Legendary Akron Haunt Owner Passes Away

City Blood is saddened by the loss of haunt legend, Don Johns. Don was the creator and owner of The Haunted Schoolhouse and Laboratory in Akron, OH. Since 1974 He's been scaring people all over the world with incredible set design, unique effects and great characters with the heart stopping Haunted Schoolhouse. In 1981 he purchased the Guggenheim Airship Institute next door and created The Haunted Laboratory. In 2009 We awarded The Haunted Schoolhouse "Haunt of the Year" and Don's one of a kind haunts never cease to amaze us. Don was only 63 years old when he passed away, but he's created a huge legacy during his time on earth and has been an inspiration for haunts around the globe.

While I didn't know Don personally, I respected his dedication to his craft and thank him for creating long lasting memories for my family and I. Who can forget the electrifying Tesla Coils, the death defying air tunnel and the countless homemade sets and props? The Haunted Schoolhouse and Laboratory are iconic haunts with unique elements that make them one of a kind. The Haunted Schoolhouse is also one of the oldest haunts in the nation and will be turning 40 this year. Time really flies when you're getting scared witless.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Don. The haunt industry will not be the same without him and may his legacy live on. 
Obituary
WKYC Article

Haunt Design Kit.com Launches New Education Center!

Haunted House Design Revolution.
Haunt Design Kit.com Launches New Education Center

Lexington, Kentucky (May 17th 2013) - Haunted house design website, Haunt Design Kit.com, officially launches its brand-new Education Center today in response to it’s growing demand for educational resources and “how-to” information.

“The response to HDK (Haunt Design Kit.com) has been huge,” says website creator Tyler Barnett. “Since our launch back in February, the site has welcomed some 950 unique visitors and has had nearly 5,000 page views.”

Haunt Design Kit.com focuses on haunted house and attraction design using modern technology to make the process easier and more accessible to the smaller, family-owned attractions. Currently, the website hosts several free downloadable “kits” that are made to be used with Trimble’s SketchUp; a free 3D modeling software provided by Google.

“SketchUp is a wonderful program. Many architects use it today to design and pre-visualize their homes or projects,” Barnett says. “We’re just trying to bring this technology into the haunted house industry and make it as easy as possible for attraction owners and designers…but it does come with a learning curve; which is why we created the Education Center!”

The Education Center at Haunt Design Kit.com will be home to free articles, interviews, videos and resources…all in an effort to help sway the learning curve for its users. “This is a big step for us,” Barnett added. “But we’re trying to revolutionize the way people are designing their shows…and this is just our first leap forward.”

For more information, please visit www.hauntdesignkit.com.

7th Street Haunt is Looking for Monsters!

Lou-Evil's" award winning 7th Street Haunt is looking for monsters, ghosts, and ghouls to strike fear into hundreds of victims this Halloween season. This haunted attraction is one of a kind. If you like horror, gore, and love scaring people then this is the place for you. If interested and would like to know more about this once in a life time chance to get paid for something you love doing then please email them at tboling@7thstreethaunt.com.

For more information on The 7th Street Haunt, please visit www.7thstreethaunt.com.