March 11, 2025

NEWS: Convention Season & Transworld RECAP

This week: Transworld RECAP; Midsummer Scream tickets now on sale; East Coast Haunters Convention and pre-show tours; Registration opens for Texas Haunters Convention; Six Flags prepares for a massive 2025 season; United Parks' earnings show trouble...

Show Notes
Transcript

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Coming up your weekly roundup of news from around the

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haunt industry. Welcome to the show. I'm Philip on the

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HN Show. We bring you the haunt news, information, and

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education you need to prepare for Halloween. On Tuesdays, we

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bring you a roundup of news from haunts worldwide. Read

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more about these stories and so much more in our

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free weekly newsletter. Subscribe at the link in the show notes.

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And as always for the news roundup, I'm passing it

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off to Darryl.

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After surviving trans World and the resulting convention crud that

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affected many of us, the Haunted Attraction Association News is

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back in your ears. The trans World's a Halloween an

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Attraction Show. Welcome tens of thousands of haunt owners, operators,

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and industry professionals for the world's largest Halloween trade show.

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This year's show saw over five hundred vendors, of them

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were brand new for twenty twenty five education, networking events,

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and daily evening events. Trans World is our industry's largest

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professional show, and we're dedicating half this newscast this week

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to recapping what happened there. Transworld's Halloween and Attraction Show

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will return to Saint Louis March twenty six through twenty

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ninth of twenty twenty six. Held annually at trans World's

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Halloween An Attraction Show, the State of the Industry Seminar

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brings together HAA Board members, Hunt owners, operators, and vendors

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for a candid look at the past season and the

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challenges add Moderated by newly seated President Jim Werner from

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Penhurst Asylum and outgoing President Spencer Terry from Fear Factory,

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this year's discussion focused heavily on the insurance crisis, the

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future of chaos, safety training, and expanding resources including AI

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to help members. The twenty twenty five State of the

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Industry presentation was held February twenty eighth, twenty twenty five,

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at ten am in Room two thirty one. We have

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some highlights, but you can listen to the full presentation

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and read our expanded notes by following the links in

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our show notes. At the Award Winning Hunt Program, Jim

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Werner and the AHAA Board introduced an updated recognition system,

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now called the Award Winning Haunts Program. This initiative replaces

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the former Top Haunts with three distinct tiers, Platinum, Gold,

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and Silver, each marking a different stage in a Haunt's

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growth and performance. Platinum Iconic Haunted Attractions must be an

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active HAA member for ten or more years of operation

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and typically achieves ten thousand or more in annual attendance.

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Gold are top Haunted attractions must be an active HAA

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member and have more than five years of operation and

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usually draw between five to ten thousand attendees per year.

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Silver New Haunted Attractions must be an active HAA member,

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have at least two years of operation and attendance of

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roughly three thousand or more annually. The Chaos Safety Program,

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which is the Certified Haunted Attraction Operator Safety THEHAA doubled

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Chaos training hours offered at Transworld while rolling out online

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modules that allow owners and staff to earn or renew

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certifications from anywhere. Recertify online. You can recertify every three

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years and it can be done entirely online. There's online

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modules with up to two hours of your primary certification

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can be completed this way the twenty twenty five Regional certification.

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Starting this year, our regional certification will be offered with

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a legendary Haunt tour in Salt Lake City. Future regional workshops.

