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Author: Brian Foreman

Great Lakes FrightFest: More Than a Camping Retreat for Haunters

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:05:21 — 89.7MB)

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Great Lakes FrightfestCamping. Haunted House. Haunt Gathering. Make and Takes. A weekend full of scary fun! These are just a few things you might discover on your weekend at the Great Lakes FrightFest in Petersburg, Michigan on May 30-June 1st.

Great Lakes FrightFest is an annual haunters get-together for home and pro haunters alike. Located at a campground in South East Michigan for the last 14 years. Events include activities such as show and tells, demos, make and takes, a pot luck dinner, raffle and door prizes, and events for the kids.

We interview Kkrazy Kkaren Taylor from the Great Lakes Frightfest and find out that this event isn’t any normal Camp-Out. For example, this Haunt Gathering is not open to the public. Just you and other Halloween and Haunted Attraction junkies just like you! It is also a family friendly function which means you can bring the kids with you. There are children activities too! Also, most profits go into helping many charities Karen has set up. Your money is going into supporting great causes and helping others that are not as fortunate. For a complete list of charities make sure to check out their website.

Here are a few of the charities that the Great Lakes FrightFest help every year: Gleaners Food Bank, Monroe Humane Society, Kotumes 4 Kids, Kostumes 4 Kritters, and this years special charity, St. Jude’s Children’s Cancer research.

 

Great Lakes FrightFest Schedule Summary: (Click here to visit their website)

Thursday

  • Set Up Camp.
  • Start on your Haunted House Room

Friday

  • Breakfast and Lunch “on your own”
  • Finish campsite assembly
  • Set Up individual sites
  • Campfire Social
  • Dinner provided

Saturday

  • Haunt Related Demos
  • Children’s activities all day
  • Pot Luck Dinner
  • Raffle & Door Prizes
  • Children’s Hayride
  • Haunter’s Against Hunger Haunted House
  • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner provided

Sunday

  • Haunt Related Demos
  • Children’s activities throughout the day
  • Tear Down
  • Breakfast & Lunch provided

 

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The West Coast Haunters Convention and Haunt X with Ed and Garrett

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:06:13 — 90.9MB)

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In this episode of HaunTopic Radio, we bring ‘some’ of the West Coast Haunt Events to you! In Salem, Oregon from the West Coast Haunter’s Convention with Ed Roberts and Reno, Nevada from Haunt X with Garrett Call. Two great shows all in one podcast!

Haunt X is a haunter’s retreat for Halloween lovers, pro haunters, and home haunters. It is located in Reno, Nevada at the Circus Circus on May 9-11.

We interview Garrett Call, the new owner of Haunt X, and get the scoop on how the gathering has changed under his guidance and what you can expect from the trade show and all of the events taking place. With low-cost room rates and price friendly packages, this show would make a great Haunter’s vacation!

The West Coast Haunters Convention is located in Salem, Oregon at the DoubleTree Hotel on May 15-18, 2014. This is a haunters convention for all; whether you are a pro haunter, home haunter, or Halloween enthusiast. The WCHC is a 501(c)3 organization that uses it’s profits to give grants to professionals who work with children with hearing impairments and/or autism.

We interview Ed Roberts, founder of the West Coast Haunters Convention and The Nightmare Factory Haunted House, about what’s new for the trade show, education, and entertainment this year.

 

Haunt X: Haunter’s Retreat & Trade Show

Haunt X Haunters Retreat

Thursday 5/8/2104 – Advanced education classes / Pre-show warm-up party / Paranormal tour in historic Virginia City

Friday 5/9/2014 – Trade show / Workshops / Seminars / Pub crawl & scavenger hunt

Saturday 5/10/2014 – Trade show / Workshops / Seminars / Circus of the Damned Masquerade Ball

Sunday 5/11/2014 – Trade show / Workshops / Seminars /‘Grave’yard sale & swap meet / Wind down pizza & beer movie night

Click here to register for Haunt X.

 

The West Coast Haunter’s Convention

West Coast Haunters Convention

 

There will be over 40 hours of classes and workshop over 3 days. All three days will showcase a large selection of vendors in the exhibit hall.

  • A VIP Combo ticket costs $114 in advance or $119 at the door. It includes 3-day pass, Costume Ball, Haunt Tour, and T-Shirt.
  • A 3 day pass is $49 in advance or $55 at the door
  • One day pass is $30 per day in advance or $35 at the door.
  • The West Coast Haunters Costume Ball starts at 9pm on Saturday. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.
  • A special viewing of Rocky Horror Picture Show Thursday evening at the Clinton Street Theater. Tickets are $10 and prop bags are $5 per person.
  • On Friday evening is a tour of Milburn Manor Haunted house. Tickets are $35 and includes food and transportation. Buses leave at 7pm.
  • VIP’s this year are Roy Wooly, RJ Haddy, and Nix Herrera from Face Off and Jesse Lagers from Hero’s of Cosplay.
  • The Davis Graveyard will be teaching a How to work with a creative team seminar on Friday 1-2pm and a Foam texturing demo Saturday 1-2. They will also be on a Home Haunters Panel Sunday at 11am.

To save money buy your tickets in advance.

Click here to register for the West Coast Haunters Convention

 

Haunt Topics in This Episode:

 

The WINNERS ARE: George (simplePC), Johnf3, and Dan Nurczyk! You must be a member of The Haunter’s Toolbox Newsletter to win next time. It’s FREE. Sign Up Here.

We gave away….

(2) Rust Kits from Brutal Rust

How To Rust Your Props

(1) Slaughterhouse Package from Stabbing House

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What’s New for the National Haunter & Halloween Show in 2014

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 53:09 — 73.0MB)

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National Haunters Convention-Halloween ShowThe National Halloween, Horror, Haunted House and Hearse Convention is on May 2nd- 4th, 2014 at the Expo center in Oaks, PA. Almost 100 vendors, more seminars, haunted house tours, and after-the-show events!

