Midsummer Scream 2019

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My second Midsummer Scream is in the books, and it still feels like a dream.

I had SUCH an amazing time in 2018, but I didn’t plan on making the trip an annual thing. Then I was invited to speak at the 2019 event and, well, now I think I might be a lifer.

Midsummer Scream is my Halloween world come to life. It is amazing bumping into so many of my Instagram friends, shopping with vendors I love in person and getting little doses of spooky fun at all the panels.

I wish I could stay there forever.

If you haven’t been, it’s a MUST for your Halloween bucket list. Fingers crossed I’ll be headed back in 2020 to help celebrate the fifth anniversary!

Until there, here’s a peek inside everything I saw and did at Midsummer Scream 2019…

 

Midsummer Scream 2019

 

 

Out here, it might look like another sunny California day, but inside?

 

 

Inside, it’s the most spooktacular time of the year!

 

 

And this is the scream team that makes it all possible: (from left) Creative Director Rick West, Supervising Producer Claire Dunlap, Executive Producer Gary Baker and Executive Director David Markland. Thank you guys for giving us spooky kids a place to belong for one weekend a year.

 

 

Of course, the best part of the weekend is saying hello to all my Halloween friends! L-R from top left:

  1. Me with Chelsea in her tiki Elvira costume. I turned and saw boobs and hair and went, “oh, there’s Chelsea!” Haha
  2. Alanna from Mumsterville was an absolute DOLL.
  3. The one and only Scary Jerry! I had the best time chatting with him throughout the weekend.
  4. I was THRILLED to finally meet Hazel, aka the infamous @halloweenhomemaker on Instagram, while she teamed up with the phenomenal Edyn Rashae for the weekend.
  5. VENUS! aka @halloweenxo – we TOTALLY fangirled and squealed over each other when we literally bumped into one another in the Hall of Shadows.
  6. The gorgeous Dani, aka @stay_creepy_lbc, whose Halloween style I LOVE! I’m also giggling after the fact that she is on her tippy toes next to me. I’m too damn tall!
  7. The Samhain Society! Mike from All Hallows Geek and his wife Misty (who gifted me a Hopper pin, so we’re basically besties now), Kristy from Halloween Haiku and Chelsea, sans Elvira look, from Cheers with Chelsea!
  8. The Halloween Cowboy! I geeked out over snagging that photo because I love following him.
  9. THE FREAKIN’ SANDERSON SISTERS!!! Matt and I fawned over their killer costumes last year, and I could hardly believe when I spotted them again…much less that THEY remembered ME! They’re actually sisters and Sarah’s real name is even Sarah.

 

Midsummer Scream Panels

I always enjoy a chance to hear from some amazing panels I’d never have access to in Texas…and rest my feet for an hour or two. While I had quite the list of panels to attend, here’s what I made it to:

 

 

Haunted Mansion 50th anniversary panel. This group was loaded with Disney VIPs who told wonderful stories about creating – and maintaining – the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland.

 

 

On Sunday, I sat in on Christine McConnell’s panel which was a blast. Admittedly, I’d never seen an episode of her beloved Netflix series, so I righted that wrong Sunday night. If you want to learn more about the panel, be sure to check out All Hallows Geek’s wrap-up!

 

 

And, of course, I hosted a little panel of my own on Halloween shopping! It was a total dream come true – I only wish The Spooky Vegan had been there with me, as originally planned.

 

 

You can take a peek at my presentation on this page + some of my fave resources for Halloween shopping.

Not pictured: The Boo Crew podcast recording on the intersection of rock music and horror Katie and I sat in on Saturday evening.

 

Midsummer Scream Hall of Shadows

YOU. GUYS. I did not one, not two, but THREE HAUNTS in the Hall of Shadows this year! I was so proud of myself since haunted houses are NOT my thing. I think the thing I like about the haunts at Midsummer Scream is they’re short…so I don’t have nearly enough time to get inside my own head about what’s about to pop out at me.

My fave one? The Scream Queens experience, for sure!

 

 

The tiki guy to the right totally talked to me while I was taking these photos, and I loved every moment of it.

 

 

The team at CalHauntS did an AMAZING job on the Hall of Shadows entrance!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once again, Wicked Pumpkin Hollow is where I could have spent my entire Midsummer Scream. It’s the most gorgeous pumpkin patch ever!

 

 

 

 

Hellsir Cemetery was gorgeous too!

 

 

 

 

 

Bone Dry, one of the three haunts I did!

 

 

Fear Fest ’89 looked amazing…but I totally chickened out when I realized I had to go in solo.

 

Midsummer Scream After Party

This year I attended the Saturday night after party and had a great time dancing to some of my favorite Halloween tunes. (Doing “The Time Warp” with a room full of Halloween lovers was a DREAM!)

 

 

 

 

Please note the KILLER Dr. Frank-n-Furter on the left-hand side of the photo – he was AMAZING.

 

Midsummer Scream Odds and Ends

Random photos from the weekend…

 

 

One of the first things that greeted us on the show floor.

 

 

Paranormal Pixie’s Pumpkin Patch – I love the tiki touches.

 

 

 

This year’s Midsummer Scream shirt.

 

 

Honestly, this is one of my favorite photos from the weekend – I was THRILLED Mystic Museum brought their Sabrina dark baptism cake photo op to Midsummer Scream because I was SO jealous of everyone’s photos!

 

 

The badge designs were a TON of fun with year. My pineapple jack-o-lantern was my fave.

 

 

The face of a girl in her happy place.

 

 

And finally, I have to give the BIGGEST shout out to this gorgeous ghoul. Katie and I both visited California for the first time in 2018, separately, and we fell IN. LOVE. I asked her to come with me, despite the fact that she is not big on Halloween at all.

She was a wonderful partner in crime, photographer, junk holder and cheerleader. You know you have a great BFF when she goes with you to something that’s SO not her thing. I’ll never be able to thank you enough, K. 💜

 

 

What was your favorite part of Midsummer Scream 2019?

If you attended to, I’d love to hear what you loved this year – share away in the comments.

 

Hey…where are the vendors?

Oh girl. There were SO many photos I decided to break them up and add them to my haul post – read it right now!

 

Until next year Long Beach,

 

Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween

Miranda is the Houston-based writer, blogger, and Halloween lover behind Spooky Little Halloween, the blog celebrating October 31st all year long. Her favorite Halloween things include pumpkin guts, chocolate bars in her trick-or-treat pail, real haunted houses (including the one she lives in!), and historic cemeteries.

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