Cancelled - AZ Halloween Marketplace - September 19th, 2020

The AZHaunters.com Haunted Swap Meet is now the AZ Halloween Marketplace and has been canceled for the 2020 Halloween Season.

FREE ATTENDANCE & FREE PARKING

The AZ Halloween Marketplace, formerly the Haunted Swap Meet, is a one-day annual marketplace held every September where you can buy, sell, and trade your homemade, gently used Halloween props and collectables to other haunters.The event is a gathering of Halloween enthusiasts that buy sell or trade props, costumes, decorations, and other Halloween related items. Buy, sell and trade till you have the perfect yard haunt.

Over 100 Vendors featuring Halloween wares

• Artisans selling hand-crafted or original wares 
• Home haunters selling thrift-sale-type items
• Entertainers 
• Make-up artists 
• This year they are adding a haunted house *$5 charge to enter haunted house
• Hearse Display
• Raffle with hourly prize drawings
• Special Appearances by:
• AZ Ghostbusters
• United Zombies
• Live Pumpkin Carving by Villafane Studios (master carver)

You will find creepy cupcakes, costumes, spell books, macabre original artwork, and so much more.

They are again in a nice air-conditioned venue at MetroCenter Mall. If you attended last year, you know how big the crowd was and will be happy to know that they are taking over the entire lower level of the mall instead of a single store space. That means you can use any mall entrance and should not expect any lines standing between you and your Halloween fun!

The AZ Halloween Marketplace is organized by The AZHaunters.com website, an online community of individuals of all ages that have come together celebrate Halloween Haunting by sharing and learning with each other. The HAunted Swap Meet began in 2015 with a half dozen members gathering on a lawn to trade props (hence the original name Swap Meet), and has since grown with over 6,000 attendees last year.

AZ Haunters gather together in person and online to share prop making techniques and ideas, chat about Halloween, and help each other out with haunting plans. They also hold "Make & Take" crafting events approx once a month, this is where they meet in person and you learn how to construct various Halloween props..

*********************UPDATE* CANCELLED *UPDATE**************************

With the closure of Metrocenter Mall, the event's location is now in question?

*****************************************************************************

Parking is free!

Tips:

• Wear comfortable shoes, anticipate walking up and down every aisle
• Stay hydrated, Water will be available for purchase.
• Bring Cash, many of the vendors will accept credit cards, some may not
• Restroom facilities will be available in the main mall area.

For More information Contact AZ Halloween Marketplace or Become a Vendor

Metrocenter Mall dies at age 47 - June 30, 2020

After 47 years, Metrocenter Mall in Phoenix is closing its doors for good, according to a letter from the mall's general manager Kim Ramirez.

The mall was opened for business in October 1973 as the largest shopping center in Arizona and was the first two-level, five-anchor mall in the country.

Charter tenants in the 100 million dollar shopping facility included Dave Cook Sporting Goods, See's Candies, Lerner Shops, Rozenweigs Jewelers, Toys By Roy, Butterfield Station, Judy's ladies' wear, Waldenbooks, Guggy's Coffee Shop, Florsheim Shoes and a Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour.

In the Glory Days, Metrocenter was a destination in itself, with an ice skating rink, arcade, and dozens of specialty stores all under one roof.  In 1976, the amusement park Golf 'N Stuff (now Castles-N-Coasters) opened in the southeast corner of the mall's parking lot providing 10 acres of rides and miniature golf.

The Ice Capades Chalet skating rink featured in appeared in Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989 Comedy Adventure movie) was closed in 1990.

The Harkins Metro 12 held its grand opening March 19, 1999.

In January 2004, Metrocenter was sold by DVM Co. to Macerich Company and AEW Capital Management who brought back the founding developer, Westcor.

In 2005, several of the mall's retail stores which also appeared in Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, such as Oshman's Sporting Goods and Casual Corner, closed in when those chains' went out of business.



Metrocenter's interior was revamped in 2007 with an aim at comfort and technology.

In 2010, Jones Lang LaSalle took over management and 15% ownership of Metrocenter Mall from Westcor.

Since January 2012, the mall has been owned by the Carlyle Development Group based in New York City.

May 2012, a temporary artificial ice rink was opened for the summer at the mall.

In 2016, a massive redevelopment of Metrocenter was approved by the Phoenix City Council to allow office, medical and residential space.

A Walmart opened at the mall in 2017 with hopes that it would revitalize the area.

