Long Beach, California—Midsummer Scream brought horror fans, costumed characters, performers, and Halloween attractions together at the Long Beach Convention Center at 300 E Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802 from Friday, August 7, through Sunday, August 9. Presence News reporter Maria Cornejo stopped by the convention on Friday, August 7, to document the event. She was there to capture the sights, costumes, and attractions on the convention floor.
The Southern California horror convention featured elaborate displays, themed booths, and attendees dressed in a variety of horror and Halloween-inspired costumes.
Horror Characters and Convention Displays
One display featured balloon cats with large green eyes, orange inner ears, and wide smiles. This created an unusual and playful take on a horror-themed setting. Another display featured an open coffin, backdrop, and signage promoting the Los Angeles Haunted Hayride.
Attendees could also be seen wearing horror-themed shirts, Halloween clothing and costumes throughout the convention.
Among the costumed figures was a mummy alongside a woman wearing a white dress, white-painted face, dark eye makeup and simulated blood.
Other characters and performers appeared throughout the convention floor and around individual attractions.
Ghostface, the masked character associated with the Scream film franchise, was also represented at the convention. The character appeared near an area featuring horror films and other horror-related merchandise.
The convention also featured appearances connected to individual haunted attractions. The Lvcrft mascot appeared dressed as Puck Rock Skeleton outside the Lvcrft haunted house. Aunt Gladys, a character from the horror film Weapons, was also represented at the event.
Southern California Halloween Attractions
Midsummer Scream also provided a gathering place for Southern California Halloween and horror attractions to promote their upcoming events.
Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor used the tagline “Fear Lives Here,” while other attractions promoted their own Halloween experiences. Attractions represented or promoted at the convention included Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights, Knott’s Scary Farm, Six Flags Fright Fest, Los Angeles Haunted Hayride, and Queen Mary Dark Harbor.
The displays gave attendees information about different Halloween attractions and experiences planned across Southern California. This was especially true as the Halloween season approaches.
Interviews and Costumes
The convention also featured performers and entertainment professionals at booths and appearances throughout the event.
Jill Stevens appeared at the event dressed as a horror-themed cheerleader.
Voice actors Erin FitzGerald and Ogie Banks also participated in interviews.
Banks is known for his voice-acting work, including the Monster High franchise. FitzGerald has also provided voice work for Monster High.
FitzGerald was photographed making a horror-themed facial expression while dressed for the event.
For attendees, the convention combined costumes, entertainment, horror-themed displays and information about upcoming Halloween attractions.
Midsummer Scream offered a look at the Southern California horror community. Fans, performers, vendors, and Halloween attractions came together for three days at the Long Beach Convention Center.
Editor’s Disclaimer: This article is based on observations and photographs made at Midsummer Scream at the Long Beach Convention Center. Descriptions of costumes, displays, performers, characters, and attractions reflect what was observed at the event. Presence News does not endorse or promote any particular attraction, performer, film, or business mentioned in this article.
