{"id":427823,"date":"2026-08-09T04:06:18","date_gmt":"2026-08-09T04:06:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/427823\/"},"modified":"2026-08-09T04:06:18","modified_gmt":"2026-08-09T04:06:18","slug":"midsummer-scream-returns-to-haunt-long-beach-with-a-decade-long-history-of-fear-fun-and-frights-redlands-daily-facts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/427823\/","title":{"rendered":"Midsummer Scream returns to haunt Long Beach with a decade-long history of fear, fun and frights \u2013 Redlands Daily Facts"},"content":{"rendered":"

Long Beach was once again the center of horror in all the best ways possible as the annual Midsummer Scream convention<\/a> returned to the city this weekend, featuring walk-through haunts, monsters, and the celebrities who bring them to life on screen.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery year I get dressed up and come here. Halloween<\/a> is my favorite holiday, and this is one of my favorite events,\u201d said Downey resident Jaime Flores, who was sporting a Grabber mask from the film \u201cThe Black Phone,\u201d as he waited outside the convention center before doors opened for day two on Saturday.<\/p>\n

He was among the 50,000 horror fans expected this weekend in Long Beach for the Aug. 7-9 Midsummer Scream<\/a>, which is marking its 10th anniversary.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you love these movies and this is your thing, this is where you need to be,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A scary clown entertains horror fans inside the Knott\u2019s Scary Farm booth during day one of Midsummer Scream at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach on Friday, August 7, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Inside<\/p>\n

Inside the, \u201cAbandoned\u201d haunted maze at the Midsummer Scream halloween and horror convention in Long Beach on Friday, August 7, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The entrance to the, \u201cWitchualz\u201d haunted maze during day one of the Midsummer Scream halloween and horror convention at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach on Friday, August 7, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Scary<\/p>\n

Scary characters wander the Hall of Shadows at the Midsummer Scream halloween and horror convention in Long Beach on Friday, August 7, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"From<\/p>\n

From right, Roger Jackson, the voice of Ghostface from the Scream movie franchise, signs an autograph for Diana So of Vancouver during the Midsummer Scream halloween and horror convention in Long Beach on Friday, August 7, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Inside<\/p>\n

Inside the, \u201cRoots of Evil\u201d haunted maze at the Midsummer Scream halloween and horror convention in Long Beach on Friday, August 7, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"From<\/p>\n

From right, Ryan Sepulveda demonstrates to Emma Black how a scary mask fits during day one of the Midsummer Scream halloween and horror convention at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach on Friday, August 7, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Inside<\/p>\n

Inside the, \u201cBite\u201d haunted maze at the Midsummer Scream halloween and horror convention in Long Beach on Friday, August 7, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Inside<\/p>\n

Inside the, \u201cWitchualz\u201d haunted maze at the Midsummer Scream halloween and horror convention in Long Beach on Friday, August 7, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Artist<\/p>\n

Artist Simon Estrada works on a drawing of Mothman during day one of the Midsummer Scream halloween and horror convention at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach on Friday, August 7, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Comic<\/p>\n

Comic books available during day one of the Midsummer Scream halloween and horror convention at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach on Friday, August 7, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Customized<\/p>\n

Customized hats and beanies available during day one of the Midsummer Scream halloween and horror convention at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach on Friday, August 7, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"From<\/p>\n

From left, Goldie Johnson tattoos a Freddy Krueger rose on Darren Vidal Varela during day one of the Midsummer Scream halloween and horror convention in Long Beach on Friday, August 7, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"From<\/p>\n

From right, Roger Jackson, the voice of Ghostface from the Scream movie franchise, signs an autograph for Diana So of Vancouver during the Midsummer Scream halloween and horror convention in Long Beach on Friday, August 7, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"From<\/p>\n

From left, John Carpenter and Sandy King attend day one of the Midsummer Scream halloween and horror convention at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach on Friday, August 7, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Roger<\/p>\n

Roger Jackson, the voice of Ghostface from the Scream movie franchise, signs autographs during the Midsummer Scream halloween and horror convention in Long Beach on Friday, August 7, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Day<\/p>\n

Day one of the Midsummer Scream halloween and horror convention at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach on Friday, August 7, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"From<\/p>\n

From left, Tina Demirchian and Mimi Cleary apply monster make-up to Sam Tepper during day one of the Midsummer Scream halloween and horror convention in Long Beach on Friday, August 7, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Emma<\/p>\n

Emma Black of Garden Grove tries on a scary mask during day one of the Midsummer Scream halloween and horror convention at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach on Friday, August 7, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Scary<\/p>\n

Scary characters wander the Hall of Shadows at the Midsummer Scream halloween and horror convention in Long Beach on Friday, August 7, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 20<\/p>\n

A scary clown entertains horror fans inside the Knott\u2019s Scary Farm booth during day one of Midsummer Scream at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach on Friday, August 7, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