The property planed to host a monthly “Metro Feastival” starting Saturday, June 15, from 5:30-9 p.m. where 10 to 20 food trucks would park outside the food court near the Harkins Theatre. But with Covid-19, people just are not willing to turn out in crowds.

June 19th, 2020, the announcement of closure. "We hope to see Metrocenter redeveloped and revitalized in the near future so it can once again be the pride of the surrounding community," wrote Ramirez.

June 30th, 2020 will be the death of a place full of memories, but long only sustained by life support.

I spent my teenage years at the mall. Please comment below with your great memories of this hang out.

Review of the Haunted Swap Meet - September 28th, 2019

This year, The Haunted Swap Meet event was held inside Metrocenter Mall in Phoenix on Saturday September 28th, 2019.

I do not have an estimate on the number of Halloween enthusiasts that gathered to buy sell or trade props, costumes, decorations, and other Halloween related items. However, what I do know is the turnout was far larger than I think anyone expected.

The lines wrapped around the stairs and outside the mall down around the old Sears and there was standing room only inside the space rented for the event.

On one hand it is extremely satisfying to see such a turn out of Halloween lovers, gives me hope the holiday is not as dead as some might think. For the last few years, when you walk into stores in October, you see Christmas, not Halloween. When you look for halloween events, you see churches running events in hopes of increasing attendance. Even in many neighborhoods, everyone has the lights out instead of handing candy out to the folks who put effort into dressing up and celebrating. But all that digresses from the subject at hand.

The huge turn out created an issue with ability to actually browse comfortably. As mentioned, there was standing room only and the space was not large enough for the thousands of people that showed up to find a bargain.

I do have some suggestions to improve upon on this issue which was posted to the Facebook Event's Page. Now some of these will increase the cost which may mean they will need to charge a nominal entry fee (which will also assist with head count).

Some of these suggestions are a bigger location, next year maybe rent out both floors of the old Sears and seperate the merchants/businesses from the home haunters/swap meet/used stuff. This will increase browsing space and make it easier to locate deals by identifying the used merchandise that may be cheaper or have the ability to be haggled over.

Do 2 days, Saturday and Sunday. This will help with overcrowding to some extent. Now, you should still expect opening on Saturday to be large as no one would really want to wait till near close on Sunday when most of the best deals would be gone.

Maybe even do March and September. Many Haunters work on their Halloween stuff year round, also having one in March would increase the deals as many are more apt to sell items no longer being needed at an off time of year.

Spreading vendors out more will allow buyers to access each vendor from all 4 sides for better less crowded browsing. This will increase the experience for vendor and buyer.

Maybe even Sanctum of Horror Haunted Attractions (who sponsors the AZHaunters Haunted Swap Meet) can have a mini haunted house in a store the size of the one the swap meet was in this year. This would not only increase the draw for people in the East Valley, but dilute the traffic at the Swap a bit by spreading the flow out. This haunted attraction could even be up the whole month, making it worth while for Sanctum of Horror to attempt the endeavour. Get a coupon to this haunted house here.

That is my two cents, lots of neat things to see, but little opportunity to purchase because of the crowds. Additionally, some of the merchants did not have signal and so could only accept cash.

I do think, this year's Haunted Swap Meet learned and improved from 2018, but I think some of the changes (being inside instead of outside) drew a bigger crowd which created other issues. I think they will take much of the insight given this year to make next year more enjoyable. In short, do not give up on them, we need this type of thing to help keep Halloween Alive.

I also liked the FREE picture with a Spirit!

Stay tuned for more information on The Arizona Haunted Swap Meet returning to Metro Center Mall on September 26th, 2020.

AZHaunters.com Haunted Swap Meet 2019 - Metrocenter in Phoenix, AZ

The AZHaunters.com website is an online community of individuals of all ages that have come together celebrate Halloween Haunting by sharing and learning with each other. AZ Haunters gather together in person and online to share prop making techniques and ideas, chat about Halloween, and help each other out with haunting plans. They also hold "Make & Take" crafting events approx once a month, this is where they meet in person and you learn how to construct various Halloween props.

AZ Haunters also holds an annual Haunted Swap Meet every September where you can buy, sell, and trade your homemade, gently used Halloween props and collectables to other haunters.

The Haunted Swap Meet event is a gathering of Halloween enthusiasts that buy sell or trade props, costumes, decorations, and other Halloween related items. Buy, sell and trade till you have the perfect yard haunt.

