HalloWeekends 15, PointFest and Boat Show Return to Cedar Point for the Haunt Season

Many theme parks throughout the United States gear up for the Haunt Season and celebrate with Halloween Activites, Special Haunted Nights and more. One of the most fun smaller venues on the board is Cedar Point. Rotting Flesh Radio had the chance to venture to this park a few years ago while traveling to the Midwest Haunters Convention. Well now in time for the Haunt and Halloween Season Cedar Point has the HalloWeekends Back in full form and other Haunting Goodies.

HalloWeekend at Cedar Point

“Cedar Point will offer a wide array of family entertainment this week when three popular special events return to the Sandusky, Ohio, amusement park/resort.

HALLOWEEKENDS
On Friday, HalloWeekends, Cedar Point’s fall festival of fun and frights, will return for its 15th season. For seven weekends, HalloWeekends will provide an unmatched mix of rides and roller coasters, haunted houses and fright zones, live shows and special attractions such as the Monster Midway Invasion Celebration parade that will feature four new floats.

This year HalloWeekends will also add two new fright zones (Screamworks along the Frontier Trail and Blood on the Bayou that will lead guests along the lagoon) and two new shows (The Edge of Madness – Six Feet Under in the Red Slaughter Saloon and Dr. Cleaver in the Clink in The Palace Theatre).

For an additional fee, the new Zombie Tour will provide front-of-the-line privileges at the park’s four haunted houses and the Blood on the Bayou and CornStalkers fright zones. Visit cedarpoint.com for all of the details.

Cedar Point's HalloWeekends

HalloWeekends at Cedar Point will be held Friday nights, Saturdays and Sundays, Sept. 16 through Oct. 30. Cedar Point will be open 6 p.m. to midnight on Friday nights (only a portion of the park is open); noon to midnight on Saturdays; and noon to 9 p.m. Sundays. (On Sunday, Oct. 9, the park will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.)

POINTFEST
Presenting some of today’s most popular Christian artists, PointFest will return to Cedar Point for its third year on Saturday, Sept. 17. It will feature nearly six hours of music and entertainment.

Headlining this year’s show will be Skillet whose performance will be highlighted by a lively pyrotechnics show and Christian music icon TobyMac, who returns for his second appearance at PointFest. Other entertainers include Manic Drive, Disciple and comedian Bone Hampton.

The concert will begin at approximately 5 p.m. with performances continuing until 11 p.m. The event will be held in the Soak City parking lot.

North American In-Water Boat Show

For the 39th consecutive year, the Cedar Point Marina will host The North American In-Water Boat Show from Wednesday through Sunday, Sept. 14-18.

The largest in-water boat show on the Great Lakes, the Cedar Point Boat Show will feature many of the newest power and sail boats, equipment and accessories. A 69-foot-long Marquis 690, displayed by SkipperBud’s, is this year’s Queen of the Fleet. Visitors will also be able to enjoy the Boats Under $15,000 and Boats $15,000-$25,000 pavilions, the Brokerage Pier and the Demo Dock and Sail Pier.”

Admission to Cedar Point is not required.

For more information visit: www.CedarPoint.com

The Midwest Haunters Convention Needs You!

The Midwest Haunters Convention

As we approach 2012, it is never too early to be thinking about the next Tradeshow, Convention, or Haunt Gathering. That is how us Haunters grow, learn, share information, and make our Pro Haunts, Home Haunts, Parties better every season.

Well, one of the best conventions is that event RFR has dubbed the “One Last Haunt Romp” is the Midwest Haunters Convention. And as they gear up for the 2012 Annual Event, they have some call outs for those Haunters, Pros and others in our Haunt Family.

To begin how about the education? Everyone loves the Education at MHC and they have a call out for speakers to share, educate and teach Haunters how to grow in specific areas of haunting.

Seminar Series at The Midwest Haunters Convention

“MHC is known for having the best educational offerings in the haunt industry. We start assembling the classes in November after the haunt season is over however it is not too early to start thinking about it. If you are interested in speaking, or have an idea for a class or a workshop, let us know! Just send an email to Barry@midwesthaunters.com”
And moving forward from the education how about showing off your haunt stuff! Midwest Haunters is also looking for you to show off your Haunt Ride!

