Halloween Takes over Philly

 

Philadelphia, PA - Halloween takes over Philly as the first ever East Coast Haunters Convention presented by Transworld come to Oaks, PA from April 26-28, 2024. Haunted Attractions from across the east coast will be previewing their haunted houses for the upcoming Halloween season. It also provides vendors with the opportunity to showcase their new products that give haunted attractions the tools needed to scare at a high level during Halloween.

"We wanted to allow those who might not be able to attend the show in St Louis the opportunity have a similar experience" says Transworld owner Jen Thaler

The Transworld Halloween show in St. Louis has become the world's largest expo and has become so popular that it has added a Christmas show that runs with the haunts.

"We have something for everyone who loves Halloween and we welcome all haunt enthusiast" says Thaler.

The star studded lineup includes some of the best haunted attractions from the east coast. Pennsylvania alone was rated the top state for haunted attractions for 2023 with nationally recognized hauntes such as Reaper's Revenge in Scranton, PA, Field of Screams in Mountville, PA and Pennhurst Asylum in Spring City, PA to name a few.

The Woods of Terror from South Carolina will be in attendance. This Haunted Attraction was the 2023 National Championship in the League of Haunts presented by the Haunt Hunters App. Look for the one they call Bone Daddy.

Pure Terror Scream park in Monroe, NY broke the Guinness book of world records with the longest haunted attraction. Pure Terror will be on hand with the largest Halloween props that will provide for one of a kind photo opportunities. "We always go bigger and better every season" says Pure Terror general manager Montgomery Henry. Pure Terror is know in the industry for not sparing any expense to bring the best animatronics to Monroe, New York. "The Haunting never stops, we work on the attractions everyday of the year" added Henry

Waldorf Estate of Fear in Lehighton, PA  has been featured in the movie series Hell House, LLC and offers many off season experiences.

Halls of Horror in Palmerton, PA offers a unique blood experience that is not for the faint of heart.

Halloween in April, for any haunt fan, this event is heaven,

Event Updates on you smartphone: www.HauntHuntersApp.com

Chiller Time in Parsippany, NJ

Parsippany, NJ - The famous Chiller Theater is set for another round from April 26-28 at the Parsippany Hilton. As the Chiller fan base say's, It's Chiller Time!

For those who attend Chiller Theatre, the twice-yearly horror and celebrity-themed toy, model and film convention taking place this weekend at the Parsippany Hilton.

More than 8,000 people are expected to attend Chiller Theatre this weekend to meet hundreds of celebrity guests and peruse horror movie memorabilia.

William Shatner of Star Trek is the headliner for the weekend show.

The celebrity lineup includes actors and actresses from cult classics like "Desperatly Seeking Susan," "American Horror Story" and "Back to the Future,".

Fans of the classic movie "The Warriors" will be in for a treat as they are celebrating their 45th Anniversary and will have over 15 cast members attending the event.

A complete guest list can be found at chillertheatre.com

"I am making the trio from Pennsylvania for one reason" , says Tara Adams, a Scranton, PA resident who has attended 10 Chiller events. " Once Dylan McDermott was annouced , I bought my ticket right away." McDermott is a famous actor known for "The Practice" and "American Horror Story"

Chiller Theatre’s founder and operator, Kevin Clement, attended conventions in Manhattan as a teenager in the mid-1970s. Fifteen or so years later he decided to stage his own event."I was selling movie posters and memorabilia to people by mail," Clement says. "I thought that a convention would be a great way we could all get together in person."

The first Chiller Theatre, then known as Horrorthon, took place over two days at the Williams Center in Rutherford in 1990, with three celebrity guests and 1,300 attendees.

The show has grown each year, moving first to the Secaucus Hilton and then the Rothman Center in Hackensack. It became Chiller Theatre in its third year. Several years later the convention moved to Parsippany. The expo returns for a fall installment in October.

Clement says Chiller Theatre stands out from other conventions for its fan-friendly atmosphere. At Chiller it's not like that. People get to talk to the person. Everybody gets their little moment."

WHAT: Chiller Theatre Horror, Toy, Model and Film Expo. The event features hundreds of vendors, film and television stars, and other celebrity and musical guests.

