Local events & attractions, vacation destinations, theme parks and other things to do in Arizona, Southern California and Las Vegas. Articles and reviews on all kinds of entertainment, from comic book collecting, haunted houses & escape rooms to family vacations to Disneyland, Universal Studios & more.
Vertuccio Farms is excited to debut its first Annual Christmas Lights at the Farm Celebration, open November 23, 2018 - January 11 2019.
This awe inspiring Christmas light show Stretches out over 10 acres. Visitors will be greeted by the captivating sight of over 2 million glimmering lights, displayed and synchronized to a variety of Christmas music.
This Christmas wonderland consists of illuminated walking trails, a 30ft Christmas tree and a twinkling barnyard animal display with many festive photo opportunities to capture memories.
There is also an ice skating rink, food and drink!
Santa will be on site from December 15th through the 23rd.
This family-friendly experience will bring excitement and joy to the whole family, begin a new Christmas tradition at Vertuccio Farms.
For more information, discount days, and special offers, visit vertucciofarms.com.
HOURS:
● SUNDAY-THURSDAY 5pm-9pm for Farm Lights Show
● FRIDAY-SATURDAY: 5pm-10pm for Farm Lights Show
● DATES CLOSED: December 24th, 25th, 31st 2018 and January 1st 2019
COST:
● SUNDAY-THURSDAY $15 per person ages 2 yrs and under free
● FRIDAY-SATURDAY $18 per person ages 2 yrs and under free
● Skating daily $13. Includes ice-skate rental.
These special holographic lenses transform normal Christmas lights into visions of candy canes, Santa, snowflakes, gingerbread men, elves, reindeer, snowmen, and more. You simply look through the holographic lenses of the Holiday Specs glasses at any point of light and a beautiful holiday image appears.
HOLIDAY SPECS 3D Christmas Glasses are festively printed and inexpensive, making them a great stocking stuffer or party favor.
Looking to have fun year round? American Paper Optics has a great line of products including:
3D Fireworks Glasses that break light into amazing rainbow bursts. Great for New Year's Eve and July 4th.
Spooky Specs 3D Glasses (Bats, skulls, jack-o-lanterns) make great Trick or Treat gifts.
AMERICAN PAPER OPTICS can also help your business by making glasses that turn points of light into your company logo and can be used to promote your business the same way keychains, magnets or pens are.
Every Halloween a frightening transformation sweeps the nation with haunted houses, mazes and hayrides popping up everywhere. If you dare, check out these Halloween attractions for lots of terrifying thrills.
Dread Hollow is a unique attraction that adds a new level of fear to the traditional haunted house. Dread Hollow appears to be like any other unassuming small town, but visitors are unaware of what truly lies within: 20,000 square feet of pure terror.
For 27 years, the Haunted Hayride at Arasapha Farm has been scaring its visitors! The special effects and superb acting at the Bates Motel will take you to a different level of terror. The Hayride has been featured as the Number 1 Haunted Attraction in America by Hauntworld Magazine.
If you like Haunted Hayrides, check out the one at Fear Farm in Glendale, AZ.
Or visit the Bates Motel at Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood at at Universal Studios, CA.
The Ghoullog
Address: 1 Skimobile Rd, North Conway, NH 03860 Website:The Ghoullog
The crew behind The Ghouldog are committed to giving their visitors a most terrifying experience. The approximate 50 minute haunt features over 15,000 square feet of indoor space through a series of dark rooms and scary mazes. Plus an outdoor element which leads through the dark woods . with plenty of scares and screams.
By the same people who bring you Scarizona in Mesa, AZ. Fear Overload is noted as being the best Haunted House Bay Area attractions and was voted as one of the scariest attractions in California. The Scream Park features two haunted houses full of monstrous creatures.
Knott’s Scary Farm
Address: 8039 Beach Boulevard, Buena Park CA 90620
Knott’s Scary Farm is the largest and most haunting Halloween experience in Southern California, the fully transformed theme park features unique haunted mazes and attractions, sinister shows and more than 1,000 horrifying creatures lurking in the fog and hiding in every corner of the park.
Fright Dome
Fright Dome 2018 will not be hosted by Circus Circus Las Vegas this year.
"Circus Circus has informed Egan Productions that it will not move forward with Fright Dome for 2018. While we regret this bad news, we are grateful to the people of Las Vegas for supporting Fright Dome over the past fifteen years. We look forward to many successful Halloween events in the future."
-Egan Productions
Dark Harbor
Address: 1126 Queens Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90802
The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor annual Halloween haunt, features 6 haunted mazes, a 4D theater experience, immersive attractions and live entertainment including hundreds of monsters. As an added bonus, the place is truly haunted: Time Magazine has named Queen Mary as one of the “Top 10 most haunted places on Earth”.
The RavenHearse Family Classic Haunt
Address: 6541 E Tanque Verde Rd, Tucson, AZ 85715
One of the only haunted house attractions open year round. They offer a unique experience (Green, Yellow, Orange and Red Tours), different from the normal commercial haunted house attractions. Additionally, they cater a haunting experience to the needs of sensitive children or children with disabilities by having opted out of using smoke machines or strobe lights.
Check out their Halloween Tour starting September 28th 'Into the Shadows and Into the Dark'.
Dent Schoolhouse
Address: 5963 Harrison Ave, Cincinnati OH 45248 Website:Dent Schoolhouse
Like the Queen Mary, this is a real haunted location. In 1894 the Dent Public School was open, but in 1942 several students, mysteriously vanished. In 1945, 1952 and 1955, more students went missing. After students began to complain about strange smells, the basement was found covered with the decaying remains of the missing students. They were killed by Charlie, the janitor. This place sure knows how to make the place even more haunted.
