experiences. Whether you are a beginner or a veteran haunter, you are sure to get value out of this event.

The OSCARES

Taking place Saturday, March 9th at 5:00 p.m., the annual OSCARES recognizes the achievements of haunted attraction owners, vendors, and others who have excelled in the industry. The HAA rolls out the black carpet for an evening of networking, honors, and some good food & drinks. Come out to support the best in the industry and celebrate those who contribute to the enduring success of haunts around the country.

Award Categories Include:

  • Vendor Excellence Awards
  • Board of Directors Awards
  • Special Recognition
  • Home Haunt Award
  • Life Time Achievement Award

Obviously, nominations are closed for this year’s event, but the HAA is already accepting nominations for the 2025 awards.ย 

#4 - Party the Night Away

The TransWorld Halloween Party is the place to dance, drink, and mingle with friends both old and new.ย 

DJ Psych Jam from Basement of the Dead will play a killer mix of exciting tracks as haunters from around the world celebrate another successful show. I am a huge fan of the appetizers and dessert, and those with more of a sophisticated pallet will enjoy the cash bar.

This year’s theme is Dรญa de Los Muertos. Costumes and creative attire are allowed and encouraged, but not required. You won’t want to miss the intricate and imaginative costumes your fellow haunters create!

ย 

#5 - Network, Network, Network

I’ve saved the most-important thing to do at TransWorld’s Halloween & Party Expo for last: Network!

Haunters come to TrasWorld from around the globe. You can learn so much by taking the time to meet your peers in this professional-but-relaxed environment. Ask a haunter from another state about their experience in their market area, share advice with a newbie, and just connect with other haunters. As my favorite podcaster/ themed entertainment professional, Scott Swenson, often says, “when the tide comes in all ships rise.” If we band together and support one another, the whole industry will benefit. Personal connections are paramount.

Highlights

TransWorld offers a miriad of opportunities to mix and mingle. View the full list on TransWorld’sย official website, but here are a few of my favorites (Separate Tickets Required):

  • TransWorldโ€™s Networking Night Out!ย (Wednesday, March 6th at 7:30 p.m.) ($75 Advance, $95 On-Site)- Kick off your event with this fun and relaxed social. The event will feature productive roundtables focused on specific topics within the Haunt, Interactive Entertainment, and Christmas industries.ย 
  • City Museum Partyย (Thursday, March 7th at 7:00 p.m.)($60 Advance, $75 On-Site) – Get to experience this weird and wonderful venue without the crowds. During the private party, TransWorld Attendees can explore the museum, dance to tune from DJ Psych Jam from Basement of the Dead, eat, and purchase drinks from multiple cash bars throughout the venue. It is a wild and crazy evening!
  • Interactive Entertainment Game: Dusk โ€™til Dawn, A Zombie Showdown Challengeย (Friday, March 8th at 8:00 p.m.) ($45 Advance, $60 On-Site) – Work as a team to defend against the zombie horde in this intense game of teamwork and strategy. What better way to get to know some new friends?ย ย 

Have Fun at TransWorld's Halloween & Attractions Show 2024!

Ultimately, there is no “right way” or “wrong way” to do TransWorld’s Halloween & Attractions Show 2024. Planning ahead can help to maximize the number of things you see and do (and often save a little money with the pre-sale pricing), but also be sure to be open to all the exciting experiences that pop up along the way. With a gigantic show floor, lots of educational seminars, and a plethora of after-hours events, there is no way to see everything this show has to offer in one trip.ย 

Just have fun – I’ll see you there!

Check out one of my adventures from TransWorld’s Halloween & Attractions Show 2023:

The Darkness St. Louis Walkthrough

2024 Halloween Shopping

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Spooky Empire

Spooky Empire bills itself as the “dark side of comic con”. The convention caters to rock ‘n roll, horror, Halloween, and Tattoo enthusiasts and features a vendor floor, celebrity guests, film festival, costume contests, and more.

East Coast Haunters Convention

The East Coast Haunters Convention is TransWorld’s newest Halloween trade show event. Much like its sister convention, the Midwest Haunters Convention, this show features a pre-con bus tour, educational sessions, expo floor, party, and more. East Coast Haunters Convention is open to the public and is dedicated to all things Halloween! Welcoming home/pro haunters, actors, enthusiasts, and anyone who loves to celebrate Halloween!