WHEN: April 26 -27, 2024

www.Chillertheater.com

Maryland Haunts Open Doors in April

Oaks, PA -- Some Maryland Haunted Attractions will be opening their doors for special haunt tours as part of the first ever East Coast Haunters Convention that will take place from April 25-28 at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center presented by Transworld. The haunt pre show tours for Thursday, April 25th will begin at 11am with registration at the Hilton Garden Inn, located at 500 Cresson Blvd, Phoenixville, PA. For haunt fans across the east coast, this provides a halfway to Halloween experience. Three Maryland Haunted Attractions will be part of the Haunt Tour. Legends of the Fog, Aberdeen, Maryland Laurel's House of Horror, Laurel, Maryland Markoff's Haunted Forest, Dickerson, Maryland

Dave Harding, owner of Markoff's Forest has been preparing Markoff's Haunted Forest for those who will be on the tour. "We are looking forward to having the East Coast Haunters Convention out to Markoff's Haunted Forest, says Harding,

"We will doing a full show with actors, animatronica and all the special effects" added Harding. For those not familiar with the industry, performing a full show with actors is a massive undertaking, and to do this in the month of April is not common to say the least.

"While we are trying to give the haunt tour participants the best show possible, one thing we can't replace in April is the energy that comes from over 1,000 excited guests hanging out in our midway as they prepare to enter the forest. "

"There is nothing quite like a busy Saturday night in October, with people cheering on someone attempting the Death Roll high ropes challenge, sitting around bonfires listening to the DJ, or the smell of all the amazing foods coming from Cotton Candy, Damned Donuts, Freaking Hot Drinks, or our farm fresh concession stand."

The stage has been set for those who cannot get enough of the Halloween season.

More Information : www.eastcoasthauntersconvention.com

 

Valentine's Day Chaos

Hollerin Haunts Hayride to hold My Bloody Valentine, Feb. 10 & 17, 2024

Photo courtesy of Hollerin Haunts Hayride

While corny and cliché love celebrations might be typical this time of year, a haunted attraction in North Carolina is hoping couples scream their way into each other's arms this Valentine's Day. 

“From a man's perspective, it's almost inevitable that you're going to get closer to your girl going through,” said Robert Pfouts, an owner of Hollerin Haunts Hayride in Clinton, NC. 

“I don't really know why girls do it,” he joked.

Hollerin Haunts will be open on Feb. 10 and Feb.17. 2024, for couples, friends, and haunt fans to celebrate Valentine's Day in a not so conventional way. 

Guests likely won't find beautiful bouquets of roses, cheesy ballads, and lovey-dovey signs of affection at the event, called My Bloody Valentine. 

Rather, Hollerin Haunts will be full of creepy clowns, creatures, and chaos. 

“I think it's just something different,” Pfouts said. “It's a different vibe for Valentine's Day.”

Photo courtesy of Hollerin Haunts Hayride

The haunt's hayride, which ends with a walk-through attraction, and The Darkness, a blackout walk-through, will be open. 

Guests can also play games, participate in escape rooms, grab a bite to eat, experience a coffin ride, and hang out and enjoy the spooky atmosphere. 

The haunt also will be showing a movie, possibly My Bloody Valentine, while guests enjoy their evening, Pfouts said.

At least 65 actors will be on hand to scare guests throughout the night. The same amount of effort that is put into the regular season will be put into the Valentine's Day haunts, he said.

“We strive to give everyone the best possible show every night,” Pfouts said. “We put the same amount of effort into the Valentine's Day show as we do for Halloween. So, it should be a good time.” 

If you go:

My Bloody Valentine

Feb. 10 and Feb. 17, 2024

7 to 11 p.m.

Ticket packages for the hayride/walk-through and The Darkness start at $35. Speed Pass and VIP options are available. 

More information can be found at www.hollerinhauntshayride.com.

Abattoir Haunt Indiana Valentines

Vincennes, Indiana - Abattoir Haunted Attraction will be having a special Valentines Haunt for one night only on February, 17, 2024 called Die My Darling. Abattoir, which means Slaughterhouse in french, features 2 floors of horrifying experiences and ultra realistically costumed actors that will scare you to death! All of your fears and senses will be pushed to their limits and you will never know what to expect when you turn the next corner.

Tapp the Haunt Hunters App on your smartphone for all of the Top Haunted Attractions from across the country. All featured in the Book Halloween Haunts on Etsy.

Sir Henry's Haunted Valentines

Plant City, Florida -- Sir Henry's Haunted Trail will be open for their annual Valentines Event called Love's Revenge. This features two haunted trails, escape games, laser tag, and more. Always a Great Experince at Sir Henry's Haunted Trail. Two dates only February 9-10 from 6:30 - 11:00.

