The folks at Midsummer Scream are back with their flagship event: Midsummer Scream! On our first night at the event, we attended an amazing, albeit unofficial “preview night” like you’d find at the San Diego Comic-Con. The crowds were low, the weather was nice and cool, and you could roam the aisles with ease to purchase wares and visit with friends. It was such an outstanding time and we bought way too much stuff!
The next day, the convention proper began and the turnout was incredible! The general admission line went across the pedestrian bridge in front of the hotel and, had it not been wrapped back around against itself, would have ended up in the Pacific. The VIP line was also full but that line moved much more quickly. I highly recommend their VIP tickets if you plan to attend more than one day. The perks of earlier entry into panels as well as the event itself (you get in an hour ahead) is well worth the extra ticket price.
The Hall of Shadows made is triumphant return as well, featuring a number of local haunts presenting mini-haunt versions of themselves for attendees to experience. The Decayed Brigade slider crew was back as well with an impressive showing of their sliding skill. The amount of bodies an experienced haunt slider can jump over always impresses me. The one thing that is a bummer is that, during the Decayed Brigade shows, a lot of the mini-haunts in the Hall of Shadows go dark as the music and noise from the show is overpowering. Part of me would like to see the Decayed Brigade moved out of that room somewhere else just for their show so the Hall of Shadows can keep cycling attendees through the attractions. But, I digress…
The Long Beach Convention Center has a huge convention floor and Midsummer Scream seemed to make use of every square foot. So many vendors featured effects, props, artwork, sculptures, and other macabre wares that my wallet was substantially lighter when I left than when I entered the floor. We even got to put our cell phone on the worlds smallest horror rollercoaster.
Outside the convention center, there were several food trucks lined up, each with a culinary flare all their own. Also, if you stayed at the Hyatt Regency next door, you could eat at their fantastic eatery in the lobby. Also, staying at the hotel is super convenient as it is basically attached to the convention center, making your parking experience way easier.
Overall, it was an amazing return for Midsummer Scream and I look forward to next year’s! So – stay tuned for more!
