Midsummer Scream 2022: People, Parties, and Exhibitors
Long Beach Convention Center, Long Beach, CA
After several interludes, we’ve come to the finale of our 2022 Midsummer Scream coverage. We’ve looked at the presentations and panels, crept through the spooky Hall of Shadows, and scoped out the entertainment offerings. And today, we’ve got a relatively concise conclusion by taking a look at the creative guests and the many, many, many vendors that were present at this year’s Halloween convention. These two components constitute arguably the heart of the entire event, because without the people attending and the exhibitors to provide an expo setting, this convention wouldn’t be happening. So enjoy this photo journey through Midsummer Scream for today’s #ShriekySunday!
The People of Midsummer Scream
As with any fan-fueled convention, some of the best parts of Midsummer Scream was simply admiring and enjoying those guests who went above and beyond and showed up in their own cosplay or costume outfits representing their favorite horror entities—or in some cases, mashing up some of their favorite frightful IP’s! Other guests also came as their haunt monster selves, offering familiar sights to those who frequent attractions like Fright Fest or Knott’s Scary Farm. And some came dressed up representing famous monsters and creatures of scary lore.
Wherever you looked, there was sure to be an interesting character prowling around. Here is just a small handful of the interesting looks we saw at the convention over Midsummer weekend.
It was Christmas in July, as this murder of Krapmuses / Krampi stalked the Midsummer Scream convention floor!
Trix the Trickster towered above nearly everyone else at Midsummer Scream!
Deadpool x Pikachu = Pikapool!
Incredible props to this guest who not only dressed up as a castle with Muppets but also did the Kermit and Miss Piggy voices and was basically a walking one man (or woman) show the entire weekend!
Zombie In-N-Out employees might be one of the most creative looks I’ve ever seen, even though it’s a logical SoCal mash-up!
The most terrifying creature at Midsummer Scream was Huggy Wuggy. Hugging you until your wugz explode.
These ladies look positively epic in their fabulous outfits!
Deadly Disco
The Saturday night after party also provided a great setting for people watching, especially with its promoted costume contest. The theme this year took guests back to the 1970s for a pumping party mixed with a tinge of murder-y intrigue. The Grand Ballroom was transformed into an open dance space, with bars flanking each end and some games set up for guests who preferred not to boogie. The energy took a little bit to get going at first, but once the music kicked into gear, the evening turned into a dancing inferno full of the most colorful and creative characters. It was like a giant Halloween party populated by passionate friends and a great chance to unwind after a long and busy day at the convention!
Dead pirate Red plunders the hall at the Deadly Disco.
This Jimi Hendrix had a most elaborate costume, complete with oversized drink!
Lets all watch Halloween TV, everyone!
The Deadly Disco was a great chance for couples to show their Halloween spirit too.
Before long, people were grooving on the dance floor!
Exhibitors
Finally, as usual, Midsummer Scream was loaded with literally hundreds of vendors on the show floor display and selling a wide variety of spooky and haunted souvenirs, mementos, and creations. From all the items one would want to run one’s own haunt—masks, props, fog, effects—to a plethora of artistic crafts like paintings and sculptures and furnishings, there was something for anything a horror fan might be searching. The show floor also functioned as advertising photo ops and information booths for some of this fall’s haunted attractions, like the L.A. Haunted Hayride, SHAQTOBERFEST, Castle Dark, Reign of Terror, and more. It was also the place to meet celebrities renown or associated with the horror scene. No doubt, a trip to Midsummer Scream wasn’t completely without at least one loop through the show floor! And we also appreciated how wide everything was spaced out, so that even when it was busy, it never really felt uncomfortably packed.
ImagineRick was one of a ton of vendors showcasing their work at Midsummer Scream.
Bob Gurr, inventor of the Doom Buggy, was part of the Haunted O.C. booth, as he has been for years.
Adam Jess FX showed off their amazing masks and haunt props.
Force of Nature Productions had a really great double photo op area!
The L.A. Haunted Hayride had the most prominent spot at the entrance into the vendor floor.
The Coble Haunter is a home haunter who has made his own dark ride, similar to Mystic Motel that we’ve covered in the past!
Midsummer Scream is the place to see all sorts of combinations, like Pixar meets horror and gore!
And that wraps up Midsummer Scream for 2022. Of course, the haunt season is just beginning and kicks into gear in earnest a couple Thursdays from now when Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights begins on September 8th (and Halloween season in general starts Friday, September 2nd, with Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort). There will be a plethora of spooky attractions to attend this year, including favorites like Fright Fest at Six Flags Magic Mountain, Howl-O-Scream at Sea World, Delusion, The 17th Door, Knott’s Scary Farm, the L.A. Haunted Hayride, Nights of the Jack, Haunt O’Ween, Urban Death: Tour of Terror, the Haunted Harvest, The Scream Zone, Disturbance, the Balboa Haunted Trail, The Willows, Fear Farm, Cemetery Lane, Carved at Descanso Gardens, Coffin Creek, and… well, you get the feature. Plus new haunts like SHAQTOBERFEST, Bones’ Gulch, and more! Oh, and did we mention the oodles of fantastic home haunts that shine during the latter half of October? Southern California is ridiculously blessed with haunted attractions of all types, so this fall, go out and have a spooky fun time!
Architect. Photographer. Disney nerd. Haunt enthusiast. Travel bugged. Concert fiend. Asian.
