Discover how Maan Farms in Abbotsford, Canada, transformed Halloween from a simple corn maze in 2013 into one of Canada’s largest multi-attraction events. In this episode, Farmer Amir Maan shares the family’s journey, diving into the design of their signature attractions—The Slaughterhouse, The Way Down, and Homestead—and how each offers a unique level of terror. We explore the farm’s evolution and different businesses, balancing tradition with innovation and the strategic decisions behind their Halloween event’s explosive growth. Join us to uncover the business and creativity fueling the scariest corn maze in Canada.

This week's headlines: 200+ disruptive teens cause closer of Haunted Hayride; Shanghai police crackdown on Halloween celebrations; University poll says kids should stop trick-or-treating at 13; "Insidious: The Further You Fear" to visit 80 theaters in 2025; "The House on Watch Hill" extends through November 2024; Vendor applications now open for Midsummer Scream; 8 eco-friendly ways to dispose of your pumpkin after Halloween. Read the newsletter here.

We're sharing this special from our sister podcast: Green Tagged. Get Weekly bonus episodes of Green Tagged on our Patreon. We dive into Fun.com’s costume data to see how IP-driven favorites like Ghostbusters, Beetlejuice, and Inside Out define the season, showing Halloween’s unique synergy across homes, media, and theme parks. We then delve into recent haunt visits: Scott’s behind-the-scenes look at Netherworld’s stellar operations and Philip’s trip to Dark at Fort Edmonton, exploring how the event has expanded.

Get an exclusive look into the different offerings from Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group during this presentation from Midsummer Scream! NOTE: this originally aired during Midsummer Scream, and I forgot to post this earlier!

This week: New Zombie Stunt Experience Debuts at HHN Japan; Halloween Wars: Theme Parks Are Fighting for Bigger Share of Scream Economy from The Hollywood Reporter; A Haunting in Hollis shut down by NYFD; 12-year-old boy passed away after being run over by a hay ride tractor at The Haunted Hilltop; The Sunset Strip's Afterlife Transfer Trolley; ScareHouse returns in 2024 with experiences; TransWorld's Legacy Haunt Tour is Nov 8-9; Tickets are now on sale for TransWorld's Halloween & Attractions Show. Read the stories here.

ScareHouse Windsor in Windsor, Canada, offers guests full-themed dinners before the haunt opens. For an additional charge, guests can arrive 90 mins early and enjoy a three-course themed dinner, complete with live actors, before getting expedited entry into the three haunts at Scarehouse Windsor. Today – I speak with Co-Owners Shawn Lippert and Dario Silvaggi about these dinners and how they fit into the haunted attraction. Watch my walkthrough of the dinner and haunt here.

In this episode, John Murdy, Creative Director at Universal Studios Hollywood, takes a deep dive into the design process behind two iconic mazes: 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre' and 'Universal Monsters.' Learn how these terrifying experiences come to life, from concept to creation. This episode is just the beginning of our Hauntathon, where we celebrate haunted houses every day leading up to Halloween with videos, podcasts, articles, and more! Make sure you don’t miss a thing—subscribe to our newsletter for all the latest updates.

Read the stories here. This week's Headlines: Hush Haunted Attraction expands live entertainment; Fright Fest Extreme Plagued by Delayed Openings; Kings Dominion brawl described as "mass chaos" by Sheriff's Office; Peacock TV & Blumhouse debut "Overnightmare" at Stanley Hotel; EverHaunt opens Oct 5th with new experiences; Uber & Spirit Halloween partner; Ring's Great Ghost Search offers a $100,000 grand prize; Anaheim Beautiful seeks entrance for home decorating contest; Lvcrft releases "Halloween Hop" single; Creep I.E. Con returns January 31st - February 2nd, 2025.

Read the full stories here. Woods Of Terror opens largest expansion; IAAPA's Quarterly Outlook Survey; Knott's Scary Farm opens two new mazes; Dark Nights at Hersheypark creates a well-balanced Halloween Experience for all ages; The Haunted Trail of Balboa Park returns September 27th; Midnight Terror Haunted House's 10th anniversary; Cannabis Maze debuting at Fear at the Farm; Busch Gardens Williamsburg's new chaperone policy following a large fight and stabbing the first two weekends of Howl-O-Scream; The Dent Schoolhouse's chaperone policy; Movie Park Germany adds "A Quiet Place: Stay Quiet, Stay Alive"; Costume trend predictions for the 2024 Halloween season.

Read the full stories here. Dark Nights at Hersheypark opened this past weekend - featuring 5 haunts and 3 scare zones; Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens Williamsburg has seen two incidents over the past two weekends: a large altercation in its opening weekend and a stabbing this past Saturday; The Haunted Attraction Association names their 50 "Top Haunts" of 2024; Embrace your inner cat-lady with this year's New York City Village Halloween Parade theme - "Meow!"; Portals of Fear Haunted Attraction will not operate during the 2024 Halloween season due to an "unforeseen real estate logistical issue"; Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary returns with a new immersive-theater-style experience; Toms River Halloween Parade celebrates its 85th annual event this Halloween; The Haunt in Atascadero celebrates its 10th anniversary with "Dr. Frankenstein's Monsters"; Haunted Little Tokyo returns to Los Angeles for its 7th annual block party on October 26th; Explore the history of the "birthplace of Halloween" with Tourism Ireland's new tourism campaign, "Home of Halloween"; Maan Farms' The Scariest Corn Maze in Canada returns select dates September 27th - November 3rd; The official trailer has been released for "Haunt Season", a horror movie filmed at Realm of Terror haunted attraction; Home haunter Marianna Peters was contacted by her local city council after neighbors complained that August was too early for Halloween decorations; A yard display by home haunter Bill Pyles gives comfort to a cancer survivor; The Glen Falls Collaborative announces their annual Halloween House Competition for local residents and businesses.