Expand<\/a><\/p>\n

Midsummer Scream is now marketed as the biggest horror convention in the world by officials. The popularity was obvious Saturday when crowds walked shoulder-to-shoulder through the Long Beach Convention Center, which was entirely taken up by Midsummer Scream. The event included industry panels, musical shows<\/a>, haunts, vendors and other attractions.<\/p>\n

Although cosplay is not as prevalent as events like San Diego Comic-Con<\/a>, many people wore costumes inspired by characters from films like \u201cFive Nights at Freddy\u2019s,\u201d \u201cScream\u201d and \u201cHellraiser.\u201d And of course there were a lot of random crazy clowns, including Pennywise from \u201cIT\u201d and Art from \u201cTerrifier.\u201d<\/p>\n

Haunted floor<\/p>\n

While people took pictures with characters walking around, the real star of the show was the Hall of Shadows, a darkened area that houses more than a dozen haunted walk-through attractions and displays.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s where home-haunt maker Hector Velasquez set up his \u201cRealm of Horror: Witchualz-The Hunter\u2019s Reckoning,\u201d haunt for his second year at Midsummer.<\/p>\n

Midsummer Scream marks a decade of fear and frights in Long Beach<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cThe witch hunter is recruiting you to go into the woods to kill witches, but by the end you find out who the real monster is,\u201d he warned. \u201cI love being here. It feels like a privilege being here among these great haunts.\u201d<\/p>\n

Filled with jump scares, the haunt has a bit of a demonic feel with horned creatures, characters screaming in cages and evil rituals. It all impressed horror fans like Riverside resident Isabella Calderon.<\/p>\n

\u201cI screamed a lot, even in the parts where no one jumped out. It was just creepy,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Veteran haunts like \u201cLionsgate Horror: Roots of Evil\u201d were there too, with a walkthrough haunt about an abandoned cabin. While the haunt was short and lacking a bit in scares, the forest hall of mirrors was worth it. It made you feel actually lost deep in the woods.<\/p>\n

Midsummer Scream 2026: How horror musicals are driving this year\u2019s con<\/a><\/p>\n

Shop until you drop<\/p>\n

Many came ready to take a piece of Midsummer home from the Showfloor, where more than 350 booths were set up selling everything from costumes to props to art and handmade accessories. The biggest lines early in the day were for horror-themed eats and drinks like those made by Horror Vibes Coffee, a North Hollywood-based shop that was selling drinks like The Rise of Espressa, Carrie with Mocha and One Wish with Willow, a chocolate chai inspired by the recent film \u201cObsession.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another long line was for Oxnard-based Spooky Dessert Club, where people waited patiently for treats like Red Velvet Slasher Cake and Scary Movie S\u2019mores adorned with scenes from movies or horror characters.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s sweets that are all horror, creepy-themed, and I\u2019ve been following on Instagram and been wanting to come,\u201d said Pomona resident Elyssa Alatorre as she was about to get in line for the Spooky Dessert Club. \u201cI love all of this; this is my first time here,\u201d she said of Midsummer Scream.<\/p>\n

Original \u2018Scream\u2019 cast to celebrate 30th anniversary at Midsummer Scream in Long Beach<\/a><\/p>\n

Nostalgia was also big this weekend with many people crowding booths that were selling horror DVDs and VHS tapes.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, people still do have VCRs, and there\u2019s no better way to watch 80s horror films than on a VCR,\u201d said West Hollywood resident Randy Kim as he hunted for VHS movies from a rack of tapes at the Play it By Fear movie booth.<\/p>\n

Kim found the original \u201cHalloween\u201d and \u201cScream,\u201d and he also happened to be just a few steps away from some of the stars of the \u201cScream\u201d franchise<\/a>, including Skeet Ulrich, Jamie Kennedy and Matthew Lillard, and the legendary \u201cHalloween\u201d filmmaker John Carpenter<\/a>.<\/p>\n

John Carpenter brings his \u2018Cathedral\u2019 nightmare to Midsummer Scream<\/a><\/p>\n

They were among the celebrities signing autographs and taking pictures on the convention floor. Also on the celebrity list was 1980s icon Dee Wallace, whose many films include \u201cCujo,\u201d \u201cE.T.,\u201d \u201cThe Howling,\u201d and of course \u201cCritters.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve met a lot of beautiful, kind people. I just look at the conventions as a way to exchange a lot of love about all the things I\u2019ve done over my career,\u201d Wallace said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Long Beach was once again the center of horror in all the best ways possible as the annual…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":427746,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[33],"tags":[7,71831,585,131,133,132,137,420],"class_list":["post-427823","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-long-beach","tag-california","tag-comic-con","tag-halloween","tag-long-beach","tag-long-beach-headlines","tag-long-beach-news","tag-los-angeles-county","tag-things-to-do"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/427823","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=427823"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/427823\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/427746"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=427823"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=427823"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=427823"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}