OCTOBER 2, 2015 FRIDAY 4 AM - NOW YOU SEE HIM, NOW YOU DON'T

Just remembering how much fun... the operator of THE BONE YARD in STOCKBRIDGE is also A KEY ACTOR IN THE HAUNT ITSELF and sometimes we don't even know he just spoofed us!

And last year HE TOTALLY FLOORED US with his new character who has carved the word "MOM" onto his own forehead with a rusty knife! (See Reviews 2014_C)

So with haunts we're always imagining what might lead to where...and what that could feel like...

Then got to thinking...hmmm...Rob Zombie himself is actually putting on a MEGAHAUNT IN CHICAGO this year again with the guy from Terrortown that's closed now (BOO-HOO!!!)...but again the only constant is change...so now I have to wonder if...

ROB ZOMBIE WILL DO A SURPRISE CAMEO AT THE GREAT AMERICAN NIGHTMARE HAUNT?

And THE ROB ZOMBIE CONCERT IS TONIGHT, so he's sure to be in the area anyways right?

Or might he appear disguised as a lost monster in the haunt for example, or hidden off some crazy way for only the very observant to find???

Hey, remember the time we told you ahead of time that ICP was about to infiltrate PHOBIA HOUSE in KAZOO? It got crazy...I think we're still banned there...

A NEW ZOMBIE PERSONA LURKING?

Well anyways...now we're predicting that ROB ZOMBIE will find a way to play some wild pranks on the unsuspecting public this year at the GREAT AMERICAN NIGHTMARE in CHICAGO! www.GreatAmericanNightmare.com

SEPTEMBER 30, 2015 WEDNESDAY 10 PM - WHAT'S PERU GOT TO DO WITH IT?

Ask anybody who knows the area: What's the biggest landmark in Farmington?

It's that GIANT SMOKESTACK of course, except now there's no smoke.

This is where the historic Farmington Winery was, and you may remember it also being the location of a cool haunt that suddenly did the Jimmy Hoffa Thing disappearing without a trace...

OLD IS NEW AGAIN / BIRDS OF A DIFFERENT FEATHER

We just talked to the operator of the newly listed HAUNTED JUNCTION in FARMINGTON and guess what? YUP! It's at that same historic building we loved so much, but with A NEW HAUNTED ATTRACTION and something else we never could have imagined...FRESH IN FROM PERU!

Get this - there's a RARE BIRD called the CHIMNEY SWIFT that prefers to STAY WAY HIGH IN THE SKY during stops along the way in migration toÂPeru...

Like on a de-commissioned smokestack for example, and sure enough they set up shop atop THE HAUNTED JUNCTION right there on Grand River in Farmington! Live videos here -www.SwiftSanctuary.org And the haunt website is www.HauntedJunction.com

SEPTEMBER 29, 2015 TUESDAY 10 PM - MORE THAN A FEELING

Anybody remember NAUTICAL NIGHTMARE?

It was a haunt constructed aboard an old BOB-LO ISLAND BOAT. The crews' quarters were left just as they were ages ago, and the resulting sensations and emotions simply could not be duplicated or simulated by any prop.

NAUTICAL NIGHTMARE is long gone - BUT there's another haunt that also has AUTHENTIC ANTIQUES being used as props...and there's been some serious weirdness.

As you probably know, we're talking about THE REALM OF DARKNESS in PONTIAC which is having their MS AWARENESS SCREAM FOR THE CURE ALL NIGHT BLOWOUT this coming SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2015.

Besides the haunt itself, there are all kinds of wild interactive stuff and a fabulous food spread too. www.TheRealmOfDarkness.com

Back to the story, and this is all true not kidding at all here...one of antiques at REALM that gave the paranormal investigators the HEEBIE JEEBIES BIG TIME was a large wooden chest containing stacks of hand written letters.

The chest was originally locked shut, but the haunt operator picked the lock...

These letters had US stamps on them, but many stamps were uncancelled with the envelopes still sealed.

I really shouldn't be telling you this part...

Being the curious sort, the haunt operator had opened the chest to see what she could find. Many letters were from men in wartime military writing home, some of them certainly for the very last time.

And when the paranormal researchers arrived... they GOT A COLD CHILL from this chest of letters, full of memories and dreams lost in limbo land...and yelled "CLOSE THAT CHEST AND LEAVE IT ALONE."

She quickly complied, as she was seeking counsel...

But it was already too late.

Actors had been freaking out after hair raising encounters with certain props...many while in storage rooms like a TELEPHONE BOOTH THAT RANG with no wires connected to it...and then stuff started happening IN THE DISPLAY TO PATRONS TOO... some may have thought it was part of the show.

But it wasn't.

PANDORA'S BOX(or chest in this case) had already been opened and spilled...I think you have to sign a waiver against psychological damage and such...remember this is ALL NIGHT IN A HAUNTED HOUSE!

But if you're adventurous enough, you can explore and investigate for yourself this Saturday Oct. 3rd 2015! www.TheRealmOfDarkness.com

SEPTEMBER 28, 2015 MONDAY 9 PM - A NIGHT LIKE NO OTHER IN A REAL SPOOK HOUSE

Did you hear? There's a REAL haunted house in town.

We're not kidding.

It's actually haunted - authentically documented several times.

AND IT'S A KILLER HAUNT TO BOOT.

What if I said you could spend the night there?

(stay tuned)

SEPTEMBER 28, 2015 MONDAY 7 PM - CALLING ALL JUGALOS!