Chris Birkett's Haunted Graveyard, began as a small display in 1986, starting out with only a pumpkin patch and a few gravestones.
In 2001, Chris Birkett and his cousin Shawn Silberblatt increased the display and designed "The Haunted Graveyard presents Halloween Town" based on Halloween Town from the movie "The Nightmare before Christmas” directed by Tim Burton.
Since then it has become a free to the public, 13 minute long Haunted House, with 26 scare actors and has approx 3000 visitors a night.
It is a five (5) night event from October 27th - 31st, 2018 and runs from 06:30 PM to 10:00 PM.
It runs on donations and as it takes a lot of time, energy and commitment to make things like this happen, there is a suggested donation of at least $5.
Live Pumpkin Carving
October 19th – 28th, 2018, Daily from 10:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.
Family Pumpkin Carving Nights
Wednesday, October 24th and Thursday, October 25th from 6:00–8:00 p.m. Desert Foothills YMCA presents Family Carving Nights at the Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion Main Stage. Additional fees apply; advance reservations suggested as space is limited.
Enchanted Pumpkin Beer Garden
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m.–9 p.m.
Sponsored by Four Peaks Brewery at the Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion Main Stage and Historic Spanish Village.
Harvest Market
Fridays–Saturdays, 10:00 a.m.– 7:00 p.m. and Sundays 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
The market will feature a variety of vendors offering Halloween trinkets and be located along Ho Hum Road and Easy Street.
Costume Contests
Join the annual Costume Contests, held on the Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion Main Stage. On Saturday, Oct. 27th.
Kids Contest at 2:00 p.m.,
Family/Group Contest at 3:00 p.m. (note: costumes need a unifying theme in this category)
Adults Contest at 4:00 p.m.
Haunted Happenings Area
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.
Prepare for a frightfully good time at the Haunted Happenings area located in Historic Spanish Village. With family friendly activities for kids between ages 3-8 years old! The $5 admission gets you access to all activities, including an inflatable Corn Maze and Bouncy House, a Petting Zoo and Pony Rides, a spooktacular Haunted House, Face Painting and Kid’s Arts and Crafts.
Gourmet Food Trucks
Munch Box AZ (gourmet grilled cheese)
Tom’s BBQ Pig Rig (Chicago-style BBQ)
Cousin’s Maine Lobster (gourmet Maine lobster creations)
About Ray Villafane
With a workshop and gallery based in Arizona, Ray Villafane is an internationally acclaimed sculptor who fashions exceptional figures and scenes out of pumpkins, sand and snow. He holds two entries in the Guinness Book of World Records. He’s also known for Food Network’s Outrageous Pumpkins competitions, which he won in 2008, 2009 and 2010. For information about Ray Villafane and Villafane Studios, visit Villafanestudios.com.
If you follow Fear Farm's Facebook page, you will continue to see notices posted this season "Fear Farm is closed tonight" due to weather.
Unlike the last few years where a general admission ticket was useable for any date and time the event was open, this year you are restricted to the date and time on your ticket and the website states "Tickets are valid only for the date you reserve. Should you fail to show up for your reserved date, your tickets will no longer be accepted. There are NO REFUNDS or exchanges of any kind.". I immediately saw this as a mistake on their part this year and felt it would create problems for their customers.
Shortly after reading that notice and purchasing tickets myself, over $530 worth. These tickets ended up being for a date which I was no longer able to attend (due to an emergency surgery in the family) and after contacting Fear Farm I was met with the response "Give them to a friend: and "Sorry that is our policy". Not much understanding at all from Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group's customer service team.
Well now the tables have turned and Fear Farm finds itself unable to operate or operate fully due to weather for a decent portion of the nights it sold advanced tickets. Some of these dates include October 4th, 7th, 13th and 14th. Additionally they have had to close one (1) haunted maze and so are only running 4 of the 5, as well as having closed the Haunted Hayride a number of additional nights.
They have posted "If you have any questions or have purchased tickets for tonight, Please contact: info@fearfarm.com". I am interested in knowing how they are responding to customers now? I expect they are expecting compassion and consideration in modifying ticket dates now that the issue affects them.
This was not meant to be a rant, as much as it was meant to be advice to Fear Farm and Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group that General Admission should mean General Admission and should be good any date and time the event is operating. This would save customers like me hundreds of dollars if an emergent situation arises and surely would have saved their customer service a lot of man hours on resolving the issue of their closures.
I do see the the need for Fast Pass and Skip the Line tickets to be reservation date/time based because they should only be sold in limited quantities and so Fear Farm would still have to satisfy these customers due to these weather based conditions, but I also think pre-purchased tickets should be available for date/time adjustment by customers do to personal issues resulting in inability to use on original date. In short "There are NO REFUNDS or exchanges of any kind." is a bad policy, especially when it is clear both vendor and customer may have need for compromise.
Here are some comments on their Facebook from customers with similar concerns:
Please email us back ASAP. I think you all should have proactively refunded tickets automatically after deciding to close for the night. We shouldn’t have to email and wait for a response.
I don't live here, specifically bought tickets for fear farm as well as hotel near.. I emailed and was told I would get a refund if rain closure, as I saw weather reports several days ago. This is my daughters 18th b day and I sit here in a hotel room I couldn't cancel anymore and they seem to only respond and want to exchange tickets... :/ how am I supposed to come another day..I don't live here. Spent almost 400$ on tickets. None of us live here, we came here specifically for this. No rain in sight.
This was the worst year yet! Not worth 10 bucks a ticket let alone 50 a piece. Not all the attractions we open, people smoking inside the houses and the actors were very young kids laughing mostly. Defiantly NOT scary and total waste of time and money.