Tapp the App Haunthuntersapp on your Smartphone to bring all of the Best Haunted Houses 2024 for Valentines Day.

Krampus Set to Visit the Naughty and Nice in Weissport, Pa.

Krampusnacht Kreepshow and Black Forest Krampusnacht are happening Dec. 1-2, 2023

Both events are scheduled for The Hofford Mill in Weissport, Pa.

While Christmas preparations are in full swing across the country, one venue in Northeastern Pennsylvania is celebrating an alternative to the traditional, jolly festivities. 

The Hofford Mill in Weissport, Pa., is hosting two days of Krampus-themed events on Dec. 1-2, 2023. 

Krampus is a character with goat horns, cloven hooves, and an often demon-like face. The creature is said to have originated in Eastern Europe. 

According to folklore, Krampus arrives in December to punish children who misbehave, as opposed to Saint Nicholas, who rewards well-behaved children with presents. 

Krampusnacht Kreepshow, an adult-oriented event, will kick off the weekend at The Hofford Mill on Dec. 1, 2023. It's the pre-party to the family-friendly Carbon County Black Forest Krampusnacht, which will be held at the venue on Dec. 2.

“We just want people to come out and have a good time and to give a bit of an alternative to the candy cane Christmas, said Amy Dougherty, owner of Black Rock Events, which organized the Krampus celebrations. “It gives us something a little bit different to enjoy for the holidays.”

Photo: Haunt Hunters App
Black Forest Krampusnacht, 2021

Friday, Dec. 1, 2023

Krampusnacht Kreepshow begins Friday evening. According to the event announcement, it includes:

• Live music by Habeas Krampus: The Twisted Oompah led by Mistriss Krismas, who “punishes the naughty and teases the nice.”

• Twisted sideshow antics of Lady Gypsy, Professional Monstrosity.

• A screening hosted by Madame Crufeli of the original “A Christmas Carol” (1951).

• Awards by the Keystone Arts Collective for the best dressed Kreeps and Krampi.

• Eastern European food and drink specials from the Hofford Mill and Coal Country Bolio and unique, alternative and cultural vendors.

Tickets for Friday's event are a $5 donation per person. Parking is available onsite for Krampus Kreepshow.

Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023

Saturday's Black Forest Krampusnacht, appropriate for all age groups, runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and includes:

• Approximately 100 “fun-filled, creepy, spooky, unique, and Krampusy” vendors.

• A Krampuslauf Parade of the Krampi with acostume contest judged by Susquehanna Krampus.

• Krampus-themed games, including a baby toss competition, using fake babies, in keeping with the legend of Krampus whisking away ill-behaved children. 

• Krampusnacht photo ops.

• Live music by Big Country; the Peaceful Outlaws; Jessica Corbin; and polka band, The Pennsylvania Villagers.

• A series of local musicians presented by WaxPax Records.

• An interactive Krampus display by Robbie's Balloons.

• A series of D&D mini-campaigns by Jokers Are Wild.

• Doc Robert's of Colossal Radio playing festive tunes.

• Madame Crufeli showcasing her Merry Mutilations Holiday Movie Cuts.

• Folklore story time by Danielle Martin of Ambler Library. 

• Artwork by Keystone Arts Collective members.

• Children's arts and crafts.

“It's going to be a busy day,” Dougherty said. “It's going to be a lot to take in in a few hours.”

Dougherty said Black Rock Events was asked by the Carbon Chamber in mid-October to organize Black Forest Krampusnacht, which is in its fourth year. 

With help from Marissa Strohlein from Big Creek Vineyard and Kate McEvilly from The Hofford Mill, the trio put an ambitious schedule together to get the job done.

“We worked really hard,” Dougherty said. “We all put a lot of effort in to put this together in a short amount of time.”

If You Go:

Parking will be available onsite for Friday's Krampusnacht Kreepshow.

Onsite parking for Saturday's Black Forest Krampusnacht is limited. Handicapp parking is available onsite. Overflow parking will be available at:

1375 Oak Grove Road

Lehighton, PA 18235

Shuttles will be provided to and from The Hofford Mill, running every 8 to 10 minutes, depending on traffic.

The cost for parking at both The Hofford Mill and the shuttle site is $20.