We know many of you DIEHARD ICP FANS will be making the PILGRIMAGE TO CHICAGO NEXT SATURDAY, and we have a very special tip for you that is sure to MAXIMIZE THE CRAZINESS!

We mentioned this before...but for the newbie's out there:

THE FLYING FAYGO FUELED FRENZY DELUXE

Before leaving Detroit, grab some DIET FAYGO COLA in 2 liter plastic bottles AND some MENTOS brand breath mints. Get some non-diet FAYGO as well to drink, as you will NOT be drinking the diet soda...but it has special properties as you'll see in A FABULOUS WAY!

At the show, try to get up front so everybody can see this - open a 2 liter DIET FAYGO bottle, take one swig then carefully drop a MENTOS brand mint into the bottle.

The resulting chemical reaction turns the bottle into A SHOOTING FOUNTAIN OF FAYGO FOAM that is A SURE WINNER FOR THE ULTIMATE ICP FAYGO EXPERIENCE!

Wait a second...the ICP CONCERT is sandwiched between TWO ROB ZOMBIE CONCERTS...so it seems like Rob would be somewhere close by...and after all IT'S ZOMBIE'S HAUNT this is all happening at...

Hmmm...do you think it's possible there could be a surprise guest star at the ICP CONCERT?

Maybe they could get...oh, perhaps Hootie and the Blowfish.

Nah...Hootie might not be hip to ICP...hmmm... who else could they possibly get to be a surprise guest star for ICP AT ROB ZOMBIE'S HAUNT?

Shut my mouth, hope to die, stick a needle in my eye...

SEPTEMBER 27, 2015 SUNDAY 9 PM - A FASHIONISTA'S PLEA FOR MORE STYLISH HAUNTING ATTIRE

The girls need your help...

People love to dress up at weddings, especially the women who bring out their most stylish and feminine outfits.

DRESSED TO KILL, as they say...

Well, yesterday we went directly from a wedding to a haunt so we dressed differently than we usually would on a haunt journey. My partner had an awesome black and sparkly purple top with the classic V-neck cut.

It was indeed a dramatic departure from her usual appearance of wearing a haunted attraction T-shirt from her massive collection of them. The shirts are great, but they're all non-gender specific with the boxy high-neck collars.

THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

So we started to brainstorm the ULTIMATE GIRL'S HAUNT T-SHIRT...

How about black with orange lace trim on the sleeves and most importantly a lower neck line and adjustable V-neck opening with an orange lace-up bodice?

The haunts' logo could be on front or back, or perhaps even both!

EXIT 13 already offers some COOL GIRL'S HAUNTED UNDIES and that's great!

But WHO will now step up to the plate and DELIVER A CUTE & SEXY GIRL'S HAUNTED ATTRACTION T-SHIRT?

SEPTEMBER 27, 2015 SUNDAY 4 PM - We're still reeling from last night!

Might actually take tonight off...what a bummer I'm anxious to see if KRAZY HILDA'S in YPSILANTI still has what had to be THE ULTIMATE MICHAEL MYERS character we saw last year!

We're also anxious to check out BOUGHAN'S HAUNTED HAYRIDE OF FRIGHT in BELLEVILLE, (opens next weekend) and that's a quick trip from YPSILANTI...could be a DOUBLE DOSE OF AWESOMENESS to hit HILDA'S and BOUGHAN'S on one night I'm thinking...

SEPTEMBER 26, 2015 SATURDAY 11:30 PM - THINK BIG OR GET OUT OF DODGE

What a great first night out we had at SLAUGHTERHOUSE in FOWLERVILLE!

DROPPED JAWS AND SCRATCHED HEADS

The new show scrambles your senses and emotions with a crazy blend of silly and ghastly story lines, and the magicians defy the laws of physics in full view of disbelieving eyes with their TOP-LEVEL MIND BENDING ILLUSIONS.

But first we went to a giant wedding at a beautiful country church in Howell, and then the reception at a MASSIVE POLE BARN in FOWLERVILLE on Grand River.

Wait a second, didn't SLAUGHTERHOUSE also start on Grand River in a barn?

They threw Halloween parties for the local kids in their barn that were wildly successful. These parties became the talk-of-the-town and for many the biggest event of the year.

The only thing that made any sense was for them to go public with the big fun, and SLAUGHTERHOUSE was born!

ALL MESSED UP / THE BRIGHT BLACK FUTURE

We've come to expect the unexpected from industry leaders, and tonight SLAUGHTERHOUSE gave us a glimpse into what could be a very messy future that would actually be very wonderful!

We can't give away too much right now, but here are a few tasty tidbits:

SLAUGHTERHOUSE has quietly acquired a major nearby property that already has the infrastructure to handle big crowds, including paved parking.

This site has already been used for crazy stuff, some of it involving MASS QUANTITIES OF MUD!

That's all we can say for now, but perhaps some of you will be able to "connect the dots" on your own...

SEPTEMBER 26, 2015 SATURDAY 1:42 PM - I can't believe what I can't tell you...we're sworn to secrecy from some big wigs that you would NOT believe...but we'll talk later...getting ready to BLASTOFF TONIGHT at...whoops, gotta sort my pocket lint first...

