Description: For 26 years, Field of Screams MT has been a staple of Montana’s Halloween scene, growing from a simple corn maze into a multi-attraction haunted destination. This year, they received the Legacy Haunt Award from the Haunted Attraction Association, honoring their decades of innovation and impact. In this episode, we sit down with the Kirkland family for an unedited, free-flowing conversation about their journey, the evolution of their haunt, and what keeps them scaring year after year. Support for this episode comes from Gantom Lighting and Controls. See what you’re missing with a free demo. Subscribe to everything from the Haunted Attraction Network here.

The 2025 OSCARES Awards celebrated the top vendors, haunts, and industry leaders during TransWorld’s Halloween & Attractions Show in St. Louis. As producers of this year’s ceremony, we had a front-row seat to the energy and excitement, from the debut of the Spirit of Leadership Award to the Lifetime Achievement honor for Timothy Gavinski. This episode features the FULL, UNEDITED recording of the ceremony, so you can experience every acceptance speech, surprise moment, and industry recognition. Read more about the OSCARES here. Support for this episode comes from Gantom Lighting and Controls. See what you’re missing with a free demo. Subscribe to everything from the Haunted Attraction Network here.

Held annually at TransWorld’s Halloween & Attractions Show, the State of the Industry Seminar brings together HAA board members, haunt owners, operators, and vendors for a candid look at the past season and the challenges ahead. Moderated by newly seated President Jim Werner (PennHurst Asylum) and outgoing President Spencer Terry (Fear Factory), this year’s discussion focused heavily on the insurance crisis, the future of CHAOS safety training, and expanding resources (including AI) to help members. Read our full recap here.

This week: Universal's Horror Unleashed Opens Aug 14; The Haunt Industry will gather in St Louis this week for the world's largest Halloween Trade Show; Highlights from IAAPA's Middle East Trade Summit; "Alien: Earth" invades SXSW with an immersive pop-up experience; Spirit Halloween reaches $1 Million milestone in donations; Read the stories here.

This week: Universal Fan Fest Nights tests if guests will pay for hard-tickets outside of Halloween; Tokyo Disney’s Halloween investment; Disney’s pricing power is strong, but how high can prices go before guests push back?; HAA Annual Meeting & OSCARES; TransWorld’s free seminars; Netflix Bites in Vegas serves horror-inspired dishes. Read the news here.

This week: 88 Haunts Open Nationwide This Weekend for Valentines; Disney Struggles to Impress Wall Street; Tokyo Disneyland Leans into Halloween; Spooky Swap Meet Tickets;
TransWorld's Halloween & Attractions Show Updates; Haunted Attraction Association's C.H.A.O.S. recertification program. Read all the stories here. 87HnXoDKm1F1jwRJbbTj

This week: 95 Valentine Haunts Opening this Month; Ed Roberts (West Coast Halloween Con; Nightmare Factory) passes; Insidious: The Further You Fear cancels tour; John Carpenter announces 4-night residency in Los Angeles; Tickets on sale for Universal Fan Fest Nights; 2025 expected to see growth in the Halloween retail industry; Transworld Updates. Read the news here.

This Week's News: Halloween Horror Nights Orlando Returns Aug 29; Six Flags Live Entertainment Open Casting; NEW Details: "Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After"; "Insidious: The Further You Fear" theatrical experience begins; CreepIE Con is this weekend; SCARECON returns May 20th - 21st; TransWorld's Halloween & Attractions Show adds an evening networking lounge at the Marriott hotel; Haunted Attraction Association board member nominations; "The Fright Stuff" documentary from Zombie Army Productions and Yokai Films to premiere at TransWorld. Read the full stories here.

This week: Disneyland's new ghost bride; A woman goes to court over her year-round skeleton display; Fear Fest Haunted Attractions given a rating of "F" by the Better Business Bureau; Derry Halloween's "Awaken the Walls" will remain free; Dark Universe Construction Updates from Attractions Magazine; Halloween & Costume Association announces inaugural Spooky Awards winners. Read the articles here.

Read the full stories here. This week's headlines: Sony Debuts "The Last of Us" proof-of-concept at CES; Updated Valentine's Day Haunt List; Salem adjusts safety plans for Halloween festivities; Former Haunted House of Wax to become a food hall; Vendor & haunt applications open for Spooky Swap Meet; Home Haunter Awards; Haunt Education Sessions.