Tuesday, July 31, 2018

Recap: Midsummer Scream 2018 - Day 1


The event I look forward to with glee every year, Midsummer Scream, was this past weekend. It returned for its third year at the Long Beach Convention Center and was expected to be bigger and better than ever (spoiler alert: it was)! There were approximately 20,000 attendees expected for each day, but I think it was closer to 25,000 Halloween lovers that actually showed up each day, with both days selling out! It was packed with excited Halloween and horror fans, and there was so much to do!

This year, Midsummer Scream featured a bigger show floor filled with incredible vendors, makeup artists, special FX artists, celebrity autograph signings, and more. I must have walked that show floor more than 10 times throughout the weekend, and every time I found something new! Then there was the expanded Hall of Shadows, featuring an entryway inspired by Frankenstein's castle, a new vendor section, performance stage, and of course the mini mazes! The bottom floor also held areas for the classrooms and photo ops. All of the major panels took place on the second floor (above the lobby) in the Grand Ballroom. The second floor also held the Black Cat Lounge, the second stage where other presentations took place, a screening room, and more.

I attended both days (check out my recap of Day 2!) and had a blast at both. I did so much that I decided to split my coverage into two posts, one for Saturday and another for Sunday. Saturday was spent mostly wandering the show floor, checking out the Hall of Shadows, and meeting up with other Halloween bloggers like Spooky Little Halloween and All Hallows Geek!

Check out some highlights of my Saturday at Midsummer Scream below:

Greeted by the familiar black cats upon entering the convention center!

I swear I was WAY more excited than I look!!

Official Midsummer Scream tees by Tee No Evil

Fiendies booth

Haunted OC booth

The entrance to the Hall of Shadows

Part of CalHauntS Castle Frankenstein display

Warner Bros' Horror Made Here IT display

Warner Bros' Horror Made Here The Conjuring 2 display featuring
Valak and The Crooked Man props

Wicked Pumpkin Hollow's incredible pumpkin patch display! I wanted to 
move in and just live here!

Inside Murder House Productions' Trick 'r Treat Fan Tribute maze -
it was my favorite of the haunts I visited! So fun and well-done with
fantastic scare actors and amazing sets!

At the Pool Party Massacre booth - they had such cool merch, like 
these hats that said I Love Indie Horror, I Love '80s Horror, etc.!

The Delusion: Lies Within VR experience was a hot ticket all weekend long!

I always love the Spooky Hollows maze and they again did a wonderful
job this year, and delivered a frightful scare with Mr. Sticky!

Another favorite, Hyde Street Massacre! Spooktacular scare actors and
lovely, Halloweenie set pieces!

More Hyde Street Massacre with my new best friend!

A wonderful Billy and Mary from Hocus Pocus!

Ahhhhh I adore everything KMSxCo does, including these perfect pillows!

Louis and Lestat from Interview with the Vampire hand-painted by 
KMSxCo - simply stunning!

Love Pain and Stitches fully stocked before the crowds descended - I think 
they were pretty much sold out within an hour!

Sweet Midnight makes custom Halloween sneakers! I NEED these!

Forever swooning over Miss Havisham's wicked teacups!

Hail Walt prayer candles by Drklght Clothing

Sam from Trick 'r Treat

The Real Life Doombuggy, the Haunted Mansion Car, aka DSNYBAT!

Looking for more brains at the In Search of Brains Creature Design booth!

Cassandra Peterson at the Elvira panel presentation. This panel was loads 
of fun and she was her usual hilarious self! She also signed autographs
and greeted fans all weekend long.

Trick or treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat!

An amazing Pennywise cosplay - swoon!

I freakin' loved these '80s-inspired horror tees from Monster Tease!


One of my fave costumes from the event - loved these two zombified pilgrims!

Trick or Treat Studios makes these rad air (scare) fresheners!

Walking through the Six Flag scare zone in the Hall of Shadows and this lovely
lady is baaaaaaaaack...

Another monster pal in the Six Flags scare zone

Adorable ornaments from Abbybelle

Little Haus of Horrors was one of my fave booths and I simply ADORED
these VHS pins - they were so tiny and so cute!

Fabulous Frights makes the most gore-geous home decor, like this Ouija 
table (swoon!)

VFX Creates (also, this was my face on Sunday when I realized 
Midsummer Scream was over)

Whew, as you can see Saturday was quite the fun day! It was exhausting and exhilarating at the same time, but it was a blast. It was very crowded, but everyone managed and it really helped to have a front-of-line pass (pro-tip: if you can, always get the VIP ticket!). The lines to the panels in the Grand Ballroom were pretty long, but they managed to control them pretty well. Overall I thought Midsummer Scream did a good job with crowd management and control, though I'm hoping they will have more room next year (they will be back at the Long Beach Convention Center, though rumor is they have rented out the entire convention center for next year). I also think it would be nice to spread the convention out over three days rather than just two. Nevertheless, if you know what to expect and prepare properly (see my tips and tricks for the convention HERE!), you should have a good time (I know I did!). 

After the convention ended, a bunch of us met up at Pizzanista for dinner and to unwind after a hectic day. Miranda from Spooky Little Halloween, Matt from Hallow Woods, Mike and his wife Misty from All Hallows Geek and Mr. and Mrs. Halloween joined us for a dinner full of yummy pizza and even better company! 

We all went to bed happy that night, and dreamed of our upcoming adventures on day two of Midsummer Scream...

Continue to my day two coverage AND to read about a big giveaway I have planned (make sure you are following me on Instagram to enter!). 

Until then, stay spooky!

Continue to Midsummer Scream 2018 - Day 2!

3 comments:

  1. We had SO much fun getting to meet you and enjoy that amazing dinner together! Can't wait to do it again soon!

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    Replies
    1. It was amazing meeting you two! Can't wait to hang out again (soon, please)! <3

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  2. I have attended MidSummer Scream for the past three years -- it is getting bigger and better! So much fun. The Haunted Mansion car was fabulous. Love the "Hocus Pocus" panel -- the guests were awesome and the stories were great! Loved the "Hall of Shadows" and the kitten meet & great! My only regret is that it is only two days and over so soon! Oh, well, there is always next year...and Halloween in the meantime!

    ReplyDelete

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