SEPTEMBER 26, 2015 SATURDAY 1 AM - OLD SCHOOL RETURNS TO DOWNRIVER IN A BIG WAY

Earlier we talked about the haunted history of small but mighty Melvindale. (See SEPTEMBER 19, 2015 SATURDAY 4 PM - RETURN OF THE MELVINDALE MONSTERS article below)

We wondered who's behind this brand new ABANDON HAUNTED HOUSE right there in magical Melvindale...and we just found out!

This is an amazing story actually, and it's the very stuff HAUNT MAGIC is made of!

Anybody out there remember the laser tag place in Macomb County that also ran the WILDLY SUCCESSFUL HAUNT WICKED?

It was old school with an edge...A WICKED EDGE that kept us coming back for more and more (see archives) until it finally closed up shop much as THE EXTREME SCREAM did.

But time and circumstances have a way of changing everything, and eventually led the CREATORS OF WICKED to team up with the WILDLY SUCCESSFUL PLAY ATLANTIS ARCADE in MELVINDALE!

Wait, it gets better...not only that, but another well known haunt design expert got on board too ensuring this will enthrall and dazzle the eyes of all who enter.

We're always anxious to check out new haunts, but the rich history of high quality haunting experience here makes it even more compelling! Click here for details - www.PlayAtlantis.co 

SEPTEMBER 25, 2015 FRIDAY 11 PM - SUPER MOON THIS SUNDAY

What a nice addition to the ambience for haunting!

There ARE some haunts open this Sunday - it could change but so far we've got our eye on KRAZY HILDA'S TRAIL OF TERRORS in YPSILANTI which has expanded this year at their new home of PANAMA FARMS which is massive. www.KrazyHildas.com

Could the owners of Panama Farms be the ones that eventually create a west side version of the HAUNT INDUSTRY GIANT BLAKE'S???

Time will tell, but this much we know for sure:

Everything starts as a thought and the bigger the idea the bigger the result!

And consider that once upon a time, BLAKE'S was largely undeveloped just like PANAMA FARMS.

In the WILD WORLD OF HAUNTED ATTRACTIONS, we've come to expect the unexpected as we realize that THE ONLY CONSTANT IS CHANGE!

SEPTEMBER 24, 2015 THURSDAY 7 PM - FORD ROAD & TELEGRAPH

Crusin' around on errands today - first I was on FORD ROAD in WESTLAND which also happens to be the location of HUSH, a VIBRANT NEW HAUNT to the Detroit scene now in their third year. And check this out - HORRORLUST gave them HAUNT OF THE YEAR in 2013!

Wow, they must be doing something right! ;)

And HUSH was one of only four haunts to have successful OFF SEASON EVENTS last year. We went - it was a Valentine's Day tie-in and was a total blast!

HUSH has their own DYNAMIC FUTURISTIC APPROACH to the complete haunt experience, and we're looking forward to this year's show! (see Reviews in 2013 and 2014)

Then, crusin' the main drag Telegraph...got to Wick Road in Taylor...looking for the sign about PAPP PARK HAYRIDE AND TERROR ZONE HAUNTED HOUSE...don't see it yet...if they're gone we'll be devastated...we missed them last year and it's always BEEN AN AMAZING HAYRIDE...I'll try to call them...

SEPTEMBER 24, 2015 THURSDAY 2:22 AM - GIVING CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE

Last year we gushed about the additional new actors at THE REALM OF DARKNESS in PONTIAC, and yes they bring a whole new dimension to this haunt that is known for ASTONISHING ATTENTION TO DETAIL...

BUT... I'm afraid we failed to also give proper accolades to the existing core team of actors at REALM whose costumes, mannerisms, and accents are second to none.

KUDOS TO THE ENTIRE REALM TEAM! (And NO, we were NOT prompted to write this!)

SEPTEMBER 24, 2015 THURSDAY 2 AM - THE MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR

We can't wait!

Our annual haunt tour begins this weekend, but we have a wedding to attend Saturday too. Hey no problem, the city the wedding is in ALSO has one of the most INCREDIBLE HAUNTS EVER, AN ABSOLUTE MUST SEE!

So which one is it?

Never mind that for right now...just get out there and SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL HAUNTED HOUSE.

We'll swap stories later, maybe around a bonfire sipping on some SUPER TASTY FRESH MICHIGAN CIDER at one of the fabulous farm and/or orchard haunts.

Close your eyes...imagine how that super-fresh goodness tastes and feels going down your throat...mmmmm happy tummy....or try dipping a hot donut in a jar of apple butter to send your taste buds to haunted heaven!

SEPTEMBER 20, 2015 SUNDAY 3 AM - So I'm talking to my partner earlier, and she's all like "WHEN ARE WE GOING TO GRAND RAPIDS?"

Hold your horses, and don't git 'yer panties all in a bunch just yet...'YA GOTTA WAIT UNTIL OCTOBER 9th whenÂTHE HAUNT OPENS FOR 2015.

Wait, that's October NINTH? WHY SO LATE???

1 Team. 60 Minutes. Countless Clues.

There's some wild new stuff happening at THE HAUNT involving a NEW INTERACTIVE DIMENSION that's sure to take off bigger than Beanie Babies and Pet Rocks COMBINED, so preparations are bound to be longer than usual...

ESCAPE MICHIGAN is new this year with mysteries to be solved and seems likes the perfect wild new addition to the Waldorf building, which is massive.

The operator of THE HAUNT is a very demanding (of himself) creative madman that refuses to compromise in any way artistically and ethically - and if that means NOT OPENING UNTIL HE'S SURE TO BE READY FOR THE SEASON, so be it. In fact, KUDOS to them for making sure every fan gets their money's worth consistently.

