In just it's 3rd year, Midsummer Scream has taken it's place as one of the most organized, fun, stress free and amazing conventions of the year. Last weekend we were on-hand all weekend to check out all of the amazing panels, the Hall of Shadows and just a fun time with all our haunted friends. 

Let's head into the fog ... 

Welcome to Midsummer Scream 2018!!! 

First up was the Knott's Scary Farm panel where they talked a lot about their process and announced an all new scare zone Forsaken Lake

The Hall of Shadows was bigger and better than ever

We can't wait to check out these full events in October!! 

No Midsummer Scream would be complete without a visit to the Black Cat Lounge 

Six Flags Panel where the monsters came out to play

Girls, Girls, Girls!!! 

Caption Contest!!! 

Queen Mary Dark Harbor Panel is always one of the highlights of the weekend 

Nice photo-bomb Big Mike!! 

An all new panel this year from Warner Brothers and their Horror Made Here event 

The excitement for this event is palpable, the room was very full for a first year panel 

We also had a chance to talk with Jon Braver from Delusion 

The last panel of Midsummer Scream was a unification of Halloween Horror Nights on both coasts. No big announcements, but the 90 minute chat was amazing!! 

Had a great time talking with John, Chris and Michael where we talked about non-IP mazes, non-existent fights and kick ass shoes. 

A behind the scenes look at how the magic happens. 

Thanks Midsummer Scream for another amazing year, already counting down the days until next year. 

Related Videos: ​

Last year when we did our Midsummer Scream updates we called it the "unofficial" kick-off to the Halloween Season. 

Judging by the growth of this event in just it's second year it's safe to go ahead and remove the unofficial moniker. The event was run like a well-oiled machine given the longer prep time vs last years event. 

Before we start diving into Halloween 2017, let's take a look back at the epic 2016 Halloween Season 

Welcome to Midsummer Scream!!

Despite a couple of long lines to kick off the event (everywhere has security, get used to it, plan ahead) we have heard overwhelmingly positive things about this years event. 

Our first stop was the amazing Hall of Shadows which was even bigger this year. Hey, we know those guys!!! 

With all of the mini-haunts, monsters walking around and the Decayed Brigade shows this was definitely one of the more popular spots this weekend. 

Somebody's about to get scurred ... 

Despite being called "mini haunts" some of these were amazing and some of these independent haunts are going to have amazing years. 

Some of the themeing is on-par with the big time haunts. Shows some of the amazing time people put into these events. 

One of our favorite haunts last year is back ... they offered both PG-13 and rated R shows. I'll let you guess which one we saw. =) 

You never know who you're gonna find just walking around Midsummer Scream. Hanging out with the legendary Bob Gurr. 

Some awesome booths for things we all might want to check out, including Scream Box. 

Here's Greggie!!

(Seriously, where else can you pull an axe on your son and have him laugh about it) 

Our first panel of the weekend was for Knott's Scary Farm. Despite being a bit on the short side we did get some tidbits about this years event. 

​Their full event will be unveiled on August 31. 

(click any of the pictures below for a larger version) 

Next up was Fright Fest at Six Flags Magic Mountain and there were some amazing things announced 

(click any of the pictures below for a larger version) ​

Lastly on Saturday was Queen Mary's Dark Harbor, and they announced a whole bunch of new bars, a new maze, hidden bars, re-designed mazes, ice bars, Costume Balls and more bars. 

(click any of the pictures below for a larger version) ​

On Sunday we headed to the Halloween Horror Nights panel which was easily the largest panel of the weekend. HHN fans are crazy dedicated. 

Below highlights of the Ash vs Evil Dead maze along with some artwork shown during the presentation. 

(click any of the pictures below for a larger version) ​

Below highlights of The Shinihng maze along with some artwork shown during the presentation. ​

(click any of the pictures below for a larger version) ​

This year, ORIGINAL SCARE ZONES!! And they look awesome!!! We really loved the Gauntlet of Fear last year although The Purge isn't scary. It seems to be coming back in some form this year on the Backlot. 

(click any of the pictures below for a larger version) ​

Lastly on Sunday we attended the Winchester Mystery House panel, one of our favorite places. And this year they have expanded their Candlelight Tours! 

The entire panel is a podcast on The Season Pass so be sure you check it out. 

