MHC Offers 18 Haunted Attractions in 2010 Haunt Tours!

Release: The Midwest Haunters Convention has been offering pre-convention bus tours of haunted attractions for six years. This year the tours have been expanded to include 7 haunts with 18 total attractions. Tours include a two day overnight bus trip to Northern Ohio and a Friday evening shuttle bus excursion to haunts in the Columbus area. This will be the best year yet for MHC Haunt Tours!

Wednesday afternoon, June 2 buses will depart from the Hyatt Regency Columbus for the Cleveland area. We’ll tour attractions throughout the evening, spending the night in Hudson, Ohio. The next morning we’ll tour haunts in Northern Ohio; including returning to attractions toured the previous night for Lights-on tours. The Lights-on tours will give attendees an opportunity to see all the scene details and what goes on behind the scenes. The evening wraps up with additional haunt tours and a return trip to Columbus on Thursday late night.

Ticket prices for the two day tour start at $199 which includes all attractions, bus transportation, meals, snacks and hotel room. There will be five haunts with 14 total attractions.

Friday night the tours resume with shuttle buses transporting attendees to two haunts with four total haunted attractions in the Columbus area. Buses will start departing from the Hyatt Regency Columbus at 6:45 pm. Dinner stops are planned with special discounted meal options starting at just $3.99 and the haunt tours with a shuttle bus package for just $49. Buses return to the Hyatt for a Scary-Oke show starting at 11:30 pm.

The Midwest Haunters Convention offers fantastic haunt tours, outstanding educational seminars, exciting contests and an amazing costume party. The free weekend Halloween industry trade show is one of the largest in the country.

To Register and to Learn More Visit: www.MidwestHaunters.com or call Kelly at 614-203-4626.

Raven’s Wolf Launches All-New Site for 2010

Looking for some Custom Designs from Costumes to 3D Haunted Attractions? Everything you may want to have done for you haunt can be done by Raven’s Wolf. And now Raven’s Wolf has launched their All-New Site for 2010.

At Raven’s Wolf the new site includes expanded product lines for your haunt needs, a portfolio to see exactly what they have done for others and possibly for you, everything from shirt design to costumes to 3D attractions.

And right now Raven’s Wolf is offering early bird discounts to anyone that books a 3D attraction before May 1st. So now you can add some 3D to your haunt and make it Pop as a main attraction or as an accent event at your existing haunt.

For more information, and to see the new site and products visit: www.Ravens-Wolf.com

Ravens Wolf Production and Design

Symphonc Sacrifices Back to Write NEW Music for your Haunt

In the Haunt Industry Music plays a huge roll in an event to set the mood or tone. And many of you may remember back at Midwest Haunters Convention Symphonic Sacrafices jamming on stage at Club Vampire.

Well after some time off and working on their own haunted attractions, Dr. Frankenfingers is BACK!

“Good Evening Boils and Ghouls,
Symphonic Sacrifices and Living Dead Mafia have since built two major haunted houses. One was a 7,000 Sq foot mansion at a historically preserved actual haunted house. The other was a 60,000 Sq ft trail in the middle of the woods. Great year for us!

Symphonic Sacrifices is now available again to write music for your haunted event or attraction. If you are looking for music please contact me at houdioni2@optonline.net

Thanks everyone,
Robert J. Frankenberg”

So it seems the Doc is back and ready to give your haunt an exclusive track! For more information about Symphonic Sacrifices and to hear his work visit: www.SoundClick.com/SymphonicSacrifices

The Evolution of Ghosts in Haunted Attractions

by: RFR Casket Crew Storm

Greetings Deadites,

Over the past few years, the popular opinion of what a ghost looks like has had some major changes. The days of Casper the Friendly ghost are gone, and no more cutting holes in the bedroom linens or spray painting a zombie costume white to have a ghost terrorize visitors to you haunt. Here are some of the challenging new forms ghosts have taken and how to incorporate them into haunt designs.

Orbs: Maybe it’s Uncle Marty, maybe its dust and a camera flash, regardless there are enough believers out there that haunt owners can put away the lemon Pledge and add more strobe lights anyplace for an instant Orb Ghost room when patrons are present

Voices: Disembodied voices and EVP type effects have always been a staple of haunts, but with this growing ghost phenomenon haunters have to be more creative with the content. Gone are the tried but true deep growling “Get Out” , and more common are the soft garbled sounds that resemble a bad drive through speaker. That might be good for concessions when patrons go through asking “Did you just say you died here or asked me if I want fries?”

Shadow People: These creepy ghostly shadows like to dart behind things in abandoned buildings and lighthouses, but they make the haunt budget happy when you can have a dot room without dealing with painting any dots.

Heat Signatures: Apparently the Predator could have also scored a role in the sixth sense with this new technology for Ghosts to reveal themselves. While the FLIR goggles for patrons might be expensive, the actors will appreciate the new sauna you install for them to relax in before running through the haunt ahead of the patrons touching and sitting in props.

