If you read my previous blog...then you know that my idea for a "Home Haunters EXPO" in 2010 is pretty much dust in the wind...but something that has come out of that idea is a commercial haunt at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Florida for 2010.
The rep that I was talking to while trying to gather information for the EXPO asked if we would consider doing a haunt at the fairgrounds, charging admission and splitting it with the fair. Of course, I considered the proposal long and hard...well, okay...so, maybe it wasn't THAT long. But, I told her that I would love to but would have to see if it was really feasible. I mean...going from a small 3-day home haunt to putting together a 44,000 square foot attraction for nearly a month...is quite a change to say the least.
But, it is something I am looking forward to doing. The recception that I got from all of the folks at the fairgrounds when I went in to talk to the rep was remarkable. They are talking about having this become a yearly thing...and eventually, I could rent the building (versus them "sponsoring" it to us) and keep all of the admission profit for ourselves.
I turned to my good friend Doc Weitle for assistance with this. We both share much the same dreams...and seem to think the same way. It is turning out to be quite a partnership and the plans that we are coming up with should prove to be extremely successful. We have been shooting ideas back and forth to each other, tweaking them here and there and are quickly coming up with quite an event.
Now...we can't really begin to compete with events like Busch Gardens' "Howl-O-Scream" or Universal Studios' "Halloween Horror Nights"...let's face it...we have nowhere near the budget that they do...but, we are doing what we can to have something they don't have...a family friendly event. Including fun things for the kids to do and enjoy will mean that Mom and Dad don't have to spend extra money on a babysitter and the entire family can come and enjoy it.
As I spoke with Lot13 last night...she pointed me towards a few ideas. One of which is that we will be contacting the local schools to see if any of their art students would like to come out and do halloween-themed caricatures or face-painting as a fundraiser for their schools. This way it will help us all out....the school gets some extra funds and we get some more activities for the kids. I am also getting in touch with some of the "carny" folk around here to see if any of them have "spooky" kids rides that they would like to come and set up to make a little extra cash during the "off season". Again...a plus for both sides.
What's the theme? you may ask..well...we are basically going to rebuild a part of Dodge City inside the building with street down the middle and building on both sides.
There are a couple of benefits to doing this style of haunt for the first year. 1) We save materials because all of the buildings share walls. 2) When you are dealing with the old west and props...a few skeletons will go a LONG way. As far as the layout goes...some of the buildings will most liking just be detailed interior sets...so that there is something to see in each building. The walkthrough portions will start in one building...weave around behind the scenes and pop the visitor out in a different building through some "secret passageway".
Now...I start the long grueling process of begging for sponsors. Afterall..there is no way we have enough wall panels, 2x4s or plywood to do this sitting in our sheds or workshops...lol. So...hardware stores will definitely be at the top of the list!!
I am so excited about this, and I am sure Doc is to. Hopefully this works out nicely and this will become a source of income that I actually enjoy doing...lol. We'll keep you posted on the progress as it happens.
Tags: Soul Echo Entertainment Tampa Florida Doc Weitle State Fairgrounds
