Calling all Horror fans!

If you live in the Los Angeles area the convention to go to is Scare LA. It usually takes place right when summer is ending. It’s like a kick off into the horror season. Scare LA 2018 took place on August 25th & 26 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, South Hall K. A fan festival that first started in 2013 that is completely dedicated to the spirit of Halloween. This event is jam-packed with workshops, panels, vendors, mazes and musical entertainment. This is the place where you can feel at home, among other horror enthusiast.

As soon as you enter the event you are greeted by fog machines, and loud yelling from a maze to the right in which zombies are at war with civilians. Rows upon rows of unique vendors and others showcasing their amazing talents. If you have ever been to any haunt; this place feels like a similar environment. Scare zones and mazes with darkness. Many vendors carried flashlights to show off their items in the darkness.

As I walked each row, I was constantly surprised by the vendors. There were makeup vendors with unique color pallets, makeup displays for special FX, live special FX demonstrations, specialty soap vendors, mask vendors, purses, clothing, etc. All of which related to the spirit of Halloween. I also spoke to a vendor that sold scents. He makes scents that can be placed in fog machines or oils that are placed throughout your home. The scents were super odd; firewood, hell, nightmare, dreams, etc to name a few. I never realized how scents play an important role in how we remember things or react to the environment.

There were Krampuses running wild and other spooky ghouls too. Some panels were dedicated to new and upcoming horror movies and others were dedicated to discussions of older movies and opened up for some Q’s and A’s. Ed Alonzo was performing as magician on the main stage. There was a huge Ouija board which anyone could use. A giant ball pit made of eyeballs. There was about 6 mazes, a ghost train and virtual reality scare areas. One of the coolest things I enjoyed was the silent disco. You got to wear headphones with 3 stations that played different types of music. There was a live DJ mixing. I was dancing along the scare zones without a worry in the world. There were booths promoting upcoming movies and shows. Some had cool skits to have you intrigued in the show, and they asked for participation. Some of the workshops they had were about doing face makeup, drawings, and making burlap masks. Lastly there were also some meet and greet areas for horror fans to take pictures or get things autographed by Philip Friedman, Jake Busey, and Linda Blair among others.

If this sounds amazing, be sure to check it out next year in August. You can buy your tickets online or in person. Come prepared to spend some money because trust me you will want everything. It is a two-day event, but you can always just go for one day. It was immersive, guaranteed a great time.