FOR OUR FULL REVIEW OF MIDSUMMER SCREAM 2023, YOU CAN CLICK HERE!

Year after year, throngs of people descend up on the Long Beach Convention Center to take part in the worlds largest Halloween and Horror convention called Midsummer Scream. To put it simply for those that don’t know or haven’t heard of Midsummer Scream; it’s a safe space for people from all walks of life to celebrate what Halloween and Horror means to them. Whether that’s sitting in panels learning about the upcoming projects from their favorite horror events (Knott’s Scary Farm, Halloween Horror Nights, & Fright Fest), learning how to craft their own Halloween decorations or just dressing up in their spooky best. Each personally tailored way of celebrating is welcomed. And year after year, we sit down to discuss our experiences on our podcast or write a review giving our perspective on that years experience.

While each and every year brings new and exciting additions, changes, problems, and adjustments; one things always rings true through it all…the amount of warmth and heart. We’ve talked about this many times and even brought it up in one of most recent podcasts episodes where we chatted with Creative Director of Midsummer Scream, Rick West. That is, engrained within every fiber of what Midsummer Scream is and will always be is acceptance and love. You can feel it in every aspect of the show itself. From the Hall of Shadows, the panels, the show floor and even within the Black Cat Lounge; you know that the experience was crafted for the community by people who love this community. It makes you feel like you’re home.

While there is a familiarity that comes with Midsummer Scream, this year included something entirely new for us…the inclusion of our 4 year old Daughter. A Halloween and Horror themed convention may not seem like the perfect place for a kid, but we’d argue the opposite. Aside from being able to cover the family oriented options that MSS offers, we got to fully immerse our Daughter in the world that we love so dearly and pull back the veil for her to understand why.

Before we move forward, a small story.

From a young age, we exposed our Daughter to horror adjacent media to prime her for the experiences she would undoubtedly have at MSS in the future. This included reading Goodnight Goon, Go To Sleep Little Creep, The Haunted Mansion Golden book, or B is for Boo before bedtime! As she got older and braver, he interest in the spooky increased. She got her true taste of horror (much like her Father) with the Goosebumps TV show from the 90’s. This might have been the moment it clicked for her at a young age. But even with everything we exposed her to, meeting a truly scary monster face to face is a different experience entirely. So in our planning of MSS 2023, there was a lot of apprehension. A week prior to going to the event, we showed her a video from last years MSS by Adventurez with David. She got one good look at Mr. Floats and said…”I want to meet him” with enthusiastic glee. Of course, we are going to encourage such behavior but we truly still didn’t know how she would react when coming face to face with “Pennywise” himself.

On our first day of MSS, we waited outside anxiously for the doors to open to escape the Southern Californian sun. So far, our kiddo didn’t mind being around people in costume. But she didn’t really see anything truly scary just yet. As I watched our Daughter run around in the shade, I spotted Mr. Floats come out of the hotel adjacent to the convention center. Our Daughter, turns and looks at Mr. Floats and comes running towards me in what I thought was fear. But when she got to me, instead of hiding behind me, she pulled my hands in excitement to go meet Mr. Floats. She was ecstatic that she finally got to meet “Pennywise” in person and even got a picture. Behind the camera, I was holding back tears of a proud Father. I was so proud of her for being so brave.

Throughout the day, our Daughter encountered so many different monsters and each and every single one of them took such care with her. To make sure she was comfortable, happy, interested and entertained. I tell you this story not to just show a younglings introduction into the world of Horror and Halloween; but to show you that the season that’s mostly associated with blood, guts, and all things horrific can be the most welcoming and warm environment. That day at MSS will forever be etched in our minds and we truly don’t think it would have been possible without the care given in crafting an experience like MSS. The people that we call our “Haunt Family” welcomed our Daughter into the fold and never looked back. Even as I write these words, I have tears of gratitude welling up in my eyes for the amazing people who took such care of our Daughter in what could have been such a terrifying experience. But it turned into something that she won’t soon forget either.

Yes the massive panels revealing the lineup of attractions coming to HHN, Scary Farm, and Fright Fest are highlights. Yes the Hall of Shadows haunts are all one-of-a-kind experiences. Yes you can find anything your black heart desires on the show floor to truly let your freak flag fly high. But for us, the truly special thing about Midsummer Scream…is the people. The people are what make Midsummer Scream a truly unmissable experience here in Southern California. That is what we look forward to year after year, seeing our family as we are welcomed home.

A MASSIVE Thank you to every single one of the monsters that left such a lasting and positive impression on our Daughter while at Midsummer Scream 2023. Another big thank you to the Creative Team for having us out to cover the event and thank you to the amazing White Bats to make sure things run smoothly. You all make Midsummer Scream what it is…home.

FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING MIDSUMMER SCRAM,MAKE SURE TO VISIT THEIR WEBSITE SO YOU CAN START PLANNING NEXT YEARS TRIP!