20 nights this year!!! 

They also talked a bit about Winchester which is in theaters next February. We simply can't wait for this movie. 

And because Winchester Mystery House is amazing, they gave everybody in the audience 2 tickets to the all new "Explore More" tour and an amazing print. There will be more of these so be sure you head up to the house and get yours! 

And with that, the curtain has come down on another amazing Midsummer Scream. 

We are SO ready for Halloween Season and we only have a little over a month until it all begins. 

Today we're kicking off our Halloween coverage in a HUGE way with Day One from last weekends Midsummer Scream. Below you'll find some great pictures and video from the show floor, hall of shadows and three of the amazing panels that were held on the first day of this amazing convention. 

Putting on an event is hard, it takes a LOT of hard work. As we learned from a lot of the panels over the weekend, when it comes to a Halloween event the work for the next years event usually starts just after (or sometimes during) the previous years event. Putting on any large scale event is no different. The amount of planning and preparation that goes on takes a year, from booking talent, convention space, vendors, and in the case of Midsummer Scream, scare zones and mazes. 

The fact that the team was able to do all of this in about 4 months is amazing. Even considering the years of expertise of those involved (and they are exceptional at what they do) pulling off what they pulled off in 4 months was amazing. 

Saturday: 

We arrived at the event about 30 minutes prior to doors open, usually a time when you find chaos and issues everywhere. Yet there was a calm and orderly general admission line, when we went inside to get our press badges there were only a few people in line. The staff knew just where to send us and we were ready to go with a good 15-20 minutes before the event opened. 

This gave us time to catch up with friends, get some amazing pictures and plan our attack for the day. 

First up was a walk of the show floor, which is the heart of any event of this kind. And this was our kind of event. So many amazing displays, merchandise and even mini experiences. We could have spent SO much money.

We then headed into the Hall of Shadows and without even realizing it we walked right into a Scare Zone ... at a convention. And it was amazing. You could tell the talent was having so much fun with it, and the entire event was just so calm and relaxed, no drama that we could see. ​

​Be sure to check out our 360° video of Hall of Shadows. We will have additional videos with our day two update next week. 

​Our first panel of the day was "Frightful Attraction Design for Theme Park Audiences" and our first chance to thank the Midsummer Scream crew for all of their hard work.

 This didn't have the feeling of a first year event and you could tell they were all (rightfully) proud of what they've created. ​

Oh yeah, the panel. It was amazing. Great talk about some amazing dark rides like Indiana Jones Adventure, Monster Plantation at SFOG, the Ghostbusters show at USF and of course the greatest scary dark attraction of all time Alien Encounter (I assume as sadly I never got to experience it). 

Having the panel hosted by Rick West who's expertise and familiarity with both the rides and the panelists made it that much better. 

After a quick lunch at one of the plethora of nearby eateries it was time for our 2nd panel of Midsummer Scream ... Queen Mary's Dark Harbor. 

First of all, if you've never been to Dark Harbor, what are you waiting for? 

Secondly, if you've never attended a panel about Queen Mary's Dark Harbor at one of these conventions, what are you waiting for? The cast of characters they bring out is amazing. Both at their event and at Midsummer Scream their actors get to bring their own personality and fun into the experience. 

Throughout the presentation they talked about this years event (you can find all of that information here). Needless to say it's going to be amazing once again and we can't wait to experience this amazing event again. 

Click to see the full update on what's coming to Queen Mary's Dark Harbor in 2016 ... 

After some more time spent on the show floor it was time to head back into the ballroom and to check out the presentation for Halloween Horror Nights. 

Unlike the other panels of the weekend nothing was actually announced at the HHN panel, but that didn't take away from the greatness of it. John and Chris so love what they do and it shows. They spent the hour (that went by way too quick) talking about the history of the "Big 4" Slashers that will be appearing at this years event. 

And that's going to pretty much wrap it up for day 1. Be sure to check back on Monday for Day Two of Midsummer Scream. 

In the meantime, be sure to check out the release for Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Freddy vs Jason coming to Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood and for Krampus coming to HHN Hollywood and Orlando. 

Be sure to check back next week for the rest of our Midsummer Scream coverage and great panels from Six Flags Magic Mountain and Knott's Berry Farm.