Welcome One and All!

For all you Halloween Fanatics....this will be a review and links site of the Best Haunted Houses in the country that my wife Lisa and I have had the pleasure - or displeasure - of gracing....

I've been a *huge* Halloween and horror fan since I can remember...I dunno...it just brings the kid in me out...by the end of September, our place is suitably adorned and we await each weekend with anticipation of which haunts to hit next....

We've been blessed enough to be able to travel quite a bit around the country and see some wonderful attractions and the cities they lurk in...and we're hoping to pass on the fun we've had on to anyone willing to listen in....

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Aurora, Illinois' BASEMENT OF THE DEAD and a look at Midwest Haunter's Convention (MHC) 2013


In Memory
Richard Matheson 1926 - 2013


This month, we're heading out to Aurora, Illinois to look in on the Basement of the Dead...


The haunt is set in the bowels a 100 year old building that held Aurora's largest laundry company in the 1920s until a suspicious boiler explosion scalded and maimed the head maintenance man and his son. Both vowed revenge, and, judging from the looks of this place, I do believe they've achieved it - and their vengeance, dear listener, is upon *YOU*.



...incidentally, if you're expecting a George Romero/WALKING DEAD type scenario here, think again - this is more in line with old school haunting with a strong Metal Institution/Silent Hill influence running through it, a touch of Hellraiser, plus a dash or Killer Clowns from Outer Space as well...how's that for a mash up made in Hell?

Next time around, we're off to Mansfield, Ohio to visit that town's namesake Haunted Prison....












BTW, be very careful of the DJ here...he'll let the ladies up to spin a disc with him, but your lady may end up all tied up....

...kind of like my Lisa and her friend Kathy did...don't they just look delightful...? *evil chuckle*


....and on another entirely different note, here's a look at the ghoulish goings on at this year's MHC in Columbus, OH on it's 10th Anniversary year...




























At the HAUNTCAST Booth with Revenent, Ed Gannon, Lisa and myself....and of course, Skully lights the place up....









Pre-show arrivals with our daughter Celeste Marcus telling me to make it there on time, it seems...




Lovely Lisa becomes CREEPY LISA!!!

Haunt Rocker Jerry Vayne & I


SCREAM SHOP STUDIO owners Thomas Freeman and Gaby Simon



Our friend Stacy Rager has a run in with Michael Myers....




Daughter Celeste getting painted up for the body art contest....





Prepping for the Costume Ball...Lisa Dark Angel, indeed!
My Bad Boy Vampire self....



Hats off to Melissa Gilmore for the FANTASTIC makeups she did on Lisa and I!!!




Trying to put the bite on daughter dear Melissa...

...with our good friend Professional Haunter Ed Gannon
My dear Lisa with our dear daughter Melissa...

Ed, it seems, is on the menu....
Buddy Blood in action






Stacey Rager and daughter and friend....fiend...????....

















Daryl Dixon does not care what you think.


















With our daughter Mandi Doll at the HAUNTCAST booth
Mandi and her fiance Rob
With our daughter Celeste Marcus at the HAUNTCAST booth
More of our extended family...with son Rosha T Estell, daughters Melissa-Grim Gilmore-Toth and GinGy Nolnacs.


Like mother, like Daughter...?