The logistics alone of what they're doing with the ESCAPE MICHIGAN addition could easily overwhelm any less of an expert as JB! haha

Oh yeah...and their Facebook page is a gas with almost 37,000 LIKES!! www.facebook.com/thehaunt 

SEPTEMBER 19, 2015 SATURDAY 10 PM - (pinched nose) "WHAT CITY, PLEASE?"

Anybody remember calling Directory Assistance by calling 4-1-1?

They always asked what city you wanted to check listings in. But if you were an out-of-towner you'd probably say DETROIT when it really was a suburb nearby.

And if you were a local that said "Clinton" you'd get a "NOT FOUND" report if what you wanted was actually in Clinton TOWNSHIP, as these two places are far away from each other. Confusing, eh?

I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW, BUT ONLY BECAUSE OF MY G.P.S.

But why bring this up now?

There's been some confusion about what's happening where in Illinois.

Earlier, we said that ROB ZOMBIE'S HAUNT IS IN CHICAGO - OK it's actually in the nearby suburb of VILLA PARK, ILLINOIS.

If you're at a concert at Pine Knob Music Theater (aka DTE Energy Music Theater) the rock star says "MAKE SOME NOISE, DETROIT!" right?

It would sound ridiculous for them to say "MAKE SOME NOISE, CLARKSTON!" or even more accurately "MAKE SOME NOISE, INDEPENDENCE TOWNSHIP!"

So, similarly, we may casually mention FLINT or CHICAGO in articles when it's really a lesser known nearby city - but the haunt listing's address will always specify the exact city.

Same as like, if someone in Wisconsin said for example "We're going to Detroit for Dark Legacy" when it's technically in Wixom which is in the so-called "Tri County Area of Detroit" consisting of Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties.

Personally though, we would extend that multi-county list to Washtenaw County as well with haunts such as KRAZY HILDA'S TRAIL OF TERRORS in YPSILANTI that are only a brief drive from Detroit.

Confused? Just do what we do, and put your trust in Tom-Tom...or Garmin.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2015 SATURDAY 6 PM - DOUBLE TROUBLE IN THE BIG CITY

BOTH MEGAHAUNTS IN PONTIAC ARE OPEN TONIGHT!

www.TheRealmOfDarkness.com www.HauntedPontiac.com

SEPTEMBER 19, 2015 SATURDAY 4 PM - RETURN OF THE MELVINDALE MONSTERS

Miniature Melvindale is about to roar again!

Many years ago, we experienced our very first circular spinning room in Melvindale at a short lived haunt on Oakwood Blvd. at the recreation building I think it was...they construction a GIANT LAZY SUSAN of sorts...the biggest we've seen to date! (Side note: the MOST INCREDIBLE SPINNING ROOM EVER was at the defunct HAUNTED THEATRE HOUSE on LIVERNOIS IN DETROIT - see review in Wayne Cty Cities A thru S)

Then we had the FABULOUS MELVINDALE DADS CLUB HAYRIDE on Outer Drive near Allen Road.

This was the first time we saw deep field holes dug that actors got in to make their heads pop out from the wrong spot, which is a FABULOUS ILLUSION reminiscent of some of the crazy stuff you will see at SLAUGHTERHOUSE in FOWLERVILLE by the way...just sayin'...trust me it'sTOTALLY OFF THE HOOK AT SLAUGHTERHOUSE...whoops, back to Melvindale...

Every year brings NEW HAUNTS and that means NEW BLOOD.

And we can't wait to taste the NEW BLOOD that has just set up HAUNT RESIDENCE IN SMALL BUT MIGHTY MELVINDALE!

It goes by the name ABANDON HAUNTED HOUSE and it's on Allen Road right off Outer Drive...real close to where that killer hayride was.

ABANDON HAUNTED HOUSE is open tonight! Go to 19400 Allen Road in Melvindale, at Play Atlantis which is in itself a super fun place! The haunt phone # is (734) 686-1884.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2015 SATURDAY 2 PM - NOW YOU SEE IT, NOW YOU DON'T / PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE!

Many have noticed that BURTON HAUNTED FOREST is not open this year and that may seem like bad news. But that's not the end of the story, and we're here to give you the "silver lining" you may not be aware of...

This is an all volunteer haunt, which has its advantages and disadvantages too.

With a small army of workers, they're able to totally transform themselves from show to show by devoting a major chunk of time and effort to make it happen.

But that can be too much to pull off every year to really do it right, and the operator of this haunt told us that as a result they often have a "year on - year off" schedule and that if they disappear one year to look for them the following year.

That said, SOME haunts actually DO pull off total transformations year after year even without the army of volunteers and that seems like superhuman stuff by any measure - BESTMAZE in WILLIAMSTON comes to mind at the moment but there's a few others too.

So, look for BURTON HAUNTED FOREST next year...and if they return as we expect (waiting for a return call) we will among the ANXIOUS FANS waiting to absorb yet another INCREDIBLE FOREST HAUNT EXPERIENCE!

SEPTEMBER 16, 2015 WEDENSDAY 11 PM - MAKIN' THE MONSTER MOVE IN A PINK CADILLAC...(OR LINCOLN TOWN CAR)

We still can't believe that TERRORTOWN IS GONE! OH NO!

It was always my partner's BIGGEST ROAD TRIP ANTICIPATION OF THE YEAR after THE HAUNTING had also suddenly shuttered some time ago...ah, Stuart...we miss you dude but know east coast TV made you an offer you couldn't refuse...

