Hamilton County Vs Zombie Nativity!

Since December 11th the Zombie Nativity Scene has been fined by Sycamore Township for using a tarp on top of the structure. Owner Jasen Dixon has been fined $500 a day and will be heading to court to contest it. If you believe in Freedom of Expression then please be sure to watch the trial in person on January 5th at 10:00 AM. It's at the Hamilton County Municipal Court on 1000 Sycamore Street Cincinnati, OH 45202. Dress up as a zombie to protest outside or watch the trial. See you there!

Waverly Hills Christmas Laser Light Show Returns!

Waverly Hills Sanatorium presents their annual Christmas Laser Light Show which runs on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the day after Thanksgiving until Saturday, January 2nd. Friday hours are 7-10 pm and Saturday & Sunday hours are 6-9 pm. Tickets are $10 and larger vehicles require higher admission.

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

Here's A Nativity Scene Unlike Others!

The Zombie Nativity Scene has returned for a second year. We truly appreciate Jasen Dixon's creativity and we support freedom of expression. Sycamore Township is no longer trying to get it taken down since it's up to code. So, be sure you get a chance to see this unique holiday display before it's gone. It's located at 8555 Vorhees Lane Cincinnati, OH 45236.

For more information, please visit https://www.facebook.com/Zombie-nativity-scene-365944350233282/.

The ScareAtorium Happy HorrorDays Event!

The patients of the asylum at The ScareAtorium are busy decorating their cells for the holidays while RIP’s Funhouse is being transformed into an evil elf workshop. Get your screams on after shopping or bring your holiday guests out for a night of fright.

Only four nights of HorrorDays

- Friday, Dec 18 7:30-10:30 pm
- Saturday, Dec 19 7:30-10:30 pm
- Saturday, Dec 26 7:30-10:30 pm
- Sunday, Dec 27 7:30-9:30 pm

Please visit www.scareatorium.com for more information on the haunt.

The 7th Street Haunt Christmas Event!

The 7th Street Haunt will have its unique Christmas event on December 11th & 12th from 8-10:30 pm. Tickets are only $10. Santa's been kidnapped and only you can help. Visit www.7thstreethaunt.com for information on the haunt.

The 2015 Haunt Awards Are Online!

City Blood's annual Haunt Awards are online. We award haunts in everything from best props to best actor. The coveted Haunt of the Year is also revealed. Click here to see the winners!

Horror Hike/The Dungeon Haunted Attraction Slashes Price!

Horror Hike/The Dungeon Haunted Attraction has slashed its price for their final weekend. For Friday November 6th and Saturday November 7th, tickets are only $5 a person. You can't beat that. For more information on Horror Hike/The Dungeon Haunted Attraction, please visit www.horrorhike.com.

Fun Halloween Facts!

Before you head out to go trick or treating or enjoy a scary event on Halloween, be sure to check out this video. It features some fun Halloween facts which are brought to you by The Dent Schoolhouse.

Please visit www.frightsite.com for information on The Dent Schoolhouse in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Midnight Syndicate Releases Christmas Album!

For over 18 years, the music of gothic instrumental composers Midnight Syndicate has been used to set the atmosphere in haunted attractions, amusement parks, stores, and homes worldwide during the Halloween season.  Now, with Christmas: A Ghostly Gathering, listeners will find out what happens when Midnight Syndicate takes them on a Yuletide-inspired musical journey.  The CD version of the album was released today, with the digital version becoming available on Thursday, October 1st.

The new album features the band’s unique twist on classic holiday carols blended with new and original material.  “Our goal was to treat each song in a way that would merge familiarity with originality,” said Gavin Goszka. “There are definitely recognizable elements, but plenty of additional original material as well. It also incorporates the widest instrument palette we've used to date and represents what we consider to be the most varied collection of songs we've ever released. There are serenely beautiful moments here alongside more intense, darker tracks, and the end result is a thoroughly compelling and involving listening experience.” “With so many Christmas-themed albums out there, we wanted to make this collection uniquely our own,” added Edward Douglas. “I think we were able to do that.”

Official Midnight Syndicate website: www.MidnightSyndicate.com

A New Haunt Is Coming To Waynesfield, Ohio!

A new haunt is coming to Waynesfield, Ohio this year. It's called Hammer's Brothers Haunted Circus. Experience a haunted paintball wagon trail and haunted cornfield with a circus twist. This sounds like an interesting haunt that is sure to put a chill down your spine.

Visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/hammerbrothershauntedcircus/.

The Dungeon Haunted Attraction Teams With Horror Hike.

The Dungeon Haunted Attraction (Foremerly Dungeons of Delhi) is pleased to announce that they have formed a Partnership with Horror Hike which is approximately 10 miles west of Delhi on the Indiana/Ohio Border. The Haunted Trail will be BIGGER and BETTER than ever before. Please like the page below. They also will be donating to the Lauren Hill Foundation. More Details Coming SOON!!!!!!!!!
https://www.facebook.com/LawrenceburgHorrorHike?fref=ts

Terror Town In Maumee, Ohio Calls It Quits!