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The board is designing regional workshops to make it easier

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for members who cannot bring the full team to Transworld,

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and a future hay ride safety course. A two hour

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hay ride safety certification is in development to address a

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spike in hay ride related incidents. Over the past year,

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several Haunted attractions have lost their insurance coverage through no fault,

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prompting the Haunted Attraction Association to investigate. President Jim Werner

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described the situation as a real insurance crisis for the industry,

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explaining that people see our industry as a quick payout,

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but safety minded Haunt is statistically safer than going to

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a grocery store. We just look like an easy target,

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while the terrifying themes of Haunt entertainment make it seem

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high risk. Professionals know how rigorously these attractions adhere to

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safety standards. The HAA is exploring a sponsored member insurance

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program to counteract these unfair perceptions and help Haunt secure

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stable coverage. If successful, members meeting defined criteria could access

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more consistent, long term policies tailored to Haunt operations. Though

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still in its early stages, the association welcomes community feedback

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to refine this crucial initiative at the Haunted Attraction Association's

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twenty twenty five Annual meeting, held on February twenty eight,

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twenty twenty five, during trans World. The meeting was open

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to all Association members. The Haunted Attraction Association has some

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Board of Director transitions. Outgoing board members include Spencer Terry,

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the outgoing President, Alan Hopps, Alan Rodriguez, and Brett Wilson,

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who resigned earlier. Newly elected board members include Dale Little

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from Aura Haunted House in Peoria, Illinois, Anthony Barbosa Nightmare

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Acres in South Windsor, Connecticut, Lee Jordan fear on the

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Farm in Winfield, West Virginia, and Todd Patton dread Hollow Chattanooga, Tennessee.

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Officers for twenty twenty five include President Jim Warner, Vice

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President Kevin Donovan, Treasurer Terry Bernstein, and Secretary Krista brower Wood.

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The HAA is one hundred and fifty thousand dollars reserve,

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protects against potential industry crisis and gives the association capital

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to invest in the new initiatives mentioned during the State

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of the Industry presentation. The Association continues to grow top

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line revenue while adjusting investment to align with its goals.

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The AHAA reported eighty point nine thousand dollars in revenue

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in twenty twenty two and ninety one point nine and

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twenty twenty three, and approximately fourteen percent increase. Total expenses

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increased from twenty twenty two to twenty twenty three from

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forty point two pod one thousand to fifty four point

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one thousand, and the HAA prioritized trade show investments, marketing

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and scholarships. Trade show expenses compromised forty six point eight

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percent of total expenses in twenty twenty two and sixty

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point four percent in twenty twenty three. This aligns with

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statements that in person gatherings, for example, Transworld remains central

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to the association's membership engagement. Transworld remains the primary show

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where members gather, and the Association provides multiple events during

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the show, including the OSCARES State of the Industry, Chaos

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training seminars, and New Networking Lounge. In conclusion, the Haunted

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Attraction Association emerged from the twenty twenty five annual meeting

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with stronger cash reserves and new leadership, rising revenues and

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well managed expenses will enable expansions in training, event programming,

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and more, ensuring haunters across the globe benefit from the

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haa's progress. Widely considered the highest honors in the Halloween

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and Haunted attraction world, the OSCARES Awards recognized excellence across

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multiple categories. Nominees and winners are selected by the Haunted

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Attraction Association's Board of Directors and peers, focusing on innovation, creativity, efficiency,

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product development, and impactful contributions to the industry. This year,

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enders and attractions were split into new Established and Legacy categories.

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Except for Cyclone Signs. Each honoree attended in person and

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gave a short acceptance speech on stage. Anyone, whether a

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member or not, can attend the OSCARS for free, and

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the Association caters the event. We at the Haunted Attraction Network,

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we're proud to help produce the event. Earn more about

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the honorees on our website. By the way, nominations for

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twenty twenty six are now open. A summary of the

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winners includes the Vendor Excellence Awards, which is under five

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years going to sith On, Established going to Cyclone Signs,

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and twenty plus years going to Distortions. Unlimited. The Home

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Haunter Award goes to Rotten Apple nine oh seven in Burbank, California.