Oh yeah, an offer you can't refuse...that's actually why TERRORTOWN closed as you may know if you've been following here...their owner started working with ROB ZOMBIE WHO HAS HIS HAUNT IN CHICAGO THIS YEAR!

COULD BE TIME FOR A...  N - E - W  R - O - A - D T - R - I - P ! ! !

Or a really quick flight of course, but hey DETROIT TO CHICAGOÂis no big deal driving especially with multiple drivers and super cheap gas now...but be sure to PICK UP SOME FAYGO 2 liters IN DETROIT BEFORE YOU GO making sure that you get at least a few DIET FAYGO's in your buy. (We'll tell you later more about THAT and you're gonna absolutely love it!)

SATURDAY WITH THE CLOWNS!

INSANE CLOWN POSSSE is PLAYING AT ROB ZOMBIE'S GREAT AMERICAN NIGHTMARE HAUNT, headlining along with P.O.D. ON SATURDAY NIGHT, OCTOBER 3, 2015!

HUESKER SEE, HUESKER DO

But hold on...it gets better...hey, it's ROB ZOMBIE'S HAUNT...c'mon we've all heard the soft, sweet, lilting strains of Dragula a couple hundred thousand times at countless haunts across the land...ah, memories...and the video of Dragula on Vevo has OVER 35 MILLIONS VIEWS! It's almost like a horror movie within itself - www.vevo.com/watch/rob-zombie/Dragula/USIV20300562

STRAIGHT FROM THE HORSE'S MOUTH

So how about if you could GO TO A MEGAHAUNT AND SEE AN ACTUAL ROB ZOMBIE CONCERT? Would that be the HOLY GRAIL, OR WHAT?!

I mean, have you ever seen his WILD STAGE ANTICS? Check out this live clip on Vevo: www.vevo.com/watch/rob-zombie/Superbeast-(Live)/USUV71 40064 6

THIS DAY HAD TO COME, and now we know exactly when too! It's actually TWO days though - it's the ROB ZOMBIE CONCERT & GREAT AMERICAN NIGHTMARE HAUNTED ATTRACTION on FRIDAY OCTOBER 2nd AND SUNDAY OCTOBER 4th, 2015

Full details here, and be sure to check the photo gallery! www.GreatAmericanNightmare.com

And have you heard the ROB ZOMBIE VERSION OF "WE'RE AN AMERICAN BAND," originally by Grand Funk Railroad from Flint, Michigan?

It TOTALLY ROCKS! And I'm tired of the old version; at this point I actually like this ultra-modern version better! The drum tones are stellar featuring a giant fat sounding cowbell - the sound production values on this studio version are through the roof: www.vevo.com/watch/rob-zombie/Were-An-American-Band-(Lyric-V ideo)/USUV71301401

SEPTEMBER 16, 2015 WEDNESDAY 3 AM - IN A MOST DELIGHTFUL WAY

Quick - which two bands are most commonly associated with haunted houses?

1. _______________________________________________

2. _______________________________________________

The vast majority of you probably just said ROB ZOMBIE and INSANE CLOWN POSSE, or I'll be a monkey's uncle and eat your hat - or FAYGO bottle as the case may be...

A STRANGE BOMBASTIC MUSICAL ASSAULT FROM BEYOND

So if you could get any two bands for a haunted concert weekend, ICP and Zombie would be the ultimate choice, right? But what's the chance of THAT happening?!

Actually, it's 100% because it's already a done deal.

Stay tuned, details coming later today...

SEPTEMBER 11, 2015 FRIDAY 10 PM - How cool to think at this very moment the first haunt experiences of the season are happening!

The FEAR FINDER is ready online already, but THE HAUNT GUIDE is finishing up artwork layout for the ads.

They both have Facebook pages this year -www.facebook.com/FearFinder  and www.facebook.com/TheHauntGuide

Next up in a few - some news about an OVER THE TOP HAUNTED CONCERT WEEKEND we just know is going to intrigue the heck out of you!

SEPTEMBER 11, 2015 FRIDAY 6 PM - AND THEY'RE OFF!

There's 2 haunts open tonight! TERRORFIED FOREST AND MANOR in PINCKNEY and SCAREFEST SCREAM PARK in LENOX TWP. open for the 2015 season starting tonight.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2015 THURSDAY 1 PM - WHAT A WAY TO ARRIVE IN STYLE / THAT'S A SPICY MEATBALL!

I was just talking to my partner...somehow we got to talking about what a blast we have every year in Lenox Twp....

We already mentioned what's new at SCAREFEST SCREAM PARK this year so decided to check the website at the cross-town HAUNTED FARM OF TERROR and they've got a really cool partnership going that could just be the ULTIMATE WAY TO EXPERIENCE A HAUNT TOUR!

They're teamed up with INCOGNITO LIMOUSINE AND PARTY BUS to offer haunt fans a totally carefree journey that simply could never be experienced by driving yourself - check it out: www.HauntedFarmOfTerror.com

And on October 9th, WRIF and their ROCK GIRL CAYLA will make the 1st of 2 appearances at HAUNTED FARM OF TERROR.

She will no doubt be dressed to kill and drop-dead gorgeous, but none of that will matter when SHE GOES THROUGH THE HAUNT HERSELF to test her like nobody else would ever have to guts to! It should be A TOTAL SCREAM!