My two Cents:
Now onto the actual Fear Farm Review... Yes, I purchased a ticket and went anyway to provide a review.
Admission varies based on date: $27.99, $29.99 & $33.99 (tax not included), last years rates were $26.99, $29.99 & $33.99, so price has increased slightly for the lowest cost ticket. Prices are up to $5 more at the door.
If the weather permits the Phoenix Haunted Hayride can be added for an additional $10. This is nighttime ride through the cornfields in a trailer of loose hay being pulled by a tractor while experiencing a themed haunt. This generally is the part of this Haunted Attraction that makes it worth going to for me, since the 13th Floor is actually a better haunted house in my opinion. However the hayride was closed when I went this year and I am unsure what the theme is.
Additionally Legends: The Witch was closed due to flooded fields as well. They did say you could go through one of the other Haunted Houses twice, but not sure that is an equal value in replacement, at least to me it isn't. There should have been a 20% refund maybe even as a food voucher or game voucher.
Fallout replaced the Clown Haunted Maze, which is good because who wants to see the same thing year after year. I like seeing when venues implement changes. I also think this was one of the best.
Slaughterhouse is basically strobelights and chain saws, nothing spectacular and my least favorite. I say it every year about most every Haunted Attraction, "chain saws are not scary, just loud and smelly", especially in enclosed spaces.
Undead and The Bunker: Area Xare the other two Haunted Houses this year. They appeared to be modified slightly as the corn fields were flooded, which also was a nice change.
The scenes and props are decent, where the fear lacks at The Farm is in the scare actors who pretty much stand in a corner screaming at you, rather than hide and jump scare you. Also this year seemed to be lacking in scare actors (hiring events must have had less turn out than usual) some rooms had no one in them at all. The scariest Monster Award this year goes to The Weather.
Increase your cost vs value by not spending the money on front of the line tickets (Fast Pass and Skip the Line), as there are separate lines for each of the 5 four (4) houses, which reduces wait time especially if you pick the order based on the length of the line.
One advantage over The 13th Floor is food vendors. Between food vendors and a few carnival style games (extra cost) like Zombie Brain Toss, you are able to hang out and enjoy all the scaredy cats running around screaming.
All in all what is normally an average attraction was disappointing due to closures and customer service policies and you may look to try something else in town! Here are some other local Haunted Attractions.
Every Thursday through Sunday during the month of October its Pumpkin and Chili party time at Schnepf Farms.
Admission includes hayrides, the petting zoo, carousel rides, miniature golf, four-acre and 10-acre corn mazes and more.
Food, pumpkins and tickets to ride the train are available for an additional cost.
There is a lot to see and do: pig races, extreme canines stunt dog shows, the pumpkin patch, hay rides, rides on the farm train, rides on the Swingin Ladybugz, a 4-acre corn maze, Stuntmasters BMX show, fresh goodies from the farm bakery, eats from the Farm Cafe, and lots more, including the chillies.
Every Thursday – Sunday from October 4 – October 28 Thursdays 10am-9pm Fridays & Saturdays 10am-10pm Sundays 10am – 9pm
Where: 24610 E Rittenhouse Rd, Queen Creek, AZ 85142 Contact: 480-987-3100
Cost: $20 admission per person at the gate. Children 2 and under free.
Discount Tickets: available at all FRY’S Food Stores for $15.00.
SRP Thrifty Thursdays: Salt River Project is sponsoring 2-for-1 admission to the event every Thursday in October from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Print your coupon here.
Military will get FREE admission October 4th-7th, October 11th-14th, October 25th-29th. All others in your family, will need discount tickets from Fry's or the above SRP coupon on Thursdays.
Police will get FREE admission October 11-14. All others in your family, will need discount tickets from Fry's or the above SRP coupon on Thursdays.
Firefighters will get FREE admission October 25-28. All others in your family, will need discount tickets from Fry's or the above SRP coupon on Thursdays.
Grandparents get BOGO every Friday, if you are a grandparent, show a photo of your grandchild and you can buy one ticket and get a 2nd person in for FREE!
My Two Cents:
Between admission, food and the Spooky Train ride, costs can add up fast. It is a fun family friendly event, but to maximize cost vs value, I urge you to take advantage of some of the above discounted admission rates. For more detail on costs and what is included and not included in admission, see last years post ---> Pumpkin and Chili Festival.
Saturday, Sept 29, 2018 - Event hours are 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
What is a Haunted Swap Meet? Think giant multi-person yard sale with a Halloween theme.
Expected to have over 50 tables and booths selling everything from custom crafted items, old props and costumes to Halloween themed trinkets. Definitely something for anyone looking for a deal on Halloween items and decorations.
It's an opportunity for commercial sellers and Halloween enthusiasts to buy, sell or trade props, costumes, decorations, and other Halloween oriented stuff.
If you are a Halloween Enthusiast anywhere near Phoenix, AZ, you should Check it out.
Free admission - No restroom facilities.
Looking forward to seeing everyone getting some great stuff!
Event hours are 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM Saturday, Sept 29, 2018.
There are also makeup demonstrations, prop building workshops, and a few other extras for those interested in more than just buying cool stuff.
- Kaos Funeral Cars will have 9 custom hearses for viewing.
This event is being held in the Phoenix College parking lot on 15th Avenue North of Thomas in Phoenix, AZ. There will be plenty of room for vendors and plenty of room for parking.
Happy Halloween!
If you want to help plan and organize, volunteer at AZHaunters.com.
"Yard Sale" type tables will be assigned areas as the sellers arrive. However, if you do not pre-register, you will not be allowed to set up.
