The lights went down in the grand ballroom at the Long Beach Convention Center as the cheers swelled from the crowd. Eager Halloween fans were hear to see what the Knott’s Scary Farm, the original Halloween Haunt, After taking the stage the incomparable P.T Barnum of Knott’s Scary Farm, Jeff Tucker welcomed all in attendance to the first Midsummer Scream Panel Discussion. Joining him for the discussion were Technical Director Ian Barnette, Audio Design Specialist, Adam Hankinson, and Entertainment Designer, Jon Cooke.
Jef had the clicker for the screens so we were in demented hands. The presentation started with the technology and the history of technology at Haunt. Sharing pictures from the original year in 1973, it was noted that Scary Farm originally only ran a total of three nights as the idea of stretching Halloween past the one day was a bit alien. The first few haunts were made with basic wire frame coat hangers and popsicle sticks. Suddenly they contrasted it with images of the most recent technology featured in the brilliant maze Paranormal Inc. Things have come a LONG way.
Moving on to the evolution of Audio designs, Audio Design Specialist, Adam Hankinsen retraced the history of sound at the event. Starting on wracks of Sony Walkman knock offs and using “Endless Tapes” and CDs. Here Adam had some good laughs at the expense of some of the maze names like “Killigan’s Island”, and “Stare Tracheotomy”.
Of course, Knott’s held the big announcements for last. Thousands of passionate Scary Farm fans waited with baited breath as the panel revealed that for the first time ever, Knott’s Scary Farm will feature standalone Skeleton Key Rooms that are independent from mazes. The four Skeleton Key Rooms will each feature a unique story and theme delivering unparalleled scares, interactive secrets and terrifying surprises!
Visions: Guests must investigate the Green Witch Museum in Ghost Town where it is not the building that is haunted, but the various items contained within. Using a Phantom Finder augmented reality device, guests will be able to identify and witness paranormal activity connected to items from the Sarah Marshall Witch Trial.
ZOZO: People from all over the world claim to have been visited by the demon ZOZO after a spirit board session. Is the demonic entity known as ZOZO real or are spirit boards just a myth?
Slasher: Guests are invited to step into an 80s’ slasher horror film. The masked Angel Maker Killer is on the loose. Every lead has run cold and that’s when you step into the picture. Will you become his next victim?
Prey: Navigate a hay maze full of dead ends with only a faulty lantern as your guide. You are not alone. Mutant beasts are lurking around every corner.
An interesting idea. They are essentially creating mini-haunts throughout the park. This begs the question, Will they continue to feature skeleton key rooms on the other mazes?
The team also revealed that last year’s groundbreaking Paranormal Inc. maze will return to Knott’s Scary Farm this year. Featuring high flying aerial stunts and scares, guests investigate a haunted hospital where the patients were tortured for decades by deranged doctors and nurses. Demonic spirits of the murdered victims have been detected throughout the mysterious halls, while evil medical staff hunt for new patients to torture.
More terrifying new surprises about this year’s event will be unveiled during the Knott’s Scary Farm unveiling event on August 25 at 8pm in the Charles M. Schulz theatre at Knott’s Berry Farm. Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholders and select media are invited to join the masterminds behind Scary Farm at the event. More information about how to attend will be released shortly on the Knott’s Scary Farm social media channels.