AUGUST 31, 2015 MONDAY 11 PM - STARTING OFF WITH A BIG BANG!

If you're a serious haunt fan with an insatiable appetite, here's your TICKET TO PARADISE - it's a new special event from the crew at SCAREFEST SCREAM PARK in LENOX TWP.

"SURVIVE THE NIGHT: AN INTERACTIVE HAUNTED CAMPOUT" will take place twice - on Friday, September 18th and Saturday, September 19th.

NEW HAUNT EXPERIENCE PROMISES BIG ADVENTURE & FUN GALORE

You'll be able to repeat visit any of the attractions and lots of special events like a scavenger hunt will challenge your prowess and skills of the night. Hunger pangs will be removed by the Hamlin Pub who will bring gobs of gourmet food for awesome haunting sustenance.

There's TONS more - click here to find more about this cool sounding event: www.scarefestscreampark.com/survivethenight/

AUGUST 31, 2015 MONDAY 8 PM - A SAD DAY ON ELM STREET

WES CRAVEN has just passed on we're sad to report.

He was the creator of some of the absolute best slasher movies, and that makes him family because...

Haunting and scary movies go hand-in-hand, and Wes' passion for creating some of the most engaging, gripping movies in that genre is legendary worldwide.

THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT was his breakout debut film in 1972, and I remember it spawning all sorts of mini-urban legends in much the same way tall tales about haunted houses get passed around in autumn every year...

(putting on memory cap) "OMG, I just heard that Jimmy took Susie to see Last House On The Left and JIMMY freaked out and peed his pants¦(or barfed, pooped or whatever) and they got kicked out of the theater!"

So it's a SAD DAY ON ELM STREET...but that reminds me...let's flip this feeling around 180 now...just thinking back right now and reliving the experience in my brain...of going to a KILLER HAUNT with a Wes Craven inspired name that's a little off the beaten path of Detroit but is TOTALLY WORTH DRIVING TO...

It's A NIGHTMARE ON ELM ROAD in WEBBERVILLE, and we've become so attached to this haunt that TWICE we blew off our BIG CITY PLANS RIGHT ON HALLOWEEN to go there instead!

BIG NEWS COMING IN JUST A FEW HOURS...

AUGUST 29, 2015 SATURDAY 1 PM - SAY IT AIN'T SO, JOE / THE ONLY INDUSTRY CONSTANT IS CHANGE

I just got off the phone with a really cool haunt operator, who we've admired SO much for SO many reasons...and said goodbye...for now anyway...

THE TONGUE BITING IS OVER!

Here it is, the big moment...drum roll...the MEGA HAUNT THAT'S CLOSING IN 2015 IS TERRORTOWN IN TOLEDO, OHIO.

What happened, you may ask?

TERRORTOWN WAS A FIRST CLASS, KILLER HAUNT featuring many awesome one-of-a-kind animatronics from beyond as well as excellent actors and great sets. (See archived reviews) They had the full, willing cooperation of the Lucas County Fairgrounds to continue there for as long as they wanted.

TERRORTOWN also pioneered a "swap & share" program between haunts in other states that benefitted countless haunt experiences across the nation. Major displays such as the totally flipped out FREAKATORIUM made their way from haunt to haunt, giving haunt fans brand new experiences and haunt operators extra clout. WIN WIN.

Why in the world would you close this on-top-of-its-game haunt?

Two years ago in 2013, the operator of TERRORTOWN freaked out his crew after opening weekend with a big surprise announcement. First he congratulated them on their great work, and then told them they're on their own for the rest of the season because he was flying to Los Angeles to help Rob Zombie create his new haunted attraction! Only his wife knew it was coming, which is as it should be.

Zombie had been so impressed with TERRORTOWN that he made an offer that couldn't be refused to their operator!

The absentee-operator status continued for one more year in 2014, with him now in Chicago where Rob Zombie just opened up shop.

But the ROB ZOMBIE project took off like a jet fighter plane, and it became clear it was finally time to close up shop in Toledo to go full time with Rob.

There's lots more to tell you, including some insider stuff about Rob Zombie himself and Insane Clown Posse that will likely surprise the heck out of you, but that's more than enough for you to digest right now!

Stay tuned as usual, for the unusual...

AUGUST 26, 2015 WEDNESDAY 1 AM - THE NEW DIMENSION IN HAUNT LIGHTING JUST WAITING TO BE TAPPED

As you may know, we're always very curious about how special lighting helps the haunt experience.

One of the most dramatic pro lighting effects ever (in any venue) is the so-called LIQUID SKY, where a laser shines through fog (or haze from a hazer) and creates a distinct 3-D image in mid air. The first time you see this, it's a GIANT WOW MOMENT!

Often a fan is used to draw air towards the laser, producing a spinning tunnel that looks like a COSMIC PORTAL DIRECTLY TO THE FOURTH DIMENSION!

For ages, RED LASERS were the only affordable choice for most venues.

But eventually, green lasers became affordable as with the American DJ MicroGalaxian which also has a red laser and can produce an impressive multi-colored liquid sky for only $99.

Then, it was the BLUE LASER that became cost prohibitive.

But we knew that couldn't last - in fact about a year ago we ran an article about a blue laser projector for home use we saw on an infomercial.

That was a consumer level product, but we imagined it still being able to produce an impressive BLUE LASER LIQUID SKY DISPLAY if the room size and ambient lighting was right.