EM Fields: Is there an evil presence in the basement or should you fire your electrician. While both scenarios are scary just hope your patrons know to look for Electromagnetic spikes when you send them into your new Basement of Spirits attraction with the prop EMF detectors.

Blurry Glowing Things: Was that a moth on the camera of the gas station or a restless Pony Express rider? The real fear will take place as you paint a thousand June bugs with phosphorescent paint and let them loose in your haunt.

Moving Stuff: What goes bump in the night? Well in your haunted house it can be everything if you loosen some floor boards and cut 1 leg on each table and chair a little short. The pain will be hiring actors to play the role of haunt pin monkeys for the reset.

Mist: Anyone gets creeped out by the low crawling fog that begins to take unearthly shapes. Only one good way to accomplish this on demand… Remote Control Fog, I’m sure there is some military research already on that one.

So until next time Deadites, Sit Back, Relax, and Rot Away…

The Darkness Behind the Scenes Tickets On-Sale

A good way for Haunters to learn how to herlp their event is to see what their peers in other markets are doing. See how they implement animatronics, actors, and more to their event and during the upcoming Haunt Show you will be able to experience both a Live Working attraction and a Lights On Behind the Scenes Tour of The Darkness Haunted Attraction.

The Darkness is a top rated, nationally recognized Haunted Attraction, that has been seen on the Travel Channel and in a variety of Publications.

For 2010 The Darkness is giving you a great tour for the Transworld Haunt Show and Tickets are on Sale Now!

The Darkness 2010 Live Actors Tour

Where:
The Darkness Haunted House
1525 South 8th Street
St. Louis, Missouri MO 63104
Located in downtown St. Louis next to Soulard Market off South Broadway. Just two miles from the convention center.

When:
March 26 & 27, 2010.

The Darkness 2010 Behind the Scenes Tour

Where:
The Darkness Haunted House
1525 South 8th Street
St. Louis, Missouri MO 63104
Located in downtown St. Louis next to Soulard Market off South Broadway. Just two miles from the convention center.

When:
March 25, 2010

To get your tickets be sure to stop by the Official Darkness Website at: www.TheDarkness.com

MORE ON THE DARKNESS HAUNTED HOUSE
Welcome to the 2010 Darkness Haunted House Tour at Transworld Haunt Show March 25-29, 2010. The Darkness presents three different attractions inside one 40,000 square foot building. First tour the all new Darkness haunted house then enter Terror Visions 3D and finally visit our new Monster Museum.

The 3 Darkness haunted attractions have been totally remodeled for the 2010 haunt season just for this tour at a cost of over $200,000.00.

Be the first to see all the new sets, special effects, custom props and much more at the 2010 Haunt Show in St. Louis, Missouri.

For more details visit www.TheDarkness.com

IAAPA Deadline for Speakers Closing In

Each year the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions plans out a variety of Expos where people can discuss theme parks, haunted attractions, concessions, vendors, new thrill rides and more for the new year. They can sample food, and order those items to help bring their event up a few notches.

One of the ways they help Amusement Park Owners and Haunt Owners alike is through education. And right now IAAPA is looking for speakers for their upcoming Expos. These speakers will tackle a variety of topics and the Deadline to be considered for Seminar Speaker closes on February 8.

“Education program attendees are owners, operators, and key staff members of amusement parks and attractions. The majority of attendees are also buyers at the trade show. Other audience members will be staff from various departments and responsibilities within the facility. Generally, they are full-time employees. Occasionally manufacturers, consultants and vendors attend programs of special interest to them. Further, IAAPA is encouraging college and university faculty to attend as well as students whose major study area encompasses our industry.”

“Attendees may be further characterized by level of knowledge as well as specific types of facility operations. As you develop your Presentation, please consider which of these primary member facility types you will predominantly address.”

Those are:

Amusement Parks
Theme Parks
Family Entertainment Centers
Water Parks
Zoos
Aquariums
Museums
Attractions (Haunted Attractions, Piers, Natural Parks, etc.)
Resorts and Hotels
Campgrounds and RV Parks
Casinos

For more information on how you can become a Speaker at the upcoming IAAPA Expo be sure to visit them at: www.IAAPA.org and DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 8, 2010.

Columbia Haunt Tour 2010 Kicks Off March 26!

So what is a Haunter to do when they cannot see other haunts during the season? Well, how about seeing them in the off season?

One way to do that is with the Columbia Haunt Tour taking place during the Transworld Haunt Show. This event will once again take place Friday, March 26, 2010 during the annual tradeshow. This year the event covers two Haunted Attractions in Columbia, Missouri, <Necropolis and The Fear Fest Haunted House.

The Haunted Enthusiasts write….. “If you only go to one haunt this year make it Fearfest!” and “Necropolis”, is Missouri’s most intense nationally recognized haunt.