If you have a business and want to sell
DEADLINE IS AUG 31
Contact AZHaunters, to get the vendor agreement outlining the terms.
PM AZHaunters with your info:
Real Name
Business Name
Business page
Description of what you sell
Email
Contact phone number.
Setup is from 8AM to 9AM the day of the event. At 9 AM the event opens and no one may set up after that.
If you DO NOT have a business
To sell your Halloween related items at the Swap meet, You must be a member at www.AZHaunters.com. Message AZHaunters with your:
AZHaunters.com login name
Real Name
Email
Contact phone number
Be sure to mention you are NOT selling as a business
Setup is from 8AM to 9AM the day of the event. At 9 AM the event opens and no one may set up after that.
DARK HARBOR - September 27, 2018 - November 2, 2018
Dark Harbor is the Queen Mary’s annual Halloween haunt featuring 6 haunted mazes, a 4D theater experience, immersive attractions and live entertainment including hundreds of monsters.
A Darkness descends upon the Harbor in Long Beach, CA at the haunted Ship, Queen Mary. Starting September 27th, 2018. The Ringmaster's corrupt control of over 200 wicked monsters has them emerging from the darkness to inflict her will upon those brave enough enter the gates.
You'll have 23 nights, over 5 weeks to experience terror: September 27th – November 2nd, New mazes, nightly live entertainment, and haunted bars bring you an immersive experience.
Time Magazine has named Queen Mary as one of the “Top 10 most haunted places on Earth”. So you will be mixing theatrical encounters of the event with the possibility of a truly ghostly experience.
General Admission
Admission includes six terrorizing mazes and access to the nightly shows. Prices vary by date, but start at $29 Pre-Sale Online. Upgrades available.
Tickets on salenow! Use promo code EARLYRISER for 30% off before August 31st.
If You Dare and stay aboard the Queen Mary during Dark Harbor Halloween event!
Stateroom B340 has a number of recorded paranormal activity with many stories of ghostly encounters noted, reports of Haunted Encounters date as far back as the final ocean voyage in 1967. These accounts include guests claims of someone knocking on the door in the middle of the night, bathroom lights turning on by themselves, faucets turning on and off on their own, and bathroom doors shutting. Some guests have even reported the blankets of their bed being pulled off while sleeping and waking to see a dark figure.
Use promo code NIGHT for rates starting at $85/night*
Valid online only at Queenmary.com
Valid Sunday - Thursday, September 27 - November 2, 2018
*While availability lasts
Address: 1126 Queens Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90802
For additional haunting information see their FAQS page.
Residents of Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale and Glendale here are some of the local area haunted houses for 2018. Prepare to enjoy some frightful fun this Halloween season with Haunts like corn mazes, Halloween hayrides and haunted houses.
* Jack and Jill’s Haunted Hill in Phoenix, AZ
Address: 3401 W Greenway Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85053
Now entering it’s 8th Halloween Season, Jack and Jill’s Haunted Hill operate from Noon until 5PM a family friendly attraction.
Then as night falls, Jack and Jill’s relies on their live and story driven cast to play on your fears. Originally a ‘home haunt’ turned commercial, Jack and Jill’s refuses to let go of its underground roots in its attempts to scare. BUY TICKETS HERE
Stop by early and experience the 100,000 square foot building that offers BLACK LIGHT Go Karting, Video Game Arcade, Pool Tables, Dance Floor and Full Service Bar and .
Haunt visitors that wear costumes, can trick or treat the haunted hill! There will be candy given out at the front desk, when you check in with creepy Grandpa, and at the entrance to the mine.
* Sanctum of Horror in Mesa, AZ
Address: 6555 East Southern Avenue Mesa, AZ 85206
Sanctum of Horror is a breeding ground of fear and evil. Those who enter succumb to madnes, including Lenore. Enter the mind of Lenore as you experience the memories of her violent past and navigate her childhood home to witness the brutal murders of her family. If you survive you can make your way through an ancient graveyard filled with the undead and arrive at St. Charlotte Asylum. Be warned the inmates have taken over the compound and the only way out is through Lenore’s cell. Get your $2 discount coupon here.
They are also sponsoring the 2018 Haunted Swap Meet organized by AZHaunters.com
*Scarizona Scaregrounds in Scottsdale, AZ
Address: 1901 N Alma School Rd, Mesa, AZ 85201
Phone: (480) 444-2590
Scarizona Screampark features three terrifying houses of terror: Startled Darkness, Slayer’s Slaughter House, Epic Fear.
There is also an interactive paintball event to take a shot at killing zombies in Operation Zombie Storm.
* Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group Presents The 13th Floor Haunted House Phoenix AZ
Address: 2814 W Bell Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85053
Phone: (602) 456-2250 Last Year's Review
In the United States, the number 13 is considered unlucky and building owners will sometimes purposefully omit a floor numbered 13. However here in Phoenix, you can step inside one of these forbidden floors. Step inside, take a ride on the elevator and get off at the 13th Floor.
This Haunted Attraction is one of the largest haunted house in Phoenix. There are two haunted attractions in this huge 60,000 square foot building. The first is your trip through the 13th floor of a building and the second scary attraction is The Frenzy Haunted House where you experience a zombie apocalypse.
The two attractions are combined for one price with various upgrade options available. BUY TICKETS HERE There are NO REFUNDS or exchanges of any kind.
* Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group Presents Fear Farm Haunted House Phoenix AZ
Address: 2209 N 99th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85037
Phone: (623) 866-5378 Last Year's Review
Fear Farm is 26 acres with 4 haunted maze attractions and a separate corn maze for a combined price with various upgrade options available. They also have a Haunted Hay Ride, which is $10 extra. BUY TICKETS HERE There are NO REFUNDS or exchanges of any kind.