With a heavy heart, we regret to confirm that Terror Town will NOT be opening its doors for the 2015 Haunt Season, and is ceasing operation effective immediately. "It was an amazing 21 year run," said Mark Roberts, owner and director of "Toledo's BEST and Longest Running Haunted House." The staff and management of Terror Town wish to thank all of our loyal customers and fans for supporting us through the years! R.I.P. Terror Town.

City Blood will never forget this great haunt. Terror Town's House of the Dead was City Blood's 2007 and 2008 Haunt of the Year.

USS Nightmare Job Fair!

What: 
USS Nightmare is preparing for the 2015 haunting season and is searching for the creepiest, most intense, and scariest monsters that the tri-state has to offer. Immediate interview opportunities are available at the 2015 job fair.

Who:
Interested crewmembers must:
Be 18 years or older
Have a strong desire to work for the best haunted attraction in Cincinnati
Have energetic and fun personalities
Be able to work during the show season (normal show schedule is Fridays and Saturdays beginning September 18 and then Wednesdays through Sundays October 1 through October 31)
Please apply in person. Bring photo ID and social security card.

When:
Wednesday, September 2 and Thursday, September 3 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Where:
BB Riverboats
101 Riverboat Row
Newport, KY 41071

For additional details regarding USS Nightmare employment, please email jobs@ussnightmare.com.

A New Middletown Haunt Set To Open!

A new haunt by the name of Nightmare Manor will be opening in Middletown, Ohio this Halloween season. There will be horror movie scenes, original scenes and interactive elements. City Blood is looking forward to seeing what they offer in the way of scares. Nightmare Manor will be located at 1601 S. University Blvd. It's the building that was once a Cambridge Inn and housed The Chambers of Horror. We will keep you up to date when more information becomes available.

Please visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/themonstermanor.

Knox County Poorhouse Burns!

The spooky building that once housed The House of Nightmares years ago has gone up in flames. It's unsure how the fire started on June 26th and it's still under investigation. City Blood will remember The House of Nightmares as one of our all time favorite haunts with one of the best settings we've ever seen for a haunt. The old Knox County Poorhouse will always be in our memories and we'll never forget the great times we had at The House of Nightmares. Below is a video of the fire and here is an article on the fire, http://nbc4i.com/2015/06/26/knox-county-infirmary-catches-fire/.

Dark View Haunted Attraction Is Coming!

Nothing can keep The Goucher Haunted Hotel down. This Toronto, Ohio haunt is rising from the ashes after going up in flames in 2014. It's being renamed Dark View Haunted Attraction and it promises to be a more mature experience. There will be a new location and multiple attractions that take place inside and outside. We'll keep you up to date as more information comes in.

For more information on Dark View Haunted Attraction, please visit www.darkviewhaunt.com.

Dreadland Haunted Woods Closes!

Dreadland Haunted Woods in Sardinia, Ohio will be closing forever because of zoning issues. They're limited in when they can open, what they can build, where they can build etc. City Blood hopes they are able to open down the road. They will be missed.

Fright Manor Sneak Preview Event!

Fright Manor in Indianapolis, IN will be open June 26th and 27th from 7:30 pm - 10 pm. Tickets are only $10 and you're sure to have the fright of your life. Their monsters are ready and will you survive? For more information, please visit www.frightmanor.com.

Damien Reaper's MHC Experience!

Read about Damien Reaper's experience at Midwest Haunters Convention 2015 in Columbus, Ohio. Click here for the article.

Get Ready For MHC 2015!

The annual Midwest Haunters Convention in Columbus, Ohio is this week (May 29-31). Enjoy everything from a haunted trade show floor to haunt tours, seminars, contests, workshops and more. The most anticipated event at MHC is of course the Masquerade Party which is great for those who love to take pictures of living breathing monsters and for those who like to dress up. Tickets are only $10 for the trade show floor and prices vary on everything else.

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

St. Rita Haunted House Looking For New Location!

St. Rita Haunted House is in the process of finding a new location. Proceeds will continue to benefit St. Rita School for the Deaf. This year will be St.Rita's 40th year of fear. We look forward to seeing what the new St. Rita Haunted House will be like.

Click here for more information.

Midnight Syndicate Christmas CD!

CLEVELAND, Ohio, May 12, 2015 - Midnight Syndicate has announced that their eighteenth album will have a Christmas and Winter Solstice theme.  “I think there's a rule that after a band's been around for ‘x’ years they are required to produce a Christmas album.  So, that's how we got here,” joked Edward Douglas. “In all seriousness though, a Yuletide-themed Midnight Syndicate album is something our fans have been asking us for since we began; this album will not disappoint them.”

“I will say that this album has been particularly challenging because we're taking songs that are SO familiar and that have been treated in so many different ways throughout the years and trying to make them uniquely our own,” added Gavin Goszka. “We don't want to make yet another Christmas album - we really want it to stand on its own as something truly original. We hope that it will evoke the spirit of the Yuletide season while also reflecting our ongoing musical style and vision.”