Many haunters deck out Hearses, Cars and more to place in front of their Haunted Attractions, drive in parades and more to promote their haunt. Well now you can show it off in 2012 to your fellow Haunt Peers.

MHC Annual Hearse Show

“Show Off Your Ride in the custom car area of the 2011 trade show was a huge hit! It was so well received that we are going to expand it for 2012! Start making your plans now to bring your hearses and custom haunt cars to Columbus next June. On a related note, due to scheduling conflicts, we will be unable to offer the outdoor hearse parking for 2012.”

Finally, all conventions are made possible by the Haunters supporting the event! It is our Haunt Community that push conventions forward and make it so they can come back year after year. And the Midwest Haunters Convention Needs Your Support too!

Tradeshow Floor at MHC

“We Need Your help! Are there people at your haunt that have never been to MHC? Do you have makeup people and actors that would benefit from our seminars and workshops? Want to see more of your friends at MHC? Help us promote MHC by putting our cards in the makeup and dressings rooms of your haunts. Simple send your name and address to Kathy@midwesthaunters.com and we will get some out to you!”

So even though we are kicking off the Haunt Season, it is never too early to figure out how to grow in 2012. And you can always listen to the Archives of complete Coverage of the Midwest Haunters Convention on the Rotting Flesh Radio website at: www.RFRPodcast.com

For more on the Midwest Haunters Convention, dates, times and the lineup for 2012 visit: www.MidwestHauntersConvention.com

ABOUT THE MIDWEST HAUNTERS CONVENTION
The Midwest Haunters Convention is for Haunted Attraction Producers, Actors, Artists and Home Haunters. Our goal is to provide educational seminars and workshops with experienced presenters, a 75+ vendor trade show with the latest in haunt offerings, and a place to network with others in the industry during our unique social activities. We’ll offer 1st class haunted attraction bus tours, costume parties and contests (the Bloody Mary Monster Makeup Wars competition, Ms Midwest Scary Pageant & the IAHA Scariest Character Contest). “Haunters” are always welcome here! For more information please visit www.midwesthauntersconvention.com

Attend the EREBUS Haunted Attraction VIP Party with Kane Hodder!

EREBUS Haunted Attraction

Celebrities are always a big draw for a Haunted Attraction during the haunt season. It both gets customers to your event to meet, party and have that photo moment with Horror Icons, but also gets them to your front door, facade and more.

Since the Haunt Season has arrived, many haunts use this technique and coming next week to the World Renown Haunted House EREBUS in Michigan.

Kane Hodder as Jason Voorhees

Now you can attend the special VIP Party with Kane Hodder. Hoddar played Jason Voorhees in many of the Friday the 13th films.

Kicking off on September 30, 2011 from 8pm to Midnight. 100 fans will be partying Hollywood style with Kane Hodder on the rooftop of Erebus the four story haunted attraction in downtown Pontiac Michigan.

All you have to do to be one of the few, the proud is submit a photo of you as Jason or a Jason-victim to info@hauntedpontiac.com.

100 fans will be selected to mix and mingle with Kane Hodder. The media will be there and you may even get a chance to be on a reality TV show.

NOTE: You must be 21 or over to enter. If you are selected you must arrive in your Jason or Jason-victim costume with your VIP invitation in hand.

to find out more about the event, details and the World Famous Haunted Attraction EREBUS visit: www.HauntedPontiac.com

Rotting Flesh Radio SHOW #246: Halloween & Haunt Season Arrives

SHOW NOTES FOR THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 16, 2011 SHOW #246

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THIS WEEK’S SHOW NOTES:
The Haunt Season has arrived! This week we kick off the Halloween and Haunt Season with a jam packed show featuring the ALL HALLOWS REVENGE, SCREAM ACRES COURT, and THIRTEENTH STREET MORGUE all stopping in to the show! Each of these Haunted Attractions are stopping in and discussing the Haunt Season, what to expect out of their event this year and more!

