National Haunters Convention: Celebrity Announcements, Prizes, Bands, Entertainment Rundown

The National Haunters Convention is coming soon and the event is shaping up to be another huge year for this haunters gathering of vendors, seminars, entertainment and haunting. And just announced is the complete Entertainment schedule full of music, prizes, celebrites and more. Also be on the lookout for RFR as we cover the event this year.

Release:
This has been a long time coming, but I’m pleased to announce a very full entertainment schedule for the National Halloween, Horror, Haunted House, and Hearse Convention at the Valley Forge Convention Center April 29-May 2 2010. Here are most of the details. Other information will be updated online at www.NationalHalloweenConvention.com on a regular basis. You may also find information regarding the Cadaver’s Cotillion, Haunt Tour, Gaming Programs, and Halloween University Seminars on this site.

THURSDAY NIGHT MEET AND GREET SPONSORED BY MIDNIGHT SYNDICATE

Join Host Marty Gear, a.k.a. “Uncle Vlad” of Castle Blood and Balticon fame, for a casual social to meet and socialize with convention guests, presenters, and talent. John Bundy and Morgan will be on hand to provide a taste of their magical talent that will run on the Fangoria Stage Friday through Sunday. The band who spawned a genre, Midnight Syndicate, will show the trailer to the upcoming film THE DEAD MATTER as well as their first and brand-new music video.

Throughout the evening, Marty will be giving away prizes from Midnight Syndicate and other sponsors for those who show that they can match or surpass his superior vampire bit…sorry, wit! We cannot say much more about this, except that one should be prepared to put their “best fang forward” and remember that even vampires like to laugh. **This event is included in general convention admission**

SATURDAY “AFTER PARTY” WITH THE YOUNG WEREWOLVES

Don’t go to bed or hide in a corner! Rock with The Young Werewolves from Saturday night through the wee hours of Sunday morning. If you haven’t heard The Young Werewolves play, then you haven’t heard why FANGORIA, Sid Haig, GOTHIC BEAUTY, ROCKABILLY MAGAZINE, and others have had such great things to say about Philly’s best offering to the Psychobilly Planet! See and hear for yourselves: they look as great as they sound! **This event is included in general convention admission**

HAUNTERS’ GOT TALENT COMPETITION

If you have five minutes of talent in you, then share it with us and compete for a coffin-load of prizes! At present, we have well over $1,500.00 in prizes to give away and the list is still growing. EVERY entrant will receive a prize, but if you advance to the final round, even the consolation prizes increase in value. Finalists will compete for larger prize packages that include NHC’s now-infamous “Convention Cash.” Convention Cash spends like real money at any dealer booth on the show floor and is also awarded in smaller amounts for various reasons over the weekend.

There is no additional entry fee for Haunters’ Got Talent. Rules are available online. Entrants must register in advance with Chris Handa, NHC Entertainment Director, to receive a spot in the competition. Maximum number of competitors: 12.

Finalists’ award categories: Best Presentation Overall (Judges’ Choice), Best Halloween Presentation (Convention Management Choice), and People’s Choice (ballot of those present during finals).

Prize sponsors include:
*Kristen Lawrence/halloweencarols.com

*Doug Higley/grindshow.com ($250 Custom Prop as part of Best Halloween Presentation Prize)

*Rick Roth/outlaw-effects.com (high-end magic prop designed especially for dark entertainers)

*Chris Handa/spookymagic.com

*Castle Blood/Midnight Monster Hop

*Midnight Syndicate

*Tony Gangi/carnysideshows.com

*Charlie Fleming/bastardsofhorror.com

*Haunt Rocker Jerry Vayne/jerryvayne.com

*Jen Sharlow/screamqueenmarketing.com

*Tom Straub Ghost Artist/zazzle.ca/tomornorman

More prize sponsors to come

MAINSTAGE SHOWS

John Bundy and Morgan will appear all weekend with highlights from John’s long-running and highly successful “Wacky Dracky Spooktacular” show. John has years of performance as Wacky Dracky and other character appearing everywhere from trade shows to theme parks. Among magicians, John has received many accolades and been featured in many publications, including a prestigious MAGIC MAGAZINE Cover Story for October 2005. Morgan was recently awarded “2009 Escape Artist of the Year” and was featured on the World Magic Awards in January.

Tony Gangi, The Amazing Human Head will present his sideshow-themed performance on Friday and Saturday. Tony will also be available to sign copies of his newly-released CARNY SIDESHOWS: WEIRD WONDERS OF THE MIDWAY and discuss his current and upcoming projects.

The Creatures East will return to the Fangoria Stage with spooky storytelling, as well as be around all weekend on the show floor, as seminar presenters, and a part of the Children’s Programming Track.

Fangoria.com has been a great partner and few people know more of the details of the Horror Biz than the people of FANGORIA. Join them as they take the stage to ask you questions about classic and contemporary horror films, and have the chance at winning one of the many items in their unique stash of haunt and horror themed prizes!

The Curator of the Medieval Weapons of War Show and Professor Ouch will step away from their respective exhibits to entertain and educate us on the Fangoria Stage.

Chris Handa of spookymagic.com will remove and demonstrate items from Professor Scrye’s Closet of Curiosities. As an entertainer and magic director, Chris has honed his craft and collected some very unique items. He will share some of those with you from the Fangoria Stage if you are brave enough to assist him with some experiments!

Finally, veteran masquerade director Dawn McKechnie, known to many as “Kaijugal” and “Autumn” from various conventions and gatherings, will host the SCREAMS AND DREAMS FASHION SHOW. Think of it as a “Best in Show” exhibition of the premiere costumes, props, and products in haunting and horror. This is your chance to our vendors and crastspeople put their best foot forward and onstage with a display of the things that everybody wants for their own show or display. **All of the above is included with general admission**

FEATURED EXHIBITS

We’re bringing the Midway and the Ren Faire to you! For a very small admission cost, you can visit the most unique collections of items assembled in one convention. Visit Professor Ouch’s Odditorium and Great American Midway, Doctor Slickshill’s Sideshow Museum of Monsterous Oddities, and Rich Hanf’s Medieval Weapons of War Show during Show Floor Hours Friday through Sunday. Each Showman has his own collection of unique items and experiences to share. We are very fortunate to have all of these “Curators of the Creepy” with us for our entertainment and education.

For more information, to register, attend, book hotels and more visit: www.NationalHauntersConvention.com