Content-wise, the album will be a mix of new material and twists on classics. “I'd describe most of the covers on the album as being reinvented, rather than simply adapted,” said Goszka. “I've found myself approaching this material with a very wide palette and a limited sense of allegiance to convention. That being said, it still has to make sense in some way and stay grounded in the familiar. I think we're stretching our creative wings more than ever here, but there's still a consistency and overall purpose to it.”  “The original songs have been a lot of fun to work on,” added Douglas. “I think the fans are in for a lot of pleasant surprises.”

Fans will not have to wait until Christmas for this present.  Midnight Syndicate will be exhibiting at DragonCon in Atlanta this year on Labor Day weekend (September 4-7) and plans to have the CD available at the show.

Midnight Syndicate Live!  update: In October of 2014, Midnight Syndicate Live! debuted at Cedar Point’s HalloWeekends  event.  From the audience response to the critical reception to record-breaking attendance numbers, the show was an overwhelming success.   Although the band will be using 2015 to focus on the new album, plans for a return of  Midnight Syndicate Live! in 2016 are already underway. “The success of the inaugural run of Midnight Syndicate Live! has ensured that live Midnight Syndicate shows will be a permanent part of our plans going forward,” said Douglas.

Midnight Syndicate official website - www.MidnightSyndicate.com
Facebook - www.Facebook.com/MidnightSyndicate
Twitter - www.Twitter.com/midsyndicate
YouTube - www.youtube.com/midsyndicate

It Follows: "Retro Horror In The Modern Age"

Director: David Robert Mitchell

Runtime: 100 min

Rating: R

One of the year's most anticipated horror movies is called “It Follows”. You'll either love it or you'll hate it. I for one am a big fan of this soon to be cult classic. The story is one you've heard before. Girl meets boy, boy infects girl with curse after they've had wild passionate sex.

Maikia Monroe plays Jay Height, a naive young girl who has a bit of a dilemma. An evil entity won't leave her alone since she had sex with her dreamy boyfriend. This demonic spirit takes on many forms. It's an old woman, a 7 foot tall man, a nude dude, a naked chick, you name it. The only way she can get rid of the curse is if she has sex with some unfortunate soul. It's a twisted game of hot potato where the loser is haunted by some messed up individuals.

It Follows takes place in Detroit, Michigan. The shots of dilapidated buildings, stained walls and prostitutes really adds to the depressing feel of the movie. The neighborhood resembles a ghost town since you rarely see other people outside of their homes. It's a broken down version of Haddonfield, Illinois from the original Halloween. There's always a feeling of dread. You're running out of time before “It” gets you.

It's hard to tell what time period It Follows takes place in. Black and white TVs are the norm and teens use e readers shaped like sea shells. The kids in this small town have parents, but you rarely see them. They have to rely on each other if they want to survive. The music is haunting and plays homage to movies of the 1980's. The cinematography is superb and takes movie goers on a wild ride. You'll feel like you're the evil creature following these teens.

"This iconic scene shows Jay getting ready for her big date."

The soundtrack plays a big part of what makes It Follows unique. Disasterpiece has done a wonderful job capturing the mood of this film. So, please make sure the theater has a good sound system where you can feel the beat of the synthesizer. It Follows is a unique horror movie that comes along once in a while. Imitators are sure to pop up in the future to capitalize on its success.

This is a unique take on the modern horror movie. It's a throwback to the late 70's and early 80's, but feels fresh and new. It does have its faults though. The supporting characters fall flat with the exception of Paul played by Keir Gilchrist. The ending leaves a lot to be desired and had me asking for more. 

This isn't an overly gory film, but there are some nasty scenes. My only gripe about the gore is that a few scenes rely too heavily on CGI blood which makes an otherwise beautiful film feel cheap at times. But if you're tired of the same ole cliche horror movie then you're going to have a spooky good time watching “It Follows”. This isn't your run of the mill paranormal tale. It sticks with you long after the credits roll.

Score: 7.5/10

www.itfollowsfilm.com

This review was written by Noah Wullkotte of City Blood (www.ohioshaunted.com)

Donate To Help Haunt Rebuild!

Shattered Nightmares Haunted House in Terre Haute, Indiana caught on fire Friday, April 17th around 10:30 pm. The entire haunt is a loss and they need your help. Please consider donating anything you can to help them rebuild. Click on the link below to donate.

http://www.gofundme.com/s9hyg4v

Dent Makeup Manager On Skin Wars!

Dent Schoolhouse's makeup manager Aryn Fox will be competing on the show Skin Wars which premieres June 10th at 9/ 8 c on the Game Show Network. Good luck Aryn!

For information on The Dent Schoolhouse, please visit www.frightsite.com.

Fear Fair Presents Zombie Prom!

Location: On The Rox: 214 S Broadway St, Seymour, Indiana 47274
Time: 8:00 PM

Come walk the blood red carpet in your finest rotted atire! Moonshine Mafia-Seymour will be rocking the live tunes in the front bar while Stackhouse DJ's spin the dance hits for the Zombie Prom in Club Rox !!

Fear Fair's professional makeup artists will "zombiefy" you from 8-10 PM !!

There will be Door Prizes, Costume Contest, Photo Ops with prints available on site and Zombie Prom King and Queen crowning !! Fear Fair is even whipping out the HUGE searchlight that people will see for miles around!!!
...