Guests can choose to drive directly to the attractions, or take advantage of motor coach service from Transworld. Haunts open their doors at 8:00 PM

Haunts, Transportation, Food and Fun Combo:
$70 Haunted attractions, Motor coach transportation to and from Convention center, Food (Subway sub,chips and soda) and complementary Hauntworld Magazine. Motor coaches leave the front of the convention Center at 7:00 PM SHARP! (Directly after the HHA Meeting). Motor coach seating is limited so don’t delay.

Haunts Only Combo:
$40.00 – for Just the haunts

Tickets:
Online tickets on sale by Click n’ Print. Save 10% off your bus combo ticket by purchasing before Feb. 12th.

HHA Discount: 10% discount after Feb. 12th to HHA members ONLY for the bus combo. (There are no discounts for the Haunt ONLY combo).

So if you want to buy your tickets, see some great haunts in the off season and enjoy Halloween in March visit: www.ColumbiaHauntTour.com

Darkwood Manor Haunted Attraction 2009 Promo Video

Well the new year may be here, 2009 is over but Haunts are preparing for 2010 and re-living the glory that was 2009!

Here is the promotion video you can see for Darkwood Manor Haunted Attraction. Enjoy.

Transworld Haunt and Attractions Show FREE Registration

The 15th Annual Transworld Haunt and Attractions Show is kicking off March 25th in St. Louis. This annual event has become a must-see for the newest products, props, education and more in the Haunt Industry and now you can get FREE General Admissions to the Haunt Show!

Right now is you register by March 5, 2010, you will receive free show admissions and the Opening Night Celebration at the Dubliner! After March 5, admissions will be $20 per person attending the show. Now that is a way to save on money you can spend on extra Fog Juice!

In addition the Haunt Show has created SPEED SEMINARS for those of you who cannot attend or like faster paced education. The Speed Seminars are on March 24 from 12:00 p.m. through 5:30 p.m. Pricing on these are as little as $50 to attend all 10 Pre-Show Seminars!

Seminar 1: Showmanship
Seminar 2: Props for Actors
Seminar 3: Quick Tips to Successful Marketing
Seminar 4: Stilts and Suits
Seminar 5: Creating a Crisis Plan
Seminar 6: Use Of Celebrities
Seminar 7: Timed Ticketing
Seminar 8: Terrifying Textures
Seminar 9: The Interactive Game Haunted House
Seminar 10: Pyrotechnics!

Now these classes will get you pumped, educated and help you create new insightful ways to run your haunt or event.

For more information about Registration, the Transworld Haunt Show and more visit: www.HauntShow.com

“The Annual Halloween & Attractions Show continues its tradition of creating a unique business environment designed to allow buyers to meet face-to-face with exhibitors. Our exhibitors bring all the newest products and classic designs, providing buyers with a one-stop shopping experience. With thousands of products in hundreds of categories, buyers will find everything they need to stock their businesses and make their time at the show a success. Products at the Annual Halloween & Attractions Show include:

Props, Animatronics, Games and Crowd Pleasers, Concession Supplies, Tickets and Crowd Control, Masks and Costumes, Lighting and Special Effects, Make-Up and Prosthetics, Fabric Paint and Décor, Gift and Novelty items, Haunted House Design and Installation, Sound/Visual Electronics and Effects, Mobile Haunted Houses, Educational and Instructional Videos, Spooky Music and SFX, Wristbands, Visitor Automated Tracking Systems, Haunt-Oriented Graphic and Web Design, and much more!

Networking events, award ceremonies, local haunted house tours, industry relevant seminars and an expanded Dark Zone make this the best Halloween & Attractions Show yet!”

“Haunters Got Talent” Contest as Part of National Haunters Convention

National Haunters Convention Directors Robert Kocher and Michael Bruner announce the first-ever Haunters Got Talent Contest to be held at the National Haunters Convention (NHC) in the Valley Forge Convention Center April 30-May 2, 2010.

Ten contestants will register to compete in one of two preliminary rounds for selection by haunted entertainment industry celebrity judges for the chance to compete in a final round for honors and prizes in three categories: Most Entertaining Overall, Best Halloween Theme, and People’s Choice. The final round will be held on the morning of May 2, 2010.

All talented convention attendees are encouraged to submit an entry request. Musical, comedy, dramatic, and variety acts must be no more than five minutes in length for consideration. The use of a Halloween theme for the competition is not required but will be favored for selection of the preliminary acts due to the nature of the convention as well as one of the top prize categories. Entrants must register to attend the NHC and may not be current or previous talent booked for the convention.

Chris Handa, Entertainment Director (contact information below) welcomes entries on a first-come/first-reviewed basis. Entries will be screened, placed, and contacted by Chris prior to opening of the convention floor on Friday April 30, 2010. Basic sound, lighting, and stage space will be provided by the NHC Entertainment Staff.

Because the Convention Directors knows the high level of diversity and talent present in the Halloween/Haunt Community, the Convention Staff looks forward to this opportunity to showcase performers with talent and experience that already makes them the “Hardest Working Ghouls in Show Business.”

To learn more visit : www.HauntersGotTalent.com