In addition we have Chuckles the Clown along with RFR Casket Crew Storm with In A Haunt Minute. Joey Blood is back with this week’s Bloody Blu-Ray Releases this week and RFR Casket Crew Pierce is back with Fresh Meat discussing Prosthetics for Scare Actors.

This week we have Haunt Industry News covering Costumes for Kids Charity, Derek Mears, House of Shock, The Halloween Festival, Trick or Treat Studios, Halloween Asylum, Distortions Unlimited, The Travel Channel, The Dent Schoolhouse, Ashland Oregon’s Halloween Parade, The Haunt Rocker Jerry Vayne, Wednesday 13, SeaWorld’s Spooktacular, Scare A Torium Haunted House, The Baysox Psycho Safari, Scare Kingdom in the UK, The Nashville Nightmare Haunted Attraction, Toxic Toons, Canadian Haunted Attractions Conference, Fright Catalog, Haunt Kits, Haunted Mansion Event at Contemporary Resort, Trick or Treat Under the Sea, North Carolina Aquariums, Faces of the Great Pumpkin Contest, Ghostbuster Re-Release, Alice Cooper’s New CD, Robert Englund, and more from the Halloween and Horror Industry this week.

We have RFR Casket Crew’s Badger replying to Deadite Listener Emails, and more.

There are ALL-NEW Rules to Win the Screamline Studios Graverobbing Giveaway and Twisted Tunes from the Grave.

So all you Fright Freaks, Haunters and Halloween Junkies, you can…
Sit Back, Relax and Rot Away to Rotting Flesh Radio!

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The Fear Overload Haunted House Ready to Terrorize the Bay California Area

The Fear Overload Haunted house

Fear Overload Premier Haunted House cracks open its doors this September 30th 2011 for another horrifying season. Fear Overload is one of the Bay Area’s most popular Haunted Houses and is rated the scariest haunted house in California by HauntWorld.com. Nathan and David Polanco, the masterminds behind Fear Overload, have been in the haunting business for over ten years and this year, they have developed two haunted houses: The Uprising and 3D Mayhem. “These are high shock haunted houses with horrifying scenes; they are not meant for children under 14,” Polanco warns. “Our haunts are specifically designed to implant fear and exploit all of the senses. You will not be safe from fear even if you are standing in the center of your group.”

Fear Overload Haunted House opens their doors on September 30th at 7:00pm. Fear Overload is open on all weekends in October from 7pm until 10pm. A complete schedule of dates and times is available on the website.

The Bay Area's Fear Overload Haunted House

“We’ve completely redesigned both of our haunted houses for our October season. We have also designed them to be in eye-popping 3D,” Polanco explains. Similar to 3D technology used in the movie theaters, Polanco’s team has developed a method to make objects appear in 3D inside the haunted house by using ChromaDepth glasses. Along with excellent staff of actors and make-up artists, the FearOverload team is distinguished for their realism and sophistication – all adding to an incredible result – a masterpiece of horror.

For more information, please visit Fear Overload at www.FearOverload.com or call them at 510-730-2221

The Baysox Introduce Psycho Safari Haunted House at Prince George’s Stadium

The New Psycho Safari from the Baysox

The Bowie Baysox and Tulip Gulch Productions announced that a terrifying new adventure at Prince George’s Stadium in MD is coming this Haunt Season. The Psycho Safari is a haunted attraction open to thrill-seekers starting Friday, Sept. 30, and continuing every Friday and Saturday in October, as well as Sunday, Oct. 30, and Halloween Monday, Oct. 31. Tulip Gulch Productions produces the longest-running haunted attraction the region, now in its 10th year at Prince George’s Stadium and 25th year in Bowie.

The Psycho Safari is rated PG-13 and parental discretion is highly advised. The show features more than 30 live actors along with props and special effects, and takes approximately 20 minutes to walk through. Tickets for the haunted house are $17, and special rates are available for groups of 10 or more that order tickets in advance. Tickets can be purchased online at www.baysox.com or by calling the Baysox at (301) 805-6000.