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The Board of Directors Awards go to the first year

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Haunt Era's Nightmare in west Minster, Maryland, An Established Haunt

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Dramatica and Europa Park in Rust, Germany, and Legacy Haunt

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from Field of Dreams Montana in Victor, Montana. Special Recognition

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Award goes to TJ. Mannerino from Universal Orlando Resort A

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VP of Art and Design. A Spirit of Leadership Award

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going to Spencer Terry, the outgoing HAA President and the

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general manager of Fear Factory Haunted House. A Lifetime Achievement

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Award goes to Timothy Gavinski, owner of the Wisconsin Fairground,

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and the scholarship awards. The James K. Memorial Scholarship went

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to Abigail Birdsal, the Joe Thaylor Scholarship went to Harrison Gamble,

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and the Bloody Mary Makeup Scholarship went to Tanya Richter Barrera.

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One of the new products that come out this year

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it was taking everybody's attention, was Distortion unlimiteds the Xeno

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vor debut at Transworld Halloween, an attraction show this year.

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This seven foot tall Xenovoras, swift and deadly with six arms,

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spraying venom and sharp chrome teeth. Is Zenovoar, an extraterrestrial

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mutant or a io engineering experiment gone wrong. Its origin

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is shrouded in mystery. Whatever the story, be assured that

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Xenovore strikes fear in all that encounters. Is on sale

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now for hundred and seventy dollars over at the Composite

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Effects CFX Masks booth, they debuted their final piece and

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their Zodiac line of masks, the Sagittarius, featuring three D

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printed antlers. This macab dearhead mask comes in a standard

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and decayed version. Explore more products at cfx's official website.

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Immortal Mask has their new Viral video mask. This innovative

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mask includes a working tablet on its face. Hunters can

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upload custom videos in its SD card and then play

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the loop videos on the led screen. The tablet can

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be programmed via Wi Fi or by using its touch screen.

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Learn more about their products at Immortal masks official website.

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Froggy Fog celebrated their twentieth anniversary with an array of

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fog A's snow scents and more. Meatured new product was

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the Hyperion TJ ten turbojet upshot. The machine gives a

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CO two effect using just water based fog fluid. It

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can swivel three hundred and sixty degrees for easy mounting

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and include two zones of LED lights for a variety

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of lighting effects. See more of froggies, fogs, machines, fluids

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and scents on their official website. Rib FX showcased its

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new props, including various realistic Tricker Treater, children's bodies, Candy,

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Kid Devil, Candy Kid Clown, and Bullied Bobby are all

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priced at eight hundred and ninety nine dollars on ribfx's

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official website. Toxic FX, known for its realistic jack O

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lantern props, has debuted its Giant Pumpkin collection with Goliath,

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Jolly Giant, and Havoc designs. See all of their pumpkins, props,

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masks and more on their official website. Beast Craft debuted

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their new Hillary Attack pneumatic prop mounted on a scissor mechanism,

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The Google lunges a guess for a scary surprise attack.

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The prop is currently listed for three thy one and

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twenty six six dollars on Beastcraft's official website need a hand.

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Freight Perops debuted the new monstrous living limbs, from a

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flopping tentacle to a hairy beast arm to a clown arm.

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There are a variety of available styles to fit your

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Haunts theme. Each arm violently sways when activated. See the

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entire collection on Freight Prop's official website. The Halloween Buyers

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Board highlighted three outstanding vendors in the twenty twenty five

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Exhibitor Awards. The best booth went to thirteenth Floor Entertainment.

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You can see a full walkthrough by following the links

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in our show notes. The best new vendor was a

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Luma Bought, and the best new product was the Deluxe

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Pumpkin animatronic from the Scare Factory. Now onto other news.

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Midsummer Scream tickets are now on sale. Buy your tickets

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today for this year's Midsummer Scream in Long Beach, California.