*The Crypt Haunted Attractions - Mesa, AZ
Address: 1445 W Southern Ave, Mesa, AZ 85202
Phone: (480) 332-8095
Located just off US 60 in the Fiesta Mall parking lot is The Crypt which also features The Asylum and Chaos Mazes.
All 3 attractions $25 Get your $3 off coupon for a discount on the Ultimate Fright Pass, also available: Military Discount to all active and military veterans.
* Tolmachoff Farms presents AZ Field of Screams in Glendale, AZ
Address: 5726 N 75th Ave, Glendale, AZ 85303
Phone: (602) 999-3276
Open every Friday and Saturday night starting October 6th and on Halloween. Walk through a dark Haunted corn maze with new spine chilling scenes every year. For the added haunt, arrive with the knowledge that the corn field that was planted over an old forgotten cemetery. Tickets are $20 and the Haunted Attraction is open from 7 pm until 11 pm.
Tolmachoff farms also has a pumpkin patch and other farm activities during the day.
One of the only haunted house attractions open year round. They offer a unique experience (Green, Yellow, Orange and Red Tours), different from the normal commercial haunted house attractions. Additionally, they cater a haunting experience to the needs of sensitive children or children with disabilities by having opted out of using smoke machines or strobe lights.
Check out their Halloween Tour starting September 28th 'Into the Shadows and Into the Dark'.
* Golfland Sunsplash Presents Golfland Fright Nights in Mesa, AZ
Address: 155 W Hampton Ave, Mesa, AZ 85210
Phone: (480) 834-8319
THE GAUNTLET WILL BE CLOSED IN 2018 DUE TO SOME TEMPORARY CHANGES AT GOLFLAND-SUNSPLASH, THE HAUNTED HOUSE WILL NOT BE OPERATING. THE GAUNTLET WILL RETURN IN 2019!
SPOOKTACULAR GOLF, A FAMILY FRIENDLY HALLOWEEN EVENT WILL STILL BE HELD NIGHTLY IN OCTOBER.
18-hole mini golf course is full of spooky decorations, Spooktacular Golf is fun for the whole family. Admission is the standard golf rate: Adults: $9.99/Kids: $7.99
This Labor Day Weekend: September 1st, 2nd and 3rd, 2018
Activities will include Free street entertainment and gunfight skits from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Come in your best Gunslinger or Saloon Lady attire, because there is an 1880's costume contest on Sunday 9/2/18 around 1:00 PM following the Showdown at Territorial Days Parade.
While you are enjoying the festivities you can be hung or have some hung at the Hanging scaffold, makes a great photo memory oppurtunity.
They will also be raffling off a single .44 caliber black power pistol and display case. Tickets will be on sale for $1.00 or 6 chances for $5.00. The drawing will be held about 3:30 PM on Monday September 3rd.
For more information and a schedule of events, visit the Tombstone Vigilantes website.
Every October since 2003, the Adventuredome Theme Park has changed into Fright Dome, a Halloween-themed theme park.
However this longtime Halloween tradition will not be happening at Circus Circus Hotel & Resort Casino this year. Sadly it will not happen at all this year.
Circus Circus has not released a reason.
Egan Productions, which produces the Fright Dome event, did release a statement that ultimately gives hope of finding a new venue for the 2019 Halloween Season: "We look forward to many successful Halloween events in the future.".
"Circus Circus has informed Egan Productions that it will not move forward with Fright Dome for 2018. While we regret this bad news, we are grateful to the people of Las Vegas for supporting Fright Dome over the past fifteen years. We look forward to many successful Halloween events in the future."
-Egan Productions
The RavenHearse Family Classic Haunt in Tucson, AZ is one of the only haunted house attractions open year round.
They offer a unique experience, different from the normal commercial haunted house attractions. They use actual haunted artifacts and your imagination, along with excellent theatrical storytelling to offer a different scare level to accommodate guests of all ages.
No Blood, No Guts, just psychological horror though an amazing labyrinth, including back stories about each haunted item. As you get wrapped up in the stories and interactions you never really see the scares coming.
Additionally, they cater a haunting experience to the needs of sensitive children or children with disabilities by having opted out of using smoke machines or strobe lights.
The theme changes constantly with the season and occasional addition of new haunted artifacts and props. Truly a place to face some of the things that play on most peoples' fears, including live giant spiders and a real human hand.
RavenHearse accepts cash, Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover cards at the door. Admission rates vary per each activity or event.
Check out their events calendar or call before 2pm for details (520) 370-5472
General Haunt tour admission - general haunt Tours take 15 to 20 minutes $5.00 - Green Tours - Kid Friendly Scares $6:00 - Yellow Tours - Semi Scary $6.00 - Orange Tours - Scary with a safe word $7.00 - Red tours - Scary with no escape Children under 3 yrs old are FREE
DARK TOUR ADMISSION - Dark Tour takes 45*60 minutes and are the last tour of the night
$10.00 per person
MIDNIGHT DARK TOUR Admission - Reservation required with minimum group size 8 people
$13.00 PER PERSON
Address: 6541 E Tanque Verde Rd, Tucson, AZ 85715
My two Cents
Me and my family partook in two of the Friday the 13th tours. The Red tour and the Dark Tour on Friday, July 13th, 2018. This Special tour was a flashlight guided tour by the Family Patriarch, Greivsley RavenHearse. The Red tour included things that go bump in the night and the Dark Tour included additional interesting stories and histories of some of our Haunted Treasures and Artifacts. The way the host interacted with us was great and the unexpected was at times scary, but always fun. Everyone in the group from age 13-62, had a great time. For the cost, it is really a great time and we will be back for other events like photo ops with Krampus for Christmas or Skeeter Rotten Tail in the Spring.