Stadium gates open for the haunted house at 6:30 p.m. and tours run from dusk until 11 p.m. The entire show takes place indoors and all shows open rain or shine. The line for the haunted house forms on the concourse level of the stadium. While the concourse is covered and remains dry, fans are encouraged to dress for the weather.

Psycho Safari Haunted house

Baysox General Manager Brian Shallcross has been pleased to terrify Baysox fans over the years. “Our haunted house is the best haunted house in the region,” Shallcross said. “The innovation and intricacies of our event get better every year and we are thrilled and slightly scared about the safari. Our haunted house is another example of our efforts to utilize our facility for year-round entertainment.”

Psycho Safari Dates:
• Friday, Sept. 30 – Saturday, Oct. 1

• Friday, Oct. 7 – Saturday, Oct. 8

• Friday, Oct. 14 – Saturday, Oct. 15

• Friday, Oct. 21 – Saturday, Oct. 22

• Friday, Oct. 28 – Monday, Oct. 31

The Baysox open their 20th season at Prince George’s Stadium Thursday, April 5. To keep up with Baysox news during the offseason and for the PSYCHO SAFARI visit www.baysox.com.

Halloween Asylum Coupons and Discount Codes to Get some Haunt Goodies

Halloween Asylum

Haunt Vendors are loving this time of the year. Fulfilling orders, helping haunts get open and having all you Halloween Enthusiasts relishing in the season.

At Halloween Asylum they are giving you that last chance to save big on items like Masks, the Rotten Rascals, Animatronics and more. For a limited time until September 30th, they have a few coupons and codes for you to use when checking out to save on items from their store.

You can have savings from $5, $10 and $25 on products. This is a limited sale so its time to take advantage if you are a haunt gearing up to open last minute, or a home haunt looking to expand your trick or treaters this year.

So look at the sales listed below and head on over. For all the products they have to offer visit: www.HalloweenAsylum.com

Halloween Asylum Savings

The All-New Nashville Nightmare Haunted Attraction Debuts This Weekend!

The All-New Nashville Nightmare Haunted Attraction

As the Haunt and Halloween Season officially kicks off this weekend. Many haunted attractions are opening their doors. We have discussed many of them over the last few weeks on the show and there are also many NEW events for 2011!

One of those is the all-new Nashville Nightmare in Tennessee.

The Nashville Nightmare is a new state of the art, detailed haunted attraction that wants to scare you out of your wits. All-New for 2011, they are promising to terrify you and leave you screaming in fear.

Located in Madison, TN, they are featuring two haunted houses on the ground including GRAVES MANOR and the MADISON GARDEN MORTUARY! Both events are ready to go this weekend as kick off their very first Haunt Season with screams assured to come. Rotting Flesh Radio is heading out to the event this opening weekend and we will bring you the shrieks on the show.

The ticket prices are $15.00 or you can skip in the lines with the Slasher Package of $25.00. For all the dates, times and kick off festivities this weekend visit them at: www.NashvilleNightmare.com

Distortions Unlimited Gets Their Own Travel Channel Series in “MAKING MONSTERS”

Distortions Unlimited

The Travel Channel continues to keep Halloween alive for all us haunters each season. From covering Haunted Attractions in shows like ‘America Haunts’ to the All-New ‘Halloween Crazy’, they are also showing off many of our friends in the industry on the vendor side too.

Our friends over at Distortions Unlimited are getting their own Travel Channel Series in “MAKING MONSTERS”. This series will feature veteran Haunt Vendors, and friends to Rotting Flesh Radio, Ed and Marsha Edmunds in their workshop in Colorado. They will also be joined by Jordu Schell who specializes in creating those mad monsters we all love to run from.

Ed and Marsha have been guests on Rotting Flesh Radio many times and we have talked with them at a variety of conventions such as Transworld’s Haunt Show. This past year at the annual tradeshow, they showcased some new monsters that will be sure to terrify haunters this season. Jordu is one of Ed’s best workman and is best known in hollywood for his work on Cameron’s Avatar.

The Travel Channel 'Weekends To Die For'

This limited season series on the Travel Channel, produced by Brian Leonard, will focus on Distortion’s Animatronics, Monsters and leading the way in the Haunted Attraction Industry for over 30 years. We will see how they are made, the process, and the final results in the scares haunts love to dish out using their products.