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Midsummer Scream returns to the Long Beach Convention Center August

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fifteenth through seventeenth, twenty twenty five, bringing three days of immersia, haunts, panels,

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and special guests. The fan favorite Hall of Shadows will

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once again open all three days for the event and

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feature over a dozen Haunted attractions including Mister Floats, Santa

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Ana Haunt, The Haunt With No Name Yet, Rawl of

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the Dead, Fear Farm, Straight to Hail Productions, The Haunted Harvest,

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and Decayed Brigade, all included with general admission. The show

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floor will showcase three hundred and fifty vendors and industry

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panels will feature Halloween Horror Night's thirteenth floor entertainment group,

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Castle Dark, and more. Other returning favorites include Paranormal Pixies,

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Pumpkin Patch, Children's Zone, the Black Cat Lounge, Kitten Adoption Center,

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and the Screaming Room Film Festival presented by Horror Buzz.

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General admission and VIP gold Bat passes are on sale

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now on the event's official website. Attendee registration is now

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open for the East Coast Haunters Convention, taking place April

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twenty sixth and twenty seventh at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center.

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This regional event will future premiere Haunted house tours, networking events,

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evening parties, and a lively exhibit floor. The event is

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open to the public. Early bird tickets start at forty

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to fifty dollars for single day show floor admission and

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sixty five dollars for a weekend show floor access. Prices

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will increase after eleven to fifty nine PMCST on April

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twenty first. Seminar information and pricing will be announced in

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the coming weeks. Prior to the main event. There will

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be two pre con Haunt tours. On Thursday, April twenty fourth,

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visit three terrifying haunted attractions, Brighten Asylum, the Bleeding Grounds

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and Subculture. Early bird tickets are two hundred and forty

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five for bus access and two oh five if you

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drive yourself. On Friday, April twenty fifth, we visit Hershey Park,

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Dark Knights and Field of Screams. Early bird tickets are

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two fifteen for bus access and one seventy five if

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you drive yourself. Prices for both tours will increase after

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April tenth. Attendee registration is now open for the Texas

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Haunters Convention in Irving, Texas, taking place July twenty sixth

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and twenty seventh at its new location in the Irving

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Convention Center. The Texas Haunters Convention features over ninety thousand

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square feet of family friendly vendors, events, demonstrations, and class

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targeting Halloween and cosplay enthusiasts. Tickets start at ten to

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twenty dollars for single day pass admissions, twenty five for

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weekend at all passes, and one point fifteen for VIP passes.

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This year, the event is partnering with be on FX,

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a nonprofit that designs, builds, and runs scare houses for charity.

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One dollar of every admission ticket sold will be donated

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to their cause. Six Flags is reporting a two hundred

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and six million dollars net loss for twenty twenty four,

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raising concerns after its merger with Cedar Fair was expected

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to bring cost saving. However, as Philippin Scott breakdown in

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the latest episode of Green Tagged, the loss is more

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about merger related expenses, higher operating costs, and debt payment

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rather than a sign of weak park performance. Attendance was

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up three percent and Halloween events played a significant role

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in driving the cure four revenue, with six Flags calling

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October a standout month. However, with a company betting big

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on seasonal events, cost cutting and attendance growth, everything has

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to go right for its twenty twenty five plan to

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work is it a realistic strategy or just the best

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case scenario. We unpact the numbers and what it means

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for the industry. In the latest episode of the Green

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Tag podcast, United Parks earning shows trouble ahead. Can they

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compete with Epic Universe. United Park's latest earnings report shows

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flat revenue, declining net income, and no clear strategy to

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counter Universal's Epic Universe. While the company blames hurricanes for

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lost attendance, whether disruptions will likely continue, and analysts question

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whether their better value pitch is enough to stay competitive.

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With no major new attractions announced and vague hints at

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IP partnerships, is United Parks prepared for twenty twenty five.