We talk to Michael Bruner, Co-owner of the National Haunter’s Convention, about the history of the NHC and what’s new for the convention this year. Including a cheaper show price and a reinvented show room floor! We also dig into Michael’s background as a home haunter and why he feels that home haunters make the best Haunt Owners.

What’s New for the National Haunter & Halloween Show in 2014

-A completely new Show Floor area never seen before. Be prepared to leave scared in our all new pitch black area with an expanded Haunted House run by S&C Scare Factory. Find your destiny in the dark if you dare!

– All New Show floor area with larger professional Haunted House Props and Product Sections, featuring some of the biggest names in the industry: Nevermore Productions and Creepy Collection.

– All New LOWER Show floor price of only $15. In addition, a Family Friendly expanded policy of FREE entrance for kids 12 and under! This Includes entrance to the show, access to all vendors, access to our public stage classes, as well as all the professional entertainment stage show events produced by John Bundy (Wacky Dracky) of Six Flags Great Adventure, Trump Plaza in Atlantic City and Ocean’s Park of Hong Kong.

– Expanded Halloween Unique Original Works with an all new display of Donna Marian’s Dark Creations (Unique Gothic Dolls and Life Size Figures!)

The Topics Covered in This Podcast:

 

Win one of these cool prizes! Enter before April 24th, 2014. You must be a member of The Haunter’s Toolbox Newsletter. It’s FREE. Sign Up Here.

All new registrants that sign up before April 24th will be automatically entered.

(2) Rust Kits from Brutal Rust

How To Rust Your Props

(1) Slaughterhouse Package from Stabbing House

buy bloody propsbuy bloody props

How did you like this podcast episode? Leave a comment or share it with your friends.

 

LIVE From the Transworld Halloween and Attractions Show 2014

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:48:25 — 148.9MB)

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Transworld Haunt Show 2014We just couldn’t do it!

We wanted to space out these interviews from the 2014 Transworld Halloween & Attractions Show over a few podcast episodes. Instead we packed them all into one show!! Yes…19 interviews from some of the vendors LIVE from the trade show floor.

We decided that you need to experience the Transworld trade show just like I did. Listen to some unique interviews from some of the best vendors in the Haunt Industry. Learn about new products for your prop building projects or tips for running your Haunted Attraction. And live in the ambiance of the noises and sounds all around you.

Walk with me as we stroll through the Transworld Halloween and Attractions Show 2014 (Haunt Show) and meet friends along the way. This podcast is almost 2 hours and I say the word ‘Transworld 2014’ a lot but the value of this podcast episode might just keep you fulfilled until you make it to your next Haunt trade show or Halloween convention.

 

The Halloween & Attractions Show opens for business March 19-22, 2015 at the America’s Center in downtown St. Louis.

TransWorld’s Halloween & Attraction show is the ONLY industry trade show of its kind in the world. There is no other show that has as many exhibitors and industry related products. For the last 19 years, TransWorld’s annual Halloween & Attractions show has created the market place for the Haunted House industry. Each year the Industry gathers to network, get new ideas and purchase products. This show is a MUST ATTEND event if you are thinking about opening or currently operate a Haunt, Corn Maze, Farm, Pumpkin Patch, Paint Ball Field, Family Fun Center, Amusement Park, Zoo, Aquarium, Halloween Retail Store or anything Halloween related. We have everything you need to make your Halloween season a success. Each year, the show continues to grow with NEW EXHIBITORS, NEW PRODUCT, and more buyers on the show floor. The Halloween & Attractions Show combines the products and knowledge of over 300 exhibitors that you need to see this March! –HAASHOW.COM

 

Haunters and Vendors we interview in this podcast episode:

 
 

Win one of these cool prizes! Enter before April 24th, 2014. You must be a member of The Haunter’s Toolbox Newsletter. It’s FREE. Sign Up Here.

All new registrants that sign up before April 24th will be automatically entered.

(2) Rust Kits from Brutal Rust

How To Rust Your Props

(1) Slaughterhouse Package from Stabbing House

buy bloody propsbuy bloody props

How did you like this podcast episode? Leave a comment or share it with your friends.

 

An Inside Look at ‘Fright Props’ with Doug Anderson

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 56:56 — 78.2MB)

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Fright Props Catalog 2014In this episode of HaunTopic Radio, we kidnap Doug Anderson from the Halloween and Haunted House supply company Fright Props! Doug gives his insights on why you need to attend the Transworld Halloween and Attractions Show, what has changed in the haunt industry in the last 10 years, what to expect from Fright Props in the upcoming months, and some ideas to take your Haunt to the next level. We also strap Doug into the electric chair and squeeze some personal information out of him until he confesses.

If you have ordered anything online for your Haunted House, you have probably ran into Fright Props along the way. FrightProps.com has everything you need to pimp out your Home Haunt or add those extra details to your existing Haunted Attraction. From pneumatics to flame resistant materials. Fogs and scents. Masks and weapons. And a whole lot more! Doug has been selling and building high quality fright props since 2003 and his passion shows through in this personal audio interview.

Also, if you need direction or advice on how to get started in building your own props then the Fright Props Catalog can’t be overlooked. It is filled with easy-to-understand photos and diagrams to get you started. You can even find great information on the Fright Props website or view the online catalog. These resources are overloaded with scary goodness! Find these links below.

If you are attending the Transworld Halloween and Attractions show this year then you need to stop by the Fright Props Booth #323 and check out what Doug has to offer. He has added new items to the ‘cash and carry’ product line this year so you better bring a BIG truck!

Haunt Topics in This Episode

Hope to see you at Transworld!!