Along with Free Admission and Free Parking For Attendees, Last year they featured:

• Over 50 Halloween related business vendors
• Over 25 Private Sellers
• Live Demonstration booths, showing prop creations instructionals
• An 8 vehicle Hearse display
• “Photo Ops” for Attendees
• 4 Food Trucks

This year, the event will be held inside at Metrocenter mall in Phoenix on Saturday September 28th, 2019 from 10am to 4pm

9617 N. Metro Parkway W.
(between Sears and Dillard's)
Phoenix, AZ 85051

Parking is free!

Tips:

• Wear comfortable shoes, anticipate walking up and down every aisle
• Stay hydrated, Water will be available for purchase.
• Bring Cash, many of the vendors will accept credit cards, some may not
• Restroom facilities will be available in the main mall area.

Become a Vendor - Register to be a vendor

Artisan Exhibitor: for vendors who are selling their wares as a business.

Private Vendor: for members of AZHaunters.com that have personal props, costumes, etc. that they no longer need. Every day haunters looking to sell or trade Halloween stuff.

Sanctum of Horror Haunted Attraction Review

Finally had the opportunity to visit this Haunted Attraction. On 9/28/19 at the Haunted Swap Meet, Sanctum of Horror Haunted Attractions was offering a discounted ticket price of $13 dollars and you got a $10 shirt free. So essentially we visited this attraction for $3 each.

This Haunted House Attraction is 2 haunted mazes set up in the parking lot of the Superstition Springs Mall in Mesa, AZ.

Since 2012, Sanctum of Horror has been scaring the East Valley with incredible detail and great makeup that will surely frighten those daring enough to visit.

Discount tickets available on their website or Groupon.

Sanctum of Horror 

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.

The Breach

In 1953, deep within the southern Arizona desert, lies a military research facility only known to the public as Bunker 16. With the discovery of a rare leech found within the waters of the Orinoco River, Bunker 16 began PROJECT: PESTILENCE. One night in October, the base abruptly sent a distress signal. Enter the base on that horrifying night and bear witness to the destruction caused by a creature focused on its own survival.

Blackout Event (November 1st and 2nd only)

Shadowy darkness will creep over the Sanctum of Horror. Enter Parallel domain in utter darkness and find a candle for light.

My Two Cents:

My first impression was, this looks a little small. I will tell you though, there was a lot of punch. They did great with the what appeared to be a small space. I believe I heard them say Sanctum of Horror had 22 rooms (was not counting when walking through).

There was great attention to detail in each room. The scare actors interacted well with those waiting in line (they focused on those who's screams entertained the rest of us). Not overly packed and the best part of all, they only send you in with your group and they pause you at the entrance with a small prologue allowing the group ahead to get ahead. This is one of the only attractions I have been to that is not a long conga line.

Hands down, you add that part of the experience to the detail and work that is put into the attraction itself and this place (though only 2 haunted mazes) gives great value vs cost, especially when comparing apples to apples with bigger attractions like Fear Farm and Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood.

In addition, there were 2 food vendor trucks, Both selling the bottles of water for $1.50, not $4-$6 like most places. My kids said the smoothie they got from MF Koffee was the best they ever had! French Me LLC is a Gourmet French Fry Food Truck, we just got plain fries, but they were good!

Here are the operating dates and hours of operation.

2018 Haunted Swap Meet organized by AZHaunters.com

Click Here for 2019 Haunted Swap Meet Info


The 2018 Haunted Swap Meet is sponsored by Sanctum of Horror Haunted House and organized by AZHaunters.com!

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.

Just some of the participating businesses

Little Corpse Magnets - Product/Service
Jet Veridis Entertainment - Public Figure
Spoonerisms By Design - Product/Service
Distinction Brow and Lash - Beauty/Cosmetics Company
Live Healthier Be Healthier - Community
Jodi Horne - Artist
The Rolling Grind - Local Business
The Hallowed Grave - Home Decor · Artist
Triple Dot Food Truck - Food Truck
Knot Knitted - Arts & Crafts Store
Mummified Faeries - Local Business
Steampunkins - Local Business
Queen Cyanide - Retail Company
Isher Creations - Local Business
Right Brain Photography - Business & Economy Website
Crescent Canines - Pet Store · Pet Supplies · Pet Service
Sanctum of Horror Haunted House - Haunted House · Amusement & Theme Park
AZHaunters - Just For Fun · Social Club
Arizona Ghostbusters - Nonprofit Organization