That was then. This is now:

We just spotted a really cool looking red and green laser projector that also features a BLUE LED BACKWASH effect that's priced to move! www.lighting-geek.com/laser-lights/3d-laser/laser-star-proje ctor

So who will be the FIRST ONE ON THE BLOCK with a haunt that will TOTALLY BLOW OUR MINDS with the FIRST BLUE LASER LIQUID SKY?

AUGUST 11, 2015 TUESDAY 7:15 PM - While I have a few minutes, more tales from the front lines...so we were at an awesome wedding last week at the Turner Dodge House in Lansing...talking with people...somebody said they LOVED the HAUNTED MONSTER TRUCK RIDES in Lansing, which won our BEST PHYSICAL THRILL award in 2011.

Then someone said they're from Mason, and we asked them about SHAWHAVEN FARM...they LIT UP and smiled, mentioning the MILE HIGH PUMPKIN BEACON (OK, maybe more like a hundred feet) that they have erected to lead the masses to this way cool haunt.

If you're from the Detroit area, you may not have tried haunts in areas like Mason.

But we strongly suggest you do!

And then, on the way to Lansing we passed the Fowlerville / Webberville exit. BOTH of those cities have KILLER HAUNTS TOO! There's SLAUGHTERHOUSE in Fowlerville and A NIGHTMARE ON ELM ROAD in Webberville. (Check Reviews which are all archived)

JUNE 4, 2015 THURSDAY 7 PM - ROCK AIN'T DEAD, IT'S JUST IN REHAB

I just heard a band on ROCKSTATION (internet radio station from Switzerland) that sounds like they could be perfect for haunted house sound systems where you'd often hear ROB ZOMBIE and such...

It's theTEXAS HIPPIE COALITION, with songs like "MONSTER IN ME" and "ROCK AIN'T DEAD which you can see here with one of the "lyric videos" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIrNsHBSw1k

SOMEBODY needs to give ROB ZOMBIE a run for his money! haha

Hmm...above link did not work when tested just now, but if you search YouTube for Texas Hippie Coalition it'll come right up.

MAY 8, 2015 FRIDAY 11:11 PM - SPOOKS FROM SPAIN TO INVADE MICHIGAN SOON!

We happened to be in CHELSEA today, former home of PIGMANS LAIR which was a WAY COOL HAUNT that featured a SUPER TALL MAD SCIENTIST RIG and live performances by CREEPY CLYDE who later had his own radio show.

We were totally NOT looking for anything haunt related actually...but then...(still being written)

APRIL 22, 2015 WEDNESDAY 7:51 PM - I can't believe it...JUST NOW on Jeopardy! the correct response was "What is Mount EREBUS?"!!!

FEBRUARY 20, 2015 FRIDAY 2 AM - HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR!

Get the moon dust out, because over 100 countries are celebrating the new lunar year right now, and in China the big national TV event drew OVER 600 MILLION VIEWERS according to CBC News in Canada!

That's more than a long list of award shows you're familiar with like The Oscars COMBINED! Take a look at some of the craziness:

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/10611661/Lunar- New-Year-celebrations-from-around-the-globe.html

SO, WHAT ABOUT THE HAUNT MARKET IN CHINA?

I'll bet they would GO TOTALLY BONKERS if only they could experience a World Class Haunt like for example, THE HAUNT in GRAND RAPIDS.

NOVEMBER 3, 2014 MONDAY 3 PM - ANOTHER AWESOME SEASON!

Our sincere thanks to all the haunts that we visited in 2014, and even to the ones we couldn't make it to this year.

We KNOW you're all passionate and committed to this highly unique entertainment form, and your imagination never ceases to amaze us!

NOVEMBER 1, 2014 SATURDAY 4 AM - PUMPKIN PRIDE / LITTLE SOLDIERS

We got an extra show we never expected last night on WIXOM ROAD crusin' to DARK LEGACY!

We noticed a school that decorated both sides of the street at the curb with handmade pumpkin faces, each made by a student there we're thinking.

THEY WERE SO CUTE!

There had to be at least 50 on each side, so we slowed down to see this WONDERFUL DISPLAY OF PURE MICHIGAN HAPPINESS...and you should too on your way to DARK LEGACY in WIXOM if you haven't been there yet!

There's some bizarre stuff going on there...science has never been so scary!

OCTOBER 31, 2014 FRIDAY 2:30 PM - LET THE SNOW HOWL

Did you ever plan to do something fun with your friends...and then some sort of EXTREME CIRCUMSTANCE HITS...but you go anyway and have the time of your life?

Down the road, those are the stories remembered the most and talked about as well.

It's just human nature...the prim-and-proper everything was perfect just as planned events never get re-told and embellished later on.

HOOTIN' AND HOWLIN' IN THE BLUSTERY SNOW - THE GLASS IS WAY MORE THAN HALF FULL 

The weather for Halloween in Michigan and Ohio is horrible, with rain today and snow and howling winds later right during trick-or-treat time.

That's a good thing.

HUH?

At its' very core, Trick-or-Treating is far more about shared experiences than the sugar-fueled frenzy which fades quickly.

The shared experience of going out on Halloween despite the lousy weather will last far longer than the secret stash of Snickers bars...and then someday...it's like "Oh yeah? That's nothing...one time we actually went TRICK OR TREATING IN THE SNOW...there was gale force winds...nobody else went and we filled three pillow cases...except Freddie...he filled SIX pillow cases...they had to pump his stomach later..."

Thank you, Mother Nature.

