Life Lessons in Haunting

I was dead set on doing Troupe Macabre as my theme this year. I was really looking forward to it, and had a whole spiel for my role as the Carnival Barker. But, to say the least, life intervened. I was feeling very stressed, and due to a busy schedule, didn't get many Sideshow-themed props built. Two nights ago, my stepdad, Ben, suggested that in order to actually some stress free fun on Halloween, simply build on last year's display (Scarecrow Hill), because I had so many "Traditional Hallowe'en" props, why not simply add to that collection. Life gives you pumpkins, you make pie. The point I'm trying to make is that, in a way, Halloween is more important than a Haunt, and by that I mean what's the point of having a cool haunt if that day of days sucks because of stress and panic? And to you all, I'm sorry Troupe Macabre didn't materialize, it was a cool, albeit complex, idea. I hope you all like my haunt this year. It's sort of a sequel to last year, but with the addition of witchcraft. Here's the video from my spectacular, all new, YOUTUBE CHANNEL! You can check the entire channel at www.youtube.com/user/halloweenut13



Oh, and a hat tip to new follower KK. And an extra special greeting to AutumnForest, of Ghost Hunting Theories, a fun paranormal/horror blog, and whose truly a kind person. Seriously, go check out her blog now!

Northern Ohio Haunter's Make-n-Take Today

Courtesy of WitchOtastic from Garage of Evil Network. I'll be leaving in like 45 minutes, so I wanted to do a quick blog post before I go. It should be a lot of fun. There's gonna be a prop show n tell, a skull plaster-casting demo, and, of course, the MnT. They'll be building the Laser Vortex illusion. I would be, too, be the stupid laser I ordered off e-bay hasn't arrived yet. Then again, it's coming from China. I'll try to do as much as I can at the make n take, and of course, show off my Celtic tombstone and Pumpkinrot-inspired witch jars. I've included a video of the vortex I'll be trying to make. And here's a link to the site of WitchOtastic's AMAZING haunt. Well, gotta run!

Urban Legends: House of Horrors

This vid kinda reminds me of the local "7 Floors of Hell" urban legend. Trust me, its a fun video!

Useless Post

Well, the title pretty much sums this one up. I've been wanting to give a shout-out to the wonderfully talented ShellHawk, but my damn camera keeps not working. I'll have to get it working soon. But in the meantime, I wanted mention a few things while I'm hear. First, a big bloodthirsty welcome to the infamous Spooky Vegan. I love getting new followers! =:)

Second, I've just gotten a great new source for lighting. there basically LED mini-spotlights, from a site called Jack's Tool Shed. I'll be using these babies for my Halloween party and haunt for sure! I've included a link to the site (beware - shipping is pricey!!) and here's a link to Pumpkinrot's blog, where I learned about this little beauties! I'll post some pictures after Labor Day to show them off! Definitely get 'em for your haunt or party - you won't regret it!

Finally, looks like I'll be attending my first make 'n' take here in Ohio. It'll be at a home haunt called the Haunted Cauldron, hosted by WitchOtastic from GOE, and will include a Show 'n' Tell, skull plaster casting demo, and a laser vortex make 'n' take. It sounds completely awesome. I'll try and snag some video! Thanks to Rev at Hauntcast for the tip-off!

Back to Work

Well, my summer vacation's over, and I just finished my first day of 10th grade today. I'll just say this: It's gonna be a long year.

On the other hand, Halloween is getting closer! I can't wait to hand out the invites to my party!

Shopping at Michael's!

Hey, everyone! Just got back from a trip to Michael's looking for some stuff to use in the haunt. Ended up getting some really neat stuff for the party and the sideshow haunt at my mom's house!

Some of the stuff I got included an orange candle, and a black candle (they smell like candy corn and black licorice, respectively). Also got a mini foam skull, pack of pumpkin treat holders that I'll put lights in, and a changing portrait! It changes from a medieval noble to a Grim Reaper. Some of the props are going to be working over time, at both the party and the sideshow. I'm gonna turn the mini skull into a paper-mache shrunken head, currently in progress, and I'll display the portrait as a "Demonically-possessed Painting" in the sideshow, and at the party he'll just be another decoration. I've included some pics (sorry if there not great quality, they were taken on a cell phone).

Oh, before I go, I'd like to give a scream-out to my two new followers, Shawn, and Dio. Glad to have you both aboard this terror train!

Next post: a scream-out to Shellhawk, and some photos of the wicked-cool stuff I won from her!

Step Right Up (or, A Really Long Post)

Like I said in an earlier post, I've modified the exact theme of Troupe Macabre ever so slightly. The original theme was simply "carnival"; I thought it would be more interesting to focus on a part of carnivals that isn't really done in haunts: Sideshow! Granted, I'm on a budget, so I can't very well hire a bunch of performers to wonder around doing their stunts, like sword swallowing, the Human Blockhead, fire-eating, and all other forms of extreme entertainment (it's neat idea, though). So what I'll be doing instead is turning my sidewalk into a midway, and my front porch into a circus freak museum. Instead showcasing "freaks" which would have people more ticked off than scarred, MY museum would display creepy "artifacts" like shrunken heads, the Fiji Mermaid, the Mummy, and much more! Now for the real meat of my post today: the biggest influence over my haunt this year, the Carnival Diablo Circus Sideshow!!!
This sideshow has a long and interesting history. It's run out of Toronto Canada, by owner Scott McCelland, AKA "Nikolia Diablo" who performs as head freak and Ringmonster of the show. It originally opened as a tourist attraction in Calgary, but became so popular it took to the road. Scott apparently got his inspiration from his grandfather, who owned Canada's largest traveling carnival, which ran from 1920 through 1968. This sideshow is different from the usual fare because it takes a theatrical approach to sideshow, instead the more common "Hey-look-what-I-can-do" approach. Also, it doesn't hurt that the whole show is done in the style of old fashioned horror movies. To give you an idea of the show, There's a video of the show below, but be warned: the video contains "Graphic and Unusual Performances" and keep in mind, NO SPECIAL EFFECTS HERE! It's all real. So please, don't little any little kids be watching this. It's, well, freaky:



Now for some more lighthearted fare: Scott also owns a traveling museum, called the Carnival Diablo World of Wonders. Here's a video of Scott, in character as "Nikolai" performing as the barker. Don't worry - this one is kid-friendly:



Both barker's spiels in the videos have given me inspiration, as I'll be playing the barker at my haunt. Well, gotta run. For those interested, here's the Carnival Diablo website:

CarnivalDiablo.com