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In the latest episode of the Green Tag podcast, they

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break down the numbers, industry reactions, and what it all

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means for the future. Field of Screams Montana is honored

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with a Legacy Haunt Award. What started as a simple

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corn maze in two thousand is grown into Field of

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Screams Montana, a twenty six year Halloween tradition that has

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earned the Haunted Attraction Association's a Legacy Haunt Award. Located

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in Victor, Montana, the Haunt has evolved from a small

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makeshift attraction to a regional Helloween staple, drawing visitors from

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across Montana, Idaho, and Washington. By offering a mix of

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intense scares, family friendly daytime attractions, and a unique zombie

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Free Monday for those who prefer atmosphere over startles, the

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Kirkland family has created an experience that entertains all ages.

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Treasure Hunt expands Haunted Harbor for twenty twenty five Halloween season.

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Following the success of its first Halloween overlay Haunted Harbor,

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Treasure Hunt in Canary Row, California, is expanding its seasonal

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event in twenty twenty five. The inaugural version bundled Treasure Haunt,

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the Ride, Carnival of Carnage, Man's Aim, and Peer of

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Fear into a single unlimited access ticket, drawing guests from

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up to three hundred miles away. Due to overwhelming demand,

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plans are now in motion to extend the Haunted Harbor

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into a six week event, beginning with weekend evenings and

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growing from there. Neighboring businesses have also expressed interest in participating,

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further solidifying the event's impact on the local economy. Zombie

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Joe's Underground Theater Group from North Hollywood, California, will bring

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urban legends to life with modern myths Awakened and all

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new horror experience running for four nights only March twenty third,

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April sixth, April twelfth, and April thirteenth of twenty twenty five.

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Written and directed by Charlotte Cocker, this forty five minutes

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sit down horror event reimagines infamous tales like La Eurona,

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A Babysitter and The Man Upstairs and Slender Man with

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terrifying new twists. The show is for ages eighteen and

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over only due to graphic content, nudity, and extreme scared.

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Performances are at eight pm and ten pm at the

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Zju Theater Group in North Hollywood. Tickets are on sale

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now for twenty online or twenty five dollars at the door.

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Tales of the Ancient East brings a horror music spectacle

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to Hollywood Fringe in twenty twenty five. Tales of the

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Ancient East, a theatrical ritual blending horror, mythology and music,

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will debut at the Hudson's Theater Guild in Los Angeles

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as part of the twenty twenty five Hollywood Fringe Festival.

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Created by Antony Zioni, this summersive experience takes audiences through

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chilling tales of biblical plagues, mythological beasts, and apocalyptic vision.

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Featuring a resurrected storyteller and an ancient demon unleased by

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the parchment of death, The show promises an electrifying fusion

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of dark folklore and theatrical spectacle. Performances will be held

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Thursdays in June, so that's the fifth, twelfth, nineteenth, and

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twenty sixth of June at eight thirty pm. Slasher's Acts

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Throwing in Ales from Costa Mesa, California, is celebrating Purge

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Night with its first annual ax throwing tournament on March

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twenty first. This high stakes event will feature prizes, surprises,

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and intense competition with Purge inspired costumes and masks encouraged.

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Practice begins at six thirty pm, with a tournament kicking

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off at seven. Participants will receive exclusive ie purged buttons,

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and top scorers can win free tickets, merchandise, and more.

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Tickets are on sale now for sixty dollars per person.

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Some upcoming events and conventions coming up this March through

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May of twenty twenty five, include the Spooky Swap Meet

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in Los Angeles, California, April twenty fifth through twenty seven,

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the East Coast Hunters Convention in Oaks, Pennsylvania April twenty

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sixth and twenty seventh, and Monster Palooza and Pasadena, California,

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from May thirtieth to June first.

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And that's all for the News this Week.

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Today's episode was produced by me Philip Hernandez, with reporting

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by Darryl Plunky post production by David Swope. This hot

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News Update is a production of the Haunted Attraction Network

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and you can sign up to our weekly newsletter at

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Hantattractionnetwork dot com. Support for this episode comes from Gantum

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Lighting and Controls. Until next time, Haunters, Stay Scary.

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This is a Haunted Attraction Network production.

NEWS: Convention Season & Transworld RECAP

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