{"id":428471,"date":"2026-08-10T01:16:09","date_gmt":"2026-08-10T01:16:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/428471\/"},"modified":"2026-08-10T01:16:09","modified_gmt":"2026-08-10T01:16:09","slug":"midsummer-scream-closes-out-3-day-celebration-of-horror-in-long-beach-whittier-daily-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/428471\/","title":{"rendered":"Midsummer Scream closes out 3-day celebration of horror in Long Beach \u2013 Whittier Daily News"},"content":{"rendered":"

Midsummer Scream<\/a> closed out its first decade of horror-themed celebration on Sunday, Aug. 9.<\/p>\n

The three-day event took over the Long Beach Convention Center, featuring star-studded panels<\/a>, walk-through haunts<\/a>, horror cosplayers, musicals and more.<\/p>\n

\"Fans<\/p>\n

Fans pose in front of scary clowns during the Midsummer Scream, Halloween and Horror convention at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach on Saturday, August 8, 2026. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News\/ SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Director<\/p>\n

Director John Carpenter poses for photos with a fan during the Midsummer Scream, Halloween and Horror convention at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach on Saturday, August 8, 2026. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News\/ SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Fans<\/p>\n

Fans wait to tour one of the many booths during the Midsummer Scream, Halloween and Horror convention at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach on Saturday, August 8, 2026. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News\/ SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Actor<\/p>\n

Actor Barry Bostick, poses for pictures with fans during the Midsummer Scream, Halloween and Horror convention at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach on Saturday, August 8, 2026. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News\/ SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A fan poses with a cutout of the Pinhead character from Hellraiser during the Midsummer Scream, Halloween and Horror convention at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach on Saturday, August 8, 2026. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News\/ SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Tony<\/p>\n

Tony and Kerijma Perez of Compton wearing horror costumes pose for pictures during the Midsummer Scream, Halloween and Horror convention at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach on Saturday, August 8, 2026. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News\/ SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Actress<\/p>\n

Actress Dee Wallace signs autographs for fans during the Midsummer Scream, Halloween and Horror convention at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach on Saturday, August 8, 2026. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News\/ SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Fans<\/p>\n

Fans pose in front of scary clowns during the Midsummer Scream, Halloween and Horror convention at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach on Saturday, August 8, 2026. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News\/ SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A fan dressed as Anne Archy drag queen during the Midsummer Scream, Halloween and Horror convention at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach on Saturday, August 8, 2026. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News\/ SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Tony<\/p>\n

Tony and Kerijma Perez of Compton wearing horror costumes pose for pictures during the Midsummer Scream, Halloween and Horror convention at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach on Saturday, August 8, 2026. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News\/ SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A scary Santa Claus during the Midsummer Scream, Halloween and Horror convention at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach on Saturday, August 8, 2026. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News\/ SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Spiked<\/p>\n

Spiked bat props for sale during the Midsummer Scream, Halloween and Horror convention at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach on Saturday, August 8, 2026. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News\/ SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Fans<\/p>\n

Fans walk past the Universal monsters booth during the Midsummer Scream, Halloween and Horror convention at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach on Saturday, August 8, 2026. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News\/ SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A person dressed a costume walks toward a theatre during the Midsummer Scream, Halloween and Horror convention at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach on Saturday, August 8, 2026. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News\/ SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Horror<\/p>\n

Horror props for sale during the Midsummer Scream, Halloween and Horror convention at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach on Saturday, August 8, 2026. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News\/ SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Fans<\/p>\n

Fans walk past a image of Frankenstein during the Midsummer Scream, Halloween and Horror convention at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach on Saturday, August 8, 2026. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News\/ SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A fan sits in a Doom Buggy from the Disneyland ride Haunted Manison during the Midsummer Scream, Halloween and Horror convention at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach on Saturday, August 8, 2026. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News\/ SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Thousands<\/p>\n

Thousands of fans line up for the Midsummer Scream, Halloween and Horror convention at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach on Saturday, August 8, 2026. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News\/ SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Horror<\/p>\n

Horror masks for sale during the Midsummer Scream, Halloween and Horror convention at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach on Saturday, August 8, 2026. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News\/ SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A fan dressed as a witch is silouetted as they walk past exhibits during the Midsummer Scream, Halloween and Horror convention at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach on Saturday, August 8, 2026. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News\/ SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A fan silouetted takes pictures of a haunted grave yard during the Midsummer Scream, Halloween and Horror convention at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach on Saturday, August 8, 2026. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News\/ SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A person dressed as Freddy Krueger, from the Nightmare of Elm Street movies during the Midsummer Scream, Halloween and Horror convention at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach on Saturday, August 8, 2026. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News\/ SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Decayed<\/p>\n