Station Casinos began charging resort fees in 2004. In 2008, MGM Resorts began charging resort fees. In 2013, Caesars Entertainment followed. These fees started out small, but over time have risen along with room rates.
Then starting in 2016 many Strip casinos decided to charge for parking. Prices in Las Vegas, especially on the Strip, are higher than ever. Charging for parking on top of the resort fees and deteriorating game odds has resulted in angry customers.
According to MGM’s 2017 4th quarter report, both slot play and room occupancy fell slightly in 2017 This was the company’s first full year with pay to park. Revenues in some areas increased, but overall visitation to Las Vegas fell 1.6%. While many Resort and Casinos have reported increases in total income, it seems that paid parking is not inspiring people to visit Las Vegas.
In Downtown Las Vegas, just about everywhere you park can be free with validation. On the Strip, the common visitor is more likely to pay as you generally need casino elite player status to avoid parking charges.
Recently, two Las Vegas Strip Resort and Casinos are listening to their patrons. Wynn Resorts announced a change to their parking policy (for Wynn & Encore) effective July 1, 2018. They’ll be the first casinos on the Strip to allow guests to offset parking fees. Those who spend $50 in the casino will have their parking comped. Free parking has also been added to both casinos’ $39 resort fee, meaning that hotel guests will now be exempt from parking fees.
Wynn Resorts' change to parking policy is the first sign that the people are being heard. If validating parking has a positive impact on visitation and spending, MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment will likely consider following suit.
Allowing parking validation might make less money directly from parking, but if waiving a parking fee brings a customer in to spend more on a meal or gambling, it’s hard to see it not becoming the trend.
As of this writing, properties like Treasure Island, Venetian, Palazzo and even the Fashion Show Mall all have free parking.
Travel to Elizabethan England and an old world adventure at the beautifully wooded Camp Richardson in South Lake Tahoe, CA.
The 2018 Valhalla Renaissance Faire features four stages of action packed shows and entertainment including: storytelling, music, dancing, jesters and expertly staged battles. Also 800 costumed actors, archery tournaments and much more.
Shop over 100 merchants selling arts and crafts ranging from jewelry items, woodcrafts, artwork, ceramics, clothing, leather goods and historic weapons.
Fun & excitement for the whole family! Valhalla Renaissance Faire draws over 13,000 people to South Lake Tahoe.
Fill your senses with the sights, sounds, tastes and feel of the 16th Century:
June 2-3 & June 9-10 2018
1900 Jameson Beach Road
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Like their official facebook page for updates and giveaways!
Admission:
$16 for Adult
$12 for seniors, military and teens (13-17)
$8 for children 6-12
Free for Children 5 and under
Come in costume or come as you are, but be a part of history and immerse yourself in games, theater in this Renaissance village and marketplace.
They are in the process of adding vendors, stage acts and guilds to the line up, if interested please visit www.renregister.com and submit your application.
Wet n’ Wild, the largest waterpark in Arizona, was part of a deal announced, where the Dallas, Texas based Six Flags Entertainment Corp. (NYSE: SIX) entered into a purchase agreement with affiliates of Premier Parks LLC to acquire the lease rights to operate the water park.
The acquisition makes Six Flags the largest North American waterpark operator. Four other properties were included in the deal:
Wet n’ Wild Splashtown: Houston’s largest waterpark
Darien Lake: near Buffalo, New York which includes 1,000-acre with theme park, waterpark, campground, hotel and amphitheater
Frontier City: An Oklahoma City theme park
White Water Bay: also near Oklahoma City, with 24 acres of water attractions
In addition to the new name, Hurricane Harbor is being renovated with a Caribbean theme, more seating and an updated dining area. The attraction has 30 rides and waterslides, including a wave pool.
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor is a 35 acre water park, located at 4243 W Pinnacle Peak Road, Glendale, AZ 85310
The water park opens for the 2019 season on March 16, 2019. Members will get an early look on March 9th and 10th.
Six Flags members and season pass holders will have unlimited access to the water park, as well as other Six Flags theme parks. A season pass to Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Phoenix starts at $59.99 and includes access to 16 additional Six Flags theme parks across the country (see below list). They also offer a monthly membership for as low as $6.49 a month which depending on the level includes unlimited soft drinks and preferred parking.
On May 10th, 2018, Universal Studios Hollywood announced that the current version of the Jurassic Park Ride would be closing on September 3rd, 2018 for a 9 month long renovation.
The current Jurassic Park Ride is a water based ride which opened at Universal Studios Hollywood on June 21, 1996. You ride a boat through the amazing then terrifying world based on the Michael Crichton's novel and Steven Spielberg film of the same name.
The ride is still fun and draws a crowed, however the animatronics have become worn and the new Jurassic World Ride is expected to be more immersive.
Park officials say the new ride will treat visitors to a "whole new experience" with the introduction of previously unseen dinosaurs and updated technology. They continued to state the ride will “pay homage to Jurassic Park".
Do you gamble at land based or cruise casinos? Do you feel trapped by the freeplay or comped room offers from your players club or casino you usually play at? Are you interested in getting equivalent casino free play or comped rooms at new casinos, including comped cruises?
Craig Shacklett (CEO) of URComped, worked as a casino host on a cruise ship and noticed there are basically two types of players, both essentially with the same issue.
The first, were the players that wanted to try different cruise lines and casinos, but they ended up with the same company on the same ships on the same old comp offers over and over again because they were already getting comped through their current player club and were not willing to pay full price to try a different cruise line or casino.