Categories
Attractions News

Haunted Attraction Network’s 2023 Hauntathon

Haunted Attraction Network’s 2023 Hauntathon

Prepare yourself for a spine-tingling Halloween season with the Haunted Attraction Network’s 2023 Hauntathon. Lasting 61 days September 1st – October 31st, this celebration of haunted houses from around the globe will feature videos, podcasts, VIP in-person experiences, and more.ย 

The Haunted Attraction Network has gathered 13 ghoulish partnersincluding me – to bring viewers to 61+ haunted attractions worldwide. Hauntathon will explore some of the worldโ€™s best and most mysterious haunted attractions, from the classic to the cutting-edge. What does it take to scare people? Youโ€™ll find out.ย  In this yearโ€™s Hauntathon, viewers will get an inside look at the creative process behind some of the worldโ€™s most famous haunted attractions.

I am beyond excited to once again be a part of this incredible endeavor! Be on the lookout for me in various videos and be sure to subscribe to the weekly newsletter for up-to-date industry news written by yours truly.ย 

2023 Hauntathon

Listen

Subscribe onย Spotify,ย iTunes, usingย RSS, or by searching “Haunted Attraction Network” in any podcast player.

Watch

Watch shorts on Facebook,ย Instagram, andย TikTok. For Full Length content, follow our YouTube Playlist.

Experience

Blood & Bones: The Ultimate Fan Experience
From show producers Joshua Grannell (“Peaches Christ”) and David Flower, comes an experience thatโ€™s taken the bay area by storm, and already garnered a cult-like following. Brimming with freakishly fabulous performances, this hybrid haunt-theatrcial horror show leaves you begging for more. Join us on October 7th, 2023, at this Superfan event! You’ll get to experience The Initiation, hear from show producers Joshua Grannell (“Peaches Christ”) and David Flower during a panel, shake your bones with Skeleton Sam from LVCRFT (Hocus Pocus 2, Hubie Halloween the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), and even get bloody with exclusive photo moments!

Sir Henryโ€™s Legacy: A 10-Year Retrospective
From its humble origins as an outdoor trail in Plant City, Florida, a legendary scream park has emerged. This multi-attraction destination has captivated thrill-seekers and inspired podcasts, books, and even a film.ย Join us at Sir Henryโ€™s Haunted Trail on November 4th, 2023, to celebrate Sir Henryโ€™s Dark Legacy. You’ll get an express pass to experience every attraction, hear from founder Zach Glaros during a panel, and get exclusive photo moments with Sir Henry himself!

Featured Attractions

Programming Partners

ย 

Attractions Magazine

Attractions Magazine covers all the major theme parks and attractions. The Attractions Magazine website, YouTube, and social media accounts are filled with an exciting new looks at Disney, Universal, SeaWorld, Legoland, and other major attractions. Their coverage includes in-depth articles, tips, reviews, restaurants, hotels, and much more!

ย 

Creepy Kingdom

Covering the Spooky Side of Films, Theme Parks, & Beyond! Creating Original Films, Podcasts & Events.

ย 

Freaks of HHN

Founded out of a love for haunted attractions and theme park spookiness, Freaks of HHN reports on haunted attractions through social media posts, blogs, and vlog-style videos.

ย 

HaunTopic Radio

HaunTopic Radio is a monthly audio podcast about HOW to start and grow a Haunted House Attraction or Halloween Event.

ย 

Kevin Heimbach

Kevin is an Orlando Vlogger covering all things theme parks, attractions, conventions, and haunts.

ย 

Muse TV

MUSE TV features the best in film, television, music, lifestyle, tech, and so much more. If it is an interview with one of your favorite celebrities or musicians, special features from the red carpet or blockbuster movie, theme parks or travel destination, a concert with your favorite band, or experience an attraction from another part of the globe MUSE TV has you covered! Their reporters are the future of journalism today with many of them attending the best journalistic colleges and universities in the Southern California area. Their legacy of journalists on MUSE TV can now be seen across the nation in front of and behind the camera in newsrooms at NBC, CBS, FOX, and more. MUSE TV Now Available on Roku & Amazon Fire TV.

ย 

OMNI Adventures

A couple of fun-loving adventurers! They specialize in organic event coverage in the SoCal area.

ย 

Scaretrack

ScareTrack is the UK’s first podcast dedicated to the Scare Attraction & Haunted House Industry.

ย 

Sharp Productions

With over 600,000 subscribers on YouTube, Sharp Productions is a leading expert in POV content for Roller Coasters, Theme Park, and haunted attractions.

ย 

That Halloween Podcast

Halloween fans scream! Listen along as they celebrate the greatest day of the year. From discussions about Halloween movies and specials, to traditions, games and more, this podcast is for all of the spooky folks out there whose lives perk up a bit every October. Host of the show, Jeff DePaoli, welcomes many guests to the podcast who have worked on your favorite scary movies and haunted attractions.