Decayed brigade sliders pose for pictures during the Midsummer Scream, Halloween and Horror convention at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach on Saturday, August 8, 2026. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News\/ SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Actress<\/p>\n

Actress Dee Wallace smiles during the Midsummer Scream, Halloween and Horror convention at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach on Saturday, August 8, 2026. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News\/ SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A vampire poses during the Midsummer Scream, Halloween and Horror convention at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach on Saturday, August 8, 2026. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News\/ SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Thousands<\/p>\n

Thousands of fans line up for the Midsummer Scream, Halloween and Horror convention at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach on Saturday, August 8, 2026. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News\/ SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A fan poses with a charecter from the movie Scream during the Midsummer Scream, Halloween and Horror convention at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach on Saturday, August 8, 2026. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News\/ SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

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Fans pose in front of scary clowns during the Midsummer Scream, Halloween and Horror convention at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach on Saturday, August 8, 2026. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News\/ SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

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

This year\u2019s convention<\/a> featured a special themed design by Massachusetts-based artist Stephan Andrade, who specializes in \u201950s and \u201960s-style vintage movie posters. Andrade, who was also a vendor, said his work is inspired by monster, horror and sci-fi movie posters, along with pulp magazines from the \u201940s and \u201950s, which are known for their use of bold colors and graphics.<\/p>\n

Midsummer Scream co-founder David Markland<\/a> contacted Andrade to ask for his art to be the face of this year\u2019s convention and for a horror musicals theme<\/a>. He was excited by the idea of having his work be such a pivotal part of the horror con, given it\u2019s only the second convention he\u2019s ever been featured at.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cDavid started hashing out a list of what the big ones were, and then we kept on adding more, and we were getting all these that I never realized they made into musicals; it was so cool,\u201d Andrade said. \u201cThen it was just a matter of finding the best visuals for them and assembling them into one image.\u201d<\/p>\n

Also vending on the Showfloor was Moreno Valley-based tattoo company Second To None, which had lines of horror fans looking to get some fresh ink. Attendees could choose from flash tattoos, basic fine-line, or portrait realism, in traditional color and black-and-grey. The horror-themed tattoos and Friday the 13th flash were completed by the artists in 30 minutes or less.<\/p>\n

German Miranda, the lead artist and owner of the shop, said he brought live tattooing to Midsummer Scream in 2018 after coming with his wife, who ran her own merchandise booth and business on the showroom floor at the time.<\/p>\n

Midsummer Scream returns to haunt Long Beach with a decade-long history of fear, fun and frights<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cThis place is a vibe,\u201d Miranda said. \u201cI recommend everybody come by and check it out at least once.\u201d<\/p>\n

Up on the lobby level, the Black Cat Lounge had its own lines, but for a more wholesome cause, aiming to connect humans with some feline friends. Jen Florez is a longtime volunteer with Kitten Rescue LA, who helps with volunteer adoptions.<\/p>\n

She said the Black Cat Lounge has been a staple at Midsummer Scream<\/a> since 2017, and allows fans to come in and meet the cats in small groups, where they can pet and play with kittens and other full-grown cats. The convention sold $15 pins that, for the first 100 purchased each day, included a priority access pass to the Black Cat Lounge and let them skip the lines.<\/p>\n

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

The hope is that they can find homes for the cats or at least someone to foster them. If someone is interested in a particular cat, they can scan a QR code and get the process started.<\/p>\n

\u201cObviously, nobody could leave with cats today because we have a multi-step adoption process, but we do get quite a good number of adoptions and foster applications,\u201d Florez said. \u201cWe\u2019re a volunteer-run organization, and we don\u2019t have any big corporation behind us. We basically survive on donations and on angels who volunteer their time for us. I\u2019ve had quite a few people actually this weekend that have already signed up to be a foster, which helps us to run this because the more fosters we have, the more kitties we could save.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Midsummer Scream closed out its first decade of horror-themed celebration on Sunday, Aug. 9. The three-day event took…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":428432,"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-428471","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\/428471","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=428471"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/428471\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/428432"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=428471"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=428471"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=428471"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}