OCTOBER 31, 2014 FRIDAY 2 PM - FORGET ABOUT IT!

No, not Halloween, silly!

The new story isn't ready yet. I got to a certain point...yeah, yeah that's IT...then...nothing.

But I've been thru this before, and know what I need to do...FORGET ABOUT IT!

I've done all the thinking I can about it for now...time to totally remove myself from it for awhile and let my subconscious mind "fill in the blanks" and then when I'm least expecting it...DING!

I'll finish it in a flash when the AHA MOMENT hits, but Halloween is still story time so in the meantime here's a rerun from last year I wrote after visiting the HAUNTED HYDRO in OHIO.

PIGTAILS & PUMPKINS – BLESSED BY A GOURD  by Zioptis

Inspired by Crazy Bob & adapted from a story by Bennet Cerf

Melissa counted out the last pennies of her fare, on a small bus in rural Wisconsin in 1967.

She was 14, and it was the day after Halloween. The kids in front of the bus were still celebrating, bragging about how much candy their pillow cases held and such.

Near the back of the bus was mean Mr. Turner.

Nobody knew much about him, except that he used to give each Trick-or-Treater a small packet of candy on Halloween.

That stopped a few years ago, but a bright Jack-o-Lantern still appeared on his front porch every Halloween.

He sat on the bus with no expression on his face, and in his feeble hands was said Jack-o-Lantern.

The crudely carved crooked teeth in the pumpkin resembled his own, and his clothes were ragged with the shirt buttoned wrong.

Strangely, Melissa walked right past her friends, and sat down across from mean Mr. Turner who continued to look forward with an empty stare.

Then suddenly he spun the pumpkin to face her, with its' silly face as he yelled "BOO!" and went back to his empty stare.

Melissa shrieked just as she had the weekend before at the local Jaycee's Haunted House, but then grinned a grin like the Great Pumpkin Himself.

At the next stop, the not-so-mean-after all Mr. Turner got up to leave.

But he hesitated for a moment, and then thrust the jolly Jack-o-Lantern into the girl's hands. He said, "The pumpkin made you smile…I think my wife would like you to have it…I'll tell her I gave it to you."

The old man hobbled out of the bus, and just before he disappeared from sight out the back window, Melissa saw him walk through the gates into a small cemetery.

 OCTOBER 14, 2014 TUESDAY 4 PM - WHAT THE FOG? / I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW

Earlier, we were throwing around a lot of big talk about LASERS and LIQUID SKY EFFECTS without ever explaining exactly what a LIQUID SKY is.

DUH...you know what happens when you ASSUME something, right?

It makes an ASS out of U and ME!  haha

The HIGHLY DRAMATIC LIQUID SKY effect is produced when a laser projection in a dark room is accompanied by FOG.

When a non-moving pattern like a circle, oval, or flat beam is used the edges of the laser beam become sharply defined as a luminous translucent surface, upon which air currents are suddenly clearly visible.

If you drag your fingers through the edge of the beam, you can clearly see the disturbance of air currents.

Sometimes, a fan is used in a position that will draw air TOWARDS the laser projector. This produces a distinct SPINNING TUNNEL effect, and the first time you see it is a GUARANTEED WOWSER MOMENT.

The first time we ever saw a highly effective GREEN LASER LIQUID SKY DISPLAY was at the now defunct haunt THE HAUNTING in ADRIAN, when most haunts had not even heard of GREEN LASERS.

The laser and fan were positioned high enough in a corner to engulf the entire room.

They had to SHOO people along as the room filled up because haunters were frozen in their tracks, completely awestruck with jaws dropped!

Nobody had ever seen such a dramatic lighting effect anywhere, as concert usage of this was years away.

Any color of laser beam produces the effect, but GREEN LASERS are commonly used for LIQUID SKY because they're so much brighter than red.

BLUE LASERS have so far been prohibitively expensive to use, and are much darker in appearance so green has become the Industry Standard.

But that could change soon - see the article below from OCTOBER 13, 2014 MONDAY 5 PM - OUT OF THE BOX AGAIN.

OCTOBER 13, 2014 MONDAY 9 PM - THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT

Time is valuable, and many times we find ourselves in a big hurry.

But sometimes, just another moment or so is all we need...

Like last night, I had to stop for gas before the Flint trip and pulled into the local Mobil Station...Sunday night, the haunts close early...'git a-move-on...the clerk behind the bullet proof Plexiglas is bored stiff...I pull out my money and a cluster of Zioptis cards comes with it...

The PUMPKIN SIDE of the card was up and it seemed to catch his eye...trying to compose a quick Cliff Notes 101 I blurted out: "Here's a little present for your Halloween fans...IT'S TOTALLY FREE...sorta like going to a haunted house, WITHOUT going to a haunted house!"

I slipped the small pile of Zioptis cards under the money slot with my gas cash, and FINALLY I caught him starting to smile...let's see what he's REALLY capable of...just as I opened the door to leave, pretending to have an afterthought I suddenly looked right back into his eyes and let out a hearty "SHOE - KRAHN"! (Arabic for "Thank You") and watched with glee as he grinned the grin that would make the CHESHIRE CAT HIMSELF DISAPPEAR WITH HAPPINESS!

Total extra time expended: 2 seconds.

Estimated impact length: long enough for him to pass it on to at least one other person.

Like I said, time is valuable. Don't waste even 2 seconds.

 Rest In Peace, Adam T. Ladd
June 19, 1974 – May 30, 2014

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