Getting Spooky at Knott’s Scary Farm

Vamp Jenn at Knott's Scary Farm
Vamp Jenn at Knott’s Scary Farm

I have to start off by saying that I hadn’t been to Knott’s Scray Farm in more than 20 years. The last time I went to the event was around 2000/2001 when I was a teen. I don’t remember much of my experience, and for quite some time, I kept hearing people rave about how good Halloween time at the theme park had gotten. So, 2024 was the year I planned my grand return, and I’m here to divulge all the details.

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Inside Dark Harbor: The Spirits Rise on The Queen Mary

Vamp Jenn at The Queen Mary's Dark Harbor
Vamp Jenn at The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor

The last time I attended The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor was in 2019 before it went dark for the proceeding four years. Experiencing its return this spooky season was exciting and overwhelming to the senses. Where do I begin? Since I’m an October baby, I celebrate my birthday by hitting up whatever Halloween events I can. Of course, Dark Harbor was at the top of that list. It was a night filled with frights and delights, and I’m eager to tell you all about it and share a ton of photos.

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How Lydia Deetz of ‘Beetlejuice’ Influenced the Goth Subculture

Winona Ryder as Lydia in Tim Burton's 'Beetlejuice' (© Warner Bros.)
Winona Ryder as Lydia in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice (© Warner Bros.)

When Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice hit cinemas in 1988, the goth subculture was still in its youth, having only been around since the late 70s/early 80s. The scene was evolving and growing both in music and fashion, so for a figure like Lydia Deetz to pop up on the big screen, many black hearts in the audience must have stopped. How many teenage goths can you recall appearing in 80s films? While there may have been a few, none have left as lasting an impression as Winona Ryder’s macabre character. With the release of the sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, I thought it’d be fun to take a look at a few of the influences Lydia Deetz has had on the goth community.

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Midsummer Scream Slays Another Summerween

Vamp Jenn at Midsummer Scream
Vamp Jenn at Midsummer Scream

Halloween was in full swing at Midsummer Scream! While I’ve made a tradition of attending this event annually, this year was the first time I purchased VIP Gold Bat Passes for the entire weekend. I was prowling the Halloween and horror convention Friday, Saturday AND Sunday. Plus, I attended the Saturday night afterparty, which was another first for me. Get ready for lots of details and pictures.

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Dark Harbor Returns to Haunt The Queen Mary

Photo credit: The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor/Thirteenth Floor
Photo credit: The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor/Thirteenth Floor

Spooky season 2024 witnesses the return of Dark Harbor aboard the Queen Mary. After a three-year hiatus, the Halloween festival is rising from the grave and is aptly themed, “The Spirits Rise.” Many were excited when the news was announced on April 30th, which is Walpurgis Night and the halfway to Halloween mark. It’s no doubt one of the most highly anticipated events happening this fall.

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Countdown to Halloween 2024 Guide

Photo credit: Marko Blažević via Unsplash

So here in the U.S., many have deemed the day after the Fourth of July the official start to spooky season. And, why not? There are no other major holidays that happen in the states until October. I noticed tons of people take to social media on July 5th announcing the official countdown to Halloween. It made me giddy! It also signaled that it’s time to release my annual Countdown to Halloween Guide, which I tend to publish around the 100-day mark on July 23rd (because that’s also a big deal in the Halloween community). While not an exhaustive list, I’ve compiled information regarding shopping, costumes, music, events and more. Happy Haunting!

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Exploring the Left Hand Path With Shea Bilé

Shea Bilé's The Religion of Satan lecture
Shea Bilé’s The Religion of Satan lecture

I began to stray from my Catholic upbringing and explore other spiritual beliefs as a teen. There was something lacking in my religious education and so I found enlightenment elsewhere. It began with an interest in ancient religions and witchcraft. Then, my teenage self was in absolute awe when I learned there was a Church of Satan and that was how I was introduced to the occult. As I’ve evolved spiritually over the years, I’ve sustained a connection with the Left Hand Path. When I discovered The Crooked Path was featuring a series on the subject with Shea Bilé, who’s an authority on esotericism, I had to attend.

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Spotlight Feature: Ivotres Littles of Horror Movies & Beyond

Ivotres Littles of Horror Movies and Beyond
Ivotres Littles of Horror Movies and Beyond

“Do you like scary movies?” -Ghostface from Scream (1996)

This is the question Ivotres Littles explores through her platform, Horror Movies and Beyond. Her YouTube channel is a treasure trove of horror content, from scary movie reviews to celebrity interviews to explorations into the unknown. Through her features, she analyzes, in an entertaining way, what makes horror so enticing.  

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Blasphemeet: An Occult Market Experience

Vamp Jenn at Blasphemeet
Vamp Jenn at Blasphemeet

Blasphemeet is a bazaar that pays homage to the darkness and pushes the envelope when it comes to exploring the morbid and sinister aspects of existence. It highlights witchcraft, the occult, Satanism, eroticism and death, featuring vendors, performances, artists and entertainment that embrace these concepts. Here’s a look inside the nefarious festivities I witnessed.

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Vamp Jenn’s Crypts: Welcome to RavenWolf Manor

RavenWolf Manor in Navasota, TX
RavenWolf Manor in Navasota, TX

Imagine living in a Victorian house that’s more than 130 years old. Well, that fantasy is a reality for Lawyer B Douglas II and his husband who are the owners of RavenWolf Manor in Navasota, TX. The property is a majestic 19th-century structure that brims with beauty and enchantment. Be prepared to take a step back in time and into a spellbinding realm.

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