Let's cut straight to the chase today. If you love Halloween, you MUST go to Midsummer Scream at least once in your life.
Bookmark their website. Follow them on social media. Save your pennies, and make it happen. It was truly that amazing, and I'm so glad I flew halfway across the country to go. Easily the best decision I've made in 2018.
Today I'm taking you along for the ride.
Here's Midsummer Scream 2018 from my point of view:
Midsummer Scream 2018: Vendors
One of the things I was most excited about at Midsummer Scream was shopping with so many of the vendors and exhibitors I've been following on Instagram since I started my Halloween adventure here on the blog. There was SO much to see and not nearly enough time to browse every last booth the way I wanted to.
Here's a look at some of the booths I did stop by:
I dropped by the Bearded Lady and Mystic Museum the day before Midsummer Scream, but it was fun to see the rest of their collection at the event.
I bought a lot of goodies from Fiendies.
I didn't catch the vendor's name, but I loved these vintage Halloween coasters.
Abbybelle was an all-around favorite of all my spooky friends. I think all of us took home at least one of her gorgeous ornaments.
I was excited to grab an enamel pin from Monster Posse.
Chicken Lips was a crowd favorite too - this booth was cleared OUT when we walked by in the afternoon.
So many fun T-shirts from Local Boogeyman.
I was also excited to finally buy a print from Drew Rausch.
Keep an eye on the blog - later this week, I'll be sharing the goodies I picked up.
Midsummer Scream 2018: Hall of Shadows
You guys would be SO proud of me - I went through TWO haunts in the Hall of Shadows...and may have even asked to do a third.
This section included a series of mini haunts, as well as additional vendors, some cool costumes on display from the WB backlot and more vendors.
Six Flags had a cool blacklight set-up that was a ton of fun to walk through.
My new living room.
Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetl-
These pumpkins by VIP Carvings were even more amazing in person.
Pretty sure this is what the inside of my head looks like.
One of the two haunts I went in. Murder House Productions did a beautiful job!
Midsummer Scream 2018: Panels
I didn't take photos at everything we attended, but we enjoyed the Q&A with Elvira, the true crime and passions film screenings, learning about spirit boards with The Mystic Museum, the LGBT+ in Horror panel (I'm still thinking about some of the things I heard in this panel.) and, of course, the Hocus Pocus panel.
If you've read this post, it won't shock you to know...I've never seen an Elvira movie. After this Q&A, I'm absolutely changing that.
If there were any doubts that the "Hocus Pocus" panel was going to be awesome, they were erased when the Sanderson Sisters came out and sang "I Put a Spell on You" to kick things off. Such a Hollywood move, but it was so much fun.
I was so enthralled with the stories during the "Hocus Pocus" panel that I didn't take any notes, but my friend Mike did and has a great recap of all the insider stories we learned.
Also, after this...I don't think a movie version of the "Hocus Pocus" sequel book(affiliate link) that came out this summer is out of the realm of possibility in the coming years. My two cents: buy the heck out of the book and the 25th-anniversary editions of the movie this fall.
Midsummer Scream 2018: Everything Else
Just people watching at Midsummer Scream is a ton of fun. There is SO much to see and do, you'll never be bored. Here are a few sights from the weekend.
Slashback Video was one of the things I was excited to check out, and it definitely didn't disappoint.
There were several booths doing special effects makeup. It was fun to continually pass these throughout the day and see the progress.
How do I make this my car?
In case you can't tell, I'm totally fangirling here over the fact that I finally met Nancy Nightmare and The Wizard. (They were the BEST!)
We even managed to find the Sanderson Sisters! The best part? They were actually sisters and Sarah's real name was Sarah.
I am the fourth Sanderson Sister now!
I've said it a few times, but I'll say it again - Matt was THE best partner in crime all weekend long, and I cannot thank him enough for letting this crazy girl talk him into flying across the country to experience Midsummer Scream for the first time. Halloween friends are the best friends!
On Sunday night after Midsummer Scream was over, Matt and I decompressed over Mexican food and he asked me my favorite and least favorite things, as well as what I learned. I liked these questions so much, I thought I'd add it here.
Favorite Thing
Everything was my favorite thing, but I think spending time in a space totally devoted to Halloween was my favorite. Working on Spooky Little Halloween is something I do by myself 95% of the time. It was very cool to feel like this world I live in by myself or online was suddenly alive and real and all around me.
Least Favorite Thing
That the weekendflew by! I easily could have used a third day to circle back to everything I didn't get to see or wanted to see more of during the weekend and the friends I didn't get a chance to say hello to because our paths never crossed. (Venus! 😢)
What I Learned
I'm not sure if I learned it, but this opinion was definitely solidified at Midsummer Scream: the Halloween and horror community is one of the kindest groups of people ever. Everyone is so kind and accepting of everyone else, there's no judgment and we are all just infinitely cool to each other. I value that A LOT, and it was cool to experience in person.
Did you go to Midsummer Scream this year?
I'd love to hear about your favorite part of the experience. Share it in the comments.
And be sure to drop by The Spooky Vegan's blog for her reviews of day 1 and day 2 as well as All Hallows Geek for all of his coverage.
Now then...I've got to go start saving my pennies for next year - see you then, Long Beach.
Halloween ConventionMidsummer Scream
Miranda Enzorhttps://www.spookylittlehalloween.com