ย 

The Horror of Being Emily

The Horror of Being Emily showcases resources, creative projects, small businesses, and more related to my weird and wonderful Halloween & horror obsession. (You should probably already be aware of this one since you are currently reading this blog)ย 

ย 

The Scare Factor

The Scare Factor provides Haunted House and Halloween lovers with the most professional and accurate info possible.

ย 

This Weekend, with Nick Pagliochini

Tune in to “This Weekend, with Nick Pagliochini” on Fridays at 8p PST/PDT, during “Later, with Mo’ Kelly” to get the lowdown on what you could be doing over the weekend and beyond: theme parks, museums, music festivals, community events, foodie finds, etc. You name it, Nick likely has the 411, or will know who to ask to find out what it is that you’re lookin’ for.

2023 Hauntathon Sponsors

The 2023 Hauntathon is made possible through generous financial support fromย Gantom Lighting and Controls. Gantom Illuminates attractions worldwide with the worldโ€™s smallest intelligent fixtures. See what youโ€™re missingย with a free demo.ย 

2024 Halloween Shopping

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57 Ghosts

Take part in a spirited sรฉance aboard the historic – and haunted – Queen Mary with 57 Ghosts. From Master Magician and Apparitionist Aiden Sinclair, this 90-minute immersive experience takes

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Categories
Emily Events Theme Parks

Scream Break 2023 with Sharp Productions

Scream Break 2023 with Sharp Productions

14 select nights March 9th – April 16th, Six Flags Magic Mountain presents “Scream Break”. The after-hours event features two haunts, three scare zones, frightfully delicious treats, and more. The weekend of March 25th, I experienced Scream Break 2023 with Sharp Productions.

We started the evening with a haunted cocktail hour and the event’s signature cocktail/mocktail, “Skulls on the Beach”. Then it was ghouls gone wild as Elsie and I survived some monster hazing with “Vault 666: Initiation”. Next we made our way to one hell of a frat party with “Condemned: House Party”. We met quite a few frighteningly friendly monsters in the scare zones, and danced the night away at Dead Man’s Party.ย ย Plus, I scored some devilishly handsome light-up devil horns! It was a fantastic evening!

It was so fun to celebrate spring break with haunts and a mini version of the larger October Fright Fest event. I loved how committed and enthusiastic the scareacters were, and the theming was cohesive throughout. Each haunt and scare zone had a uniquely Spring Break feel. I can’t wait to return in the Fall for the main event!

Learn more about Six Flags Magic Mountain’s Scream Break on the event’s official website.ย 

Watch the Full Video

Thank you very much to the Sharp Productions team for letting me tag along to Scream Break 2023! See more of their amazing haunt walkthrough and ride videos on their Youtube Page. Follow them on Facebook & Instagram.

Want to see more Emily & more haunts? Check out my past walkthrough of The Darkness Haunted House in St. Louis, MO.ย 

2024 Halloween Shopping

Happy Halloween shopping 2024! For over two decades now, the Halloween shopping season has been my main time for household and clothing purchases. Each year, I love to shop around

Read More ยป

57 Ghosts

Take part in a spirited sรฉance aboard the historic – and haunted – Queen Mary with 57 Ghosts. From Master Magician and Apparitionist Aiden Sinclair, this 90-minute immersive experience takes

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Ghosts of Summer

Ghosts of Summer is Portland’s Summer Halloween convention.

The event was started by a couple of self-proclaimed nerds with arts backgrounds who wanted a space where the cool creative people who make Halloween & Autumnal celebrations happen could share their work in one place to be supported by the weird and wonderful people of the Pacific Northwest.

Ghosts of Summer features vendors, programming, escape rooms, and more.

Southeast Hollows Haunt Convention

The Southeast Hollows Haunt Convention is a haunterโ€™s convention for the haunt enthusiast, home haunter, professional haunter, actors, and makeup artists. The event features over 40.000 square feet of convention space, masquerade party, fashion show, and more.

Spook Show

For the past few years, horror and Halloween enthusiasts near and far have traveled to meet where all kindred spirits may lie. This gathering of haunting is known as the โ€œSpook Showโ€, an annual event conjured up by the Halloween Club. Spook Show started with a simple mission: facilitate an outdoor-gathering where small businesses and fellow enthusiasts convene to share their penchant for the macabre and support the local community on-site at Halloween Club in full costume. This get-together for the Halloween lifestyle community has grown into a spooktacular must-do annual event to fill the void kindred spirits feel at the start of the year.

ScareCON

Since 2007, ScareCON has been dedicated to the growing UK & European haunted attractions industry. The event features educational sessions, a trade show floor, “ScareBall” social dance, and ScareAwards.