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| Photo: Waldorf Estate of Fear |
Writer, Haunt Hunters App
LEHIGHTON, Pa. – Waldorf Estate of Fear has seen its share of horror lore, and it'll soon be staging more of it - slasher style.
The filming location for Hell House, LLC is hosting a 40th Anniversary celebration of Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives on May 1-2, 2026, bringing both movie franchises together for a two-day event built around slasher history and immersive horror experiences.
“We wanted this to be different," said Angie Moyer, owner of Waldorf Estate of Fear. “This isn’t a convention. It’s a celebration.”
The event, Jason Lives in Hell, includes cast appearances, dinner add-on options, themed photo ops, live music, access to Grimville Slaughterhouse, vendors, a costume contest, movie screenings, and interactive experiences designed for horror fans.
And, yes, Jason and characters from Hell House LLC will be roaming the grounds, Moyer said.
“All we do is create fear,” Moyer said.
The idea for the celebration came from James J. Haggery, known as “Jimmy J” of Horror/365, with Waldorf offering the location as a new way to mark the season’s Halfway to Halloween programming.
While Jason Lives was not filmed at the site, organizers say the Abaddon Hotel, the name of the location in Hell House LLC, provides a fitting scene for a celebration rooted in spookiness and horror fandom.
The event is sponsored by Bloody Disgusting, which Moyer said quickly signed on in support of the concept. She added that the partnership with Bloody Disgusting also opens the door to future events and projects.
Celebrities on hand for the celebration include CJ Graham, who played the hockey-masked killer in Jason Lives, Thom Mathews (Tommy Jarvis), Kerry Noonan (Camp Counselor Paula Mott), and Jason Lives Writer and Director Tommy McLoughlin.
On the Hell House LLC side, Writer and Director Stephen Cognetti, Danny Bellini (Alex Taylor), Jared Hacker (Tony Prescott), Adam Schneider (Mac McNamara), Bailey Moyer (Dead Girl), Phil Hess (Joey), Savannah Mickel (the hitchhiker) and Makeup Artist Jae Rehm are scheduled to appear for photos, panels, and meet and greets.
“We thought it would be a nice way to commemorate the 40th Anniversary,” Moyer said.
Moyer said she was excited to have the cast and crew from Hell House LLC back on the property. Not only has the Hell House LLC franchise amassed a large following, but Waldorf played an enormous role in that success.
“Waldorf is the Abaddon,” Moyer said. “Every scene you see is the Waldorf. We shaped every single bit of it. When people come, it’s all the movie.”
Jason Lives picks up years after Jason Voorhees is believed to be gone, but he's resurrected after a botched attempt to destroy his body. The story returns the action to Camp Crystal Lake, where Jason resumes his violent rampage. The film stands out in the series for its lighter touch and sharp humor, while firmly reestablishing Jason as an unstoppable, supernatural presence. The movie depicts a version of the character that would define the franchise going forward.
The installment is often mentioned as a favorite among fans of the serial slasher.
Festivities begin Friday, May 1 at 3 p.m.
One of Waldorf's haunted attractions, Grimville Slaughterhouse, will be open Friday only from 6 to 8 p.m. General admission tickets include entry into the haunt.
Saturday’s programming expands into a daytime festival starting at noon.
Cast signings, behind-the-scenes tours and a new Escape Hell House experience, now called Return to Hell House, will be available both days.
“If you’ve been to Escape Hell House before, this is not the same,” she said.
Several ticketed photo opportunities are scheduled that include movie-themed backgrounds, including the graveyard scene in Jason Lives and a cabin setting.
Both nights will feature a 40th Anniversary Dinner Celebration, ticketed events that includes dinner, an open bar during the early portion of the event, a commemorative poster and a cake-cutting ceremony.
Organizers will also present awards honoring the cast of Jason Lives, followed by a full anniversary screening and a live question-and-answer session.
Moyer said the unique celebration will provide a positive boost for the area and local horror fans, who won't have to travel too far in a struggling economy.
“The economy isn’t the greatest, and a lot of people can’t travel farther to (events),” she said. “This gives fans something special closer to home.”
And by blending a landmark slasher anniversary with the immersive world of Hell House LLC, organizers hope to create an experience that honors the Jason Lives legacy and the fan community that has sustained it for four decades.
For the full event lineup and ticket information, visit https://www.waldorfestateoffear.com/.