The series is going to give all of us in the Haunt Industry, Halloween Enthusiasts and curious Haunt Lovers a look into the industry we know and live all year long. The show will premiere as part of Travel Channel’s ‘Weekends To Die For’ this October.

For more information on all the Travel Channel’s Lineup visit: www.TravelChannel.com and for more on our friends over at Distortions visit: www.DistortionsUnlimited.com

Scare-Actor Spotlight: Ro Tag

by: RFR Casket Crew Unknown Scare Actor

As Rotting Flesh Radio draws closer to the Haunt Season, we continue to bring the Haunted Attraction Industry, Halloween Fun, Home Haunt, Pro Haunt and more to you weekly. With that said, we like to bring you the people who bring those haunted houses to life, scare you and make you shiver in fear every Halloween. So this week we continue with our SCARE ACTOR SPOTLIGHT.

Haunted house Scare Actor: RoTag

Let me start by saying that my name isn’t ro tag; but it is the name I use when online & scare acting. I’ve always been into the Halloween bit. As a kid I almost always dressed as a grim reaper. I first got the taste for scare acting when I was in middle school & participated in a fun, but short lived haunted house that the 4h horse & pony club. I would roam around as the grim reaper but didn’t really discover how much fun scaring could be till the night they stuck me in a casket & I got to control the push button fog machine.

Now after that, I was no longer timid of haunted houses & started to visit several as a patron. After the year of 2008, I decided that I would try-out for Kings Island’s Halloween Haunt in 2009. I got placed in there attraction called Urgent Scare as an infected nurse towards the end of the maze (if you have seen the movie called “The Crazies”, that’s what the attraction was based around). It wasn’t too much longer after rehearsals that I started to explore my talents.

I had some nights where I would sit on toppled over shopping carts & play statue; then for the one’s who wouldn’t be paying attention. That’s when I would snap to life on them. There were other nights that I would fit into small tight spaces that you wouldn’t expect someone (let alone a BIG guy) to be hiding in & pop out rapidly making cannibalistic snarling noises. Then there were times that I could get a group twice, once & the beginning of a straight away & then sneak down the backside of the straight away to nail them again when they would reach that end; followed by a sorta dance back down to other end of straight away. There were times I couldn’t necessarily get back in time for the next group coming, so I would sprint down the straight away till I got near them, then I would side step & bounce up off the curb to get airborne & look like I was going to land on top of them (but I made sure I never did land on them (safety). & lastly one of the easiest scares I learned to do is that I figured out how to make the fog thick enough outdoors to where I could hide in it. Then I would take on huge step (bout 6 ft lunge) toward the guest & snarl in there ear (while keeping a smile on my face), followed by flinging myself back into the dark shroud of the fog.

I went through the 2010 season visiting haunts & doing some fill-in work here & there. During the off-season, I was going to horror conventions dressed as Dr. Ro Tag. The basis behind this character is that he is a Zombie Voodoo Doctor. He has an accent that is a cross between Cajun & German. I do like this character, but I also miss the scaring; so this year, I can be found out on a trail as a scarecrow @ a place called The Mayhem Mansion. It’s located on 13966 DeCoursey Pike, Morning View, KY 41063. For more info on this Scream in the woods, you can visit: www.TheMayhemMansion.com.

Some advice for the newbie’s that are just getting there start: Rest up before your nights of scaring as it can wear you out if you don’t get plenty off it. Explore your surroundings to help build your character Bring enough cough drops &/or water that you can disguise in your scene Know the difference between someone slinging a punch out of fear & someone just trying to harass you.

Build multiple scenarios as to keep yourself fresh (that way you don’t get bored & if you encounter the same guest over & over, you can provide them with a little new material. Always listen to the veterans as they are a plethora of insider info & been there long enough to know what works & what doesn’t. Don’t & I repeat DON’T say “boo” or “get out”. Those are just cliché & tacky. & lastly don’t let anyone get you down or say that you suck. Prove them wrong by scaring the hell out of them.