HAuNTcon 08 Update!
The 5th Annual Haunted Attraction National Tradeshow and Convention moves to Houston, Texas in 2008. Find out the latest details on the convention “Designed for Haunters, by Haunters!”
HAuNTcon 08 Update!
The 5th Annual Haunted Attraction National Tradeshow and Convention, (better known as HAuNTcon) moves this year to the Houston Crown Plaza Hotel, April 24-28, 2008, with a pre-show Haunt Tour “road trip” April 22- 24. Designed by Haunters, for Haunters, HAuNTcon is a convention and expo that packs every waking moment (maximum 24 hours per day) with everything a Haunter could possibly want or need to make the next Halloween season the best it can be!
Open to all Haunters at every age and level of experience. The 2008 extravaganza will be sponsored by FREEK Energy Drink, Wristband Resource and Haunted Attraction Magazine. HAuNTcon brings together people who love Haunted Houses and Halloween for a fun filled four days and nights of Haunter Education, Tours of Local Haunted Houses, jam packed Tradeshow Floor, Hearse Rally, Haunted Garage Sale and an incredible Costume Ball!
“Haunters are the best people on earth,” explains Leonard Pickel, editor of Haunted Attraction Magazine, who created HAuNTcon to be an opportunity for Haunters to network, share tips and stories, get fresh ideas, learn new ways to do what they do and check out the latest in Haunting props. “I have often said that Haunters are all siblings separated at birth, and HAuNTcon is just our massive family reunion!”
Haunt Tours
HAuNTcon 2008 opens one day earlier than in previous years, with a two night pre show trip to tour Haunted Attractions in Louisiana. The first stop is The 13th Gate Haunted House on Tuesday April 22 in Baton Rouge. Owned and operated by Dwayne Sanburn, The 13th Gate is one of the most detailed Haunts you will ever see. “I have been to some of the best detailed Haunts in the country,” explains Leonard. “Rocky Point, Netherworld, Verdun Manor, but The 13th Gate is an over the top experience.” The queue line space is themed as a barrel-vaulted underground maintenance area. There is even an old work bench with antique tools, placed as if someone had just set them down. “The attraction has Disney level detail and set design,” describes Leonard. “With a built-in effect designed to scare the 100 unsuspecting souls waiting in line for the Haunt to start!” Bring your cameras, for the Lights-on tour that will take place on Wednesday morning.
Next on the tour is a trip to Myrtles Plantation, know as one of the most Haunted places in the US. If you have ever thought of using a plantation theme for your Haunt, this is a great way to see the real thing, up close. Visitors will tour the plantation and house. We will attempt to conjure up real spirits before heading to New Orleans, one of the most Haunted cities in the United States.
Now in its third year of operation, Chamber of Horrors is the next Haunt on the tour. Creative scares and great detail will be the highlight of this backstage tour. Our hosts, Gaston Dupuy and Eddie Dupuy will be on hand to answer questions and show attends around the attraction.
The most radical Haunt on the pre-show tour will be The House of Shock. Closed after hurricane Katrina, this in your face experience has been rebuilt in a new location that allowed a total redesign for the infamous attraction. “When I began Haunting, I turned away from all things Satanic.” recalls Leonard. “Still I was accused of ‘doing the devil’s work,’ just because I owned a Haunted House.” The House Of Shock, takes an opposite approach and embraces the “dark side” of Haunting. “I think Ross Karpleman and Steve Joseph, took this public attitude as a challenge, and themed their Haunt as a fight between good and evil, where good wasn’t always so good and evil always won!” “One great thing about the new House of Shock is that the theme of the attraction is New Orleans,” relates Leonard. “The Haunt starts out in an above ground cemetery, winds through the French Quarter, and even visits the sewers of this home of Voodoo.” The pre-show stage show, which stars Ross, is a pyrotechnic extravaganza... Bring your sun screen!
After what will most likely be a late night on Bourbon Street, the next morning’s adventure will be optional, but worth getting up for. Within walking distance from the hotel are Haunted sites and cemeteries, one of which has the remains of the Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau!
The last Haunt included in the pre-show tour will be The Mortuary. As seen in the Discovery channel special, this year-round Paranormal Research Center, built in a haunted funeral parlor, in the middle of a cemetery, has a Haunted Attraction in the basement. Our host Jeff Borne will be on hand for the tour and let us in on the exciting plans he has for this unbelievable building!
But we are not done Haunting yet! Once back in Houston, attendees can choose to attend the Thursday night Haunt tour of Nightmare on the Bayou. Our host, Bob Wright, will be cooking up a Texas style “Choke and Puke,” for attendees. This dinner and social will include a lights off tour of this large Haunted Attraction in North Houston filled with great actors, great scares and 3D section.
After a full day of HAuNTcon Education and Tradeshow, The Friday Night Haunt Tour will be of Phobia 290. (See Cover Story, this issue!) Three of the five attractions at this multi-element, hard core, animated haunt will feature full actor tours and one additional Haunt will be available for lights on tours and photos.
For those staying over for the new Monday workshops, HAuNTcon will be offering a Bonus Sunday Night Tour and social at the National Museum of Funeral History. This is a great opportunity to discuss the convention, unwind with Haunter friends over a bite to eat and check out the antique hearses, antique coffins and antique embalming equipment in this beautiful museum. Exhibits include a 1900’s casket factory, Civil War embalming and a replica of President Lincoln’s funeral train.
Convention and Exposition
The HAuNTcon Education starts early on Friday April 25 at the Houston Crown Plaza Hotel. The Haunt Ed sessions are divided into four threads; Haunting Business, Creative, Demonstration, and Make-N-Take! Last year was the first time Make-N-Take workshops were offered at HAuNTcon and they were a huge success, selling out early. This year there will be more sessions and the ability to sign up on the web site so we can repeat the popular sessions.
For the first time, HAuNTcon is expanding its already vast Haunter Education with full day paid workshops on Monday April 28. Several companies are offering all day, in-depth hands on sessions including, Bad Boys Scenic Design, Wolf Brothers FX and Face Paint, Smooth-on mold making and Leonard Pickel’s D.O.A. Haunt Design Firm. Sign up for these workshops and the Make-N-Takes at www.hauntcon.com now, because they will sell out!
HAuNTcon attendees will be treated to a huge Tradeshow floor, Friday April 25 through Sunday April 27, filled with exhibitors selling the latest in fright services and equipment for the professional Haunted House owner and the Halloween enthusiast alike. Everything a Haunter needs from horror makeup and highly detailed masks to static props and large animatronic creatures will be for sale, many at wholesale prices.
The Spirit of Halloween
Saturday night April 26, is the massive Costume Ball sponsored by Haunted Attraction Magazine. Show off your most creative costume at this rocking party and celebrate the joy of getting into character for fun rather than work. The ticket price includes music, dancing and cash bar.
Special events on Sunday April 27 include the Hearse and Parade Car Show as the hotel parking lot fills with the largest collection of creepy tricked out vehicles and funeral cars ever exhibited in Texas. Also on Sunday is the exit polling favorite Haunted Garage Sale. At this spooky flea market and swap meet attendees can get into the HAuNTcon selling frenzy by buying a table and bringing their own scary stuff - home made, used or new - to sell to other attendees.
Join Haunters from across the country and around the world at the 5th Annual Haunted Attraction National Tradeshow and Convention in Houston, Texas, and bring your key Haunting crew. With everything you need to make your next Halloween season the best it can be! Designed by Haunters, for Haunters, HAuNTcon is four days and four nights of Haunter Education, Tours of Local Haunted Houses, jam packed Tradeshow Floor, Hearse Show, Haunted Garage Sale and an incredible Costume Ball! It is the best money you can spend on your Haunted Event.
Discount attendee registration and exhibitor applications are available at www.hauntcon.com and discount HAuNTcon hotel rates are available at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Houston, Texas by phone at 713-748-3221. Go to www.hauntcon.com for more details on this exciting event!
