Midsummer Scream, the world’s largest Halloween convention, was canceled this year due to COVID-19, but on Saturday, August 1, which would have been day two of this year’s event, the convention has announced they will be hosting a special livestream. Called “There In Spirit: Midsummer Scream,” the free livestream will feature previews and updates for Halloween events and attractions, including related performances, talks from leaders in spooky entertainment, as well as eerie surprises!
Midsummer Scream has partnered with TEA@USC, a student organization at the University of Southern California, who will present a series of educational panels and talks with speakers from across the themed entertainment industry. This programming will run simultaneously alongside Midsummer Scream’s livestream, allowing viewers the option to watch one “channel” or the other throughout the day.
The stream will run from 11 AM to 7 PM via YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter/Periscope. During the event, Midsummer Scream will be hosting a “telethon” to raise funds for The Actors Fund and The Mayors Fund For Los Angeleno Campaign, both of which are helping people impacted financially by the pandemic.
“Since 2016, Midsummer Scream has been considered Southern California’s official kickoff of the Halloween season,” says Executive Director David Markland. “While our live event was cancelled due to the pandemic, we still want to usher in the spooky season and continue to be a platform for attractions and leaders of the haunt and Halloween industry to connect with the community. This is our opportunity to all be together ‘in spirit’.”
Featured presenters and programming partners include Winchester Mystery House, Dark Delicacies, Peepshow Menagerie, LVCRFT, the Creative Quest Foundation, Thirteenth Floor Entertainment, HorrorBuzz, Disney Coast to Coast, and Epic Entertainment Group. Additional presenters, performers, and appearances, along with a full schedule, will be kept updated at midsummerscream.org/livestream.
In addition, Midsummer Scream has made available for purchase a “trick or treat” pack with a commemorative credential, choice of T-shirt along with other goodies, to be sent ahead of the livestream for a taste of the live event experience. The pack is available now through the Midsummer Scream merchandise page.
Midsummer Scream will return in 2021 for its fifth year on July 9-11 at the Long Beach Convention Center.