The second type of players he saw, were players that walked into a casino or went on a cruise and gambled as much or more than the comped players. However since they were not members of that casino's player's club or previously cruised with that cruise line they had no way to show they were comp-worthy players before their trip and paid full price for rooms.
To retain players, casinos do not share play information with other companies. This creates a catch 22 for players receiving comp offers from the companies they have played with before but want to try other places.
URComped's mission is to help casino players discover new casino offers and casino comps by helping players easily qualify themselves using your current freeplay and casino offers. They help you find and enjoy comp experiences at new places, which include some of the finest casinos and cruise lines in the world.
The Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament 11th century-style castle in Scottsdale will be 79,000 square feet and will host Jousting, Weaponry, Falconry, Horsemanship and Dinner!
It is the latest addition to the Talking Stick Entertainment District, which already includes family friendly fun: Odysea Aquarium, Topgolf and the Pangaea Land of Dinosaurs. A new Great Wolf Lodge is also coming to same district.
Expect a two hour show of jousting, swordsmanship, hand to hand combat, horsemanship and Falconry as part of an exciting dinner with the Queen.
Queen Maria Isabella welcomes you to dine with her and her royal court and has commanded her royal chefs to cook her favorite meal just for you. As Noble Guests, you and your family will feast on garlic bread, tomato bisque soup, roasted chicken, sweet buttered corn, herb potatoes, dessert, coffee and select beverages.
The Queen’s royal chefs also offer a vegetarian meal of hummus, pita bread, celery and carrot sticks, and a three bean stew with fire roasted tomato and brown rice.
In addition, the Queen's cocktail servers will be making rounds and will be happy to deliver spirits from the bar at additional cost.
The Castle doors will open 75 minutes prior to the show time printed on your ticket. Arrive early as seating is first come, first served. Medieval Times also features a bar, gift shop, Hall of Arms displaying medieval artifacts and a medieval torture museum. Knighting Ceremonies also take place pre-show.
Children under the age of 3 are admitted free as long as they sit on adults' laps and eat from the adult's plate.
Medieval Times began with complexes located in Majorca and Benidorm, Spain. The first North American Castle in Kissimmee, Florida opened in December 1983.
Each pack costs $3 at Denny's with a limit of four packs per person per visit, a food or beverage purchase also required.
Of that, Denny's donates $1.75 to the No Kid Hungry program. The program is expected to raise a minimum of a $1 million donation.
Packs also will include a coupon for a future visit to the restaurant.
Collect all 12 exclusive Solo: A Star Wars Story Topps® Trading Cards
Cards per pack: 2
Produced by Topps®, the Denny’s Solo cards focuses on characters from the spinoff Movie currently in Theaters. Each card pack will include a selection from the set that includes: Han Solo, Chewbacca, L3-37, QEi’ra, Lando Calrissian, Val, Six Eyes, Moloch, Enfys Nest, Therm Scissorpunch, Range Trooper and Mudtrooper.
Set size: 12 cards and 12 Foil Parallels
Foil cards available 1:100 packs
Release date: April 3, 2018
Backs go together to form a pair of propaganda-style poster puzzles.
One has the Millennium Falcon and the other is a TIE Fighter.
The Great American Barbecue and Beer Festival returns to Arizona on Saturday, March 24, 2018 to fill Chandler's Downtown with the sweet smell of BBQ meat.
DATE:
SATURDAY, MARCH 24th 2018
TIME:
NOON - 10:00 PM
LOCATION:
Dr AJ Chandler Park
178 E Commonwealth Ave
Chandler, AZ 85225
The 9th annual, 2018 Great American Barbecue & Beer Festival is being promoted as the biggest and best year yet, with expanded event zones, more than 100 exhibits, 4 stages and over 60 BBQ Pit Masters from across the nation. This event will be serving up over 20,000 lbs. of appetite stimulating pork ribs, pulled pork, brisket and chicken paired with your favorite ice cold beer.
Festival highlights include a full day of family fun which includes live country music entertainment, a March Madness lounge, live cooking and grilling demonstrations, kids zone, eating competitions, backyard lawn games, Mechanical Bull Riding and a farmers market.
COMPETITIONS: Sign up between 12-4 p.m. at West Lawn Local Stage
4:30 PM Brat Eating Contest 5:00 PM Wing Eating Contest 5:30 PM Pie Eating Contest 6:00 PM Rib Eating Contest GENERAL ADMISSION $20 Online Presale - February 1, 2018 through March 23, 2018
$10 Military Discount
$25 Walk Up/Gate Price - Day Of
Parking is free. There are street parking spots and parking lots located throughout the downtown Chandler and a dirt lot at the north end of the Dr. AJ Chandler Park. View a map of the parking location options.
Other ticket options:
CORRAL PASS ADMISSION TICKETS $75 presale ONLY ONLINE! 21 & over only
Front and side stage access in a gated area, plus...
- Beer Bucket Included: includes four craft beer beverages, Includes souvenir bucket & unlimited water
- Snacks Included: Jerky Boys Beef Jerky
- Front Stage Access/View
- Private Restrooms
- Private Seating
VIP ADMISSION TICKET $175 presale ONLY ONLINE! 21 & over only
- Beverage Included: includes six alcohol beverages, unlimited soft drinks and water
- Food Included: includes catering from local BBQ Restaurant throughout the day
- Front Stage Access/View
- Private Restrooms
- Private Seating
Bring Cash: Not all food vendors accept Debit or Credit cards. ATM’s available throughout the festival.
Picture I.D. is required to purchase or consume alcohol. Your I.D. will be checked upon entrance and guests 21 years of age and older will be issued a wristband allowing alcohol purchase. Re-entry allowed with proper stamp
This event is produced by HDE Agency.
- This is a rain or shine event
- No refunds or transfers allowed
Percentage of proceeds from the Great American BBQ & Beer Festival will benefit the Downtown Chandler Community Partnership, a 501(c) nonprofit corporation whose mission is the advancement and development of downtown Chandler as a destination for shopping, dining, living, culture, and the arts.
Changes Coming to Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland will have the attraction closing starting February 26, 2018 with an expected re-open date of March 19, 2018.
The Pirates of the Caribbean attraction will be undergoing changes in the scene where the pirates are auctioning off the Redhead, amongst other women. This is expected to be transformed into something more family friendly.
Current scene
The change has already been implemented at Disneyland Paris.
The artist rendering shows the new scene being changed to the pirates forcing the townspeople to auction off their valuables. Among other things this appears to including a grandfather clock, a picture frame and goats. With the Redhead herself being a pirate instead of a wench being auctioned for a wife.
Disney Artist Rendering of replacement scene
Past modifications to the attraction included making women chase the pirates, rather than inferring what might happen if the women were caught while being chased by pirates. Others were the overlay of the blockbuster movie characters.
The attraction will be closed as the work on the scene transformation is carried out.
Opened:December 15, 1973 Ride length: approx 8 minutes, 30 seconds Fastpass: Yes Handicapped Accessibility: Guests in wheelchairs must be able to transfer to the ride vehicle.
Overview:
The queue line twists and turns in a darkened, cool underground cavern that leads to the boat ride. The Pirates of the Caribbean attraction is quick loading and each boat holds about 30 people.
After a close encounter with Blackbeard and Davy Jones, you'll float through a cave to a dark plunge. Where you'll find yourself in the midst of a battle with cannon shots and Captain Barbossa shouting orders from a pirate ship. Be on the lookout for Captain Jack Sparrow, while he plays hide and seek as he pops up from a barrel and peeks from behind a mannequin.
Listen and you'll hear the song "Yo ho, yo ho, a pirates' life for me."
The Arizona Renaissance Festival Celebrates 30 years of cheers starting February 10th, 2018.
The Arizona Renaissance Faire and Artisan Marketplace is a medieval amusement park, with theatre stages, an artisan crafts fair, a jousting tournament and a Pleasure Feast.
The Arizona Renaissance Festival is open Saturdays, Sundays & Presidents' Day from February 10th through April 1st, 2018.
The Renaissance Festival Hours are 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Rain or Shine
For directions and map to the Arizona Renaissance FestivalClick here, parking is free courtesy of Fry's. Located at 12601 US-60 in Gold Canyon, AZ 85118
The medieval village comes to life with costumed characters recreating a 16th century marketplace, where nearly 30% of Festival's visitors also dress in costume! Thirteen Festival stages have performances by the talented entertainers listed below and others
The Whipmaster Adam Crack Adam Winrich holds multiple Guinness World Records for skill with a whip.
The Ded Bob Sho - Ded Bob appears with Sluj for a show that will tickle your funny bone.
Jousters - Knights in armor perform daring deeds of bravery and skill for the Queen's honour.
Twig the Fairy - Twig Oaklyn Flewinia Thistlebottom spreads whimsy, wonder, and the occasional glitterbomb.
With so much to see and do, you just can not fit it all in one day!
Cheer for brave knights in the Joust!
Tournament Jousting is held three times a day in our Jousting Arena!
12:00 - A Joust for the Queen's Favor
2:30 - A Tournament of Champions
5:00 - A Joust to the Death
Roam the 30-acre festival village filled with castles, cottages and pubs.
Rest your feet with 13 stages of nonstop performances with new shows and returning favorites.
Browse artisan craft shops to find rare treasures.
Eat and revel with a cast of nearly 2,000 colorfully costumed characters.
There is a great variety of festival food and beverage for feasting... don't forget the Turkey leg.
Get your palm read.
Rides and Games of skill!
Test your abilities at the Festival's many games of medieval skill: target shoot with bow like Robin of the Hood or crossbow like a crusading soldier, storm the castle in a paintball battle, or throw a tomato at an insulting peasant. Show off to the damsels at the Climbing Tower or show your warrior side throwing battle axes.
Rides for children of all ages! Soar on the Assault Catapult, ride The Piccolo Pony: the world's largest rocking horse, take a spin on Da Vinci's Flying Machine.
Arizona Renaissance Festival Ticket Information
Children under 5 are always free and parking is also free, courtesy of Fry's Food Stores.
The Arizona Renaissance Festival has several convenient ways to purchase admission tickets!
Fry's Food and Drug Stores
Purchase discounted tickets in advance at Fry's Food Stores statewide.
$24 for adults
$14.00 for children 5-12 (under 5 always free)
Purchase Online Tickets
Print your own discount tickets! Save $1.00 and avoid box office lines, no service fees!
$25.00 for adults
$15.00 for children 5-12 (under 5 always free)
Box Office Tickets at the Faire
You can always purchase your admission tickets the day of the event onsite at the Festival Box Office.
$26.00 for adults
$16.00 for children 5-12 (under 5 always free)
$23.00 for seniors 60 and over
$23.00 for active and/or retired adult military personnel and their spouses.
$13.00 for child dependents of active and/or retired adult military personnel.
Pleasure Feast
Be treated like Royalty while you savor five courses of fine food, ample drink, and enjoy one and one half hours of raucous Renaissance Entertainment at its best! Let the Feast Master's boisterous serving wenches and tavern knaves dish up a roaring good time! Click here for Menu!
Pickup Arizona Renaissance Festival discount coupons at any Hall of Frames! Visit a store to pickup the physical coupons, or download and print the AZ Renaissance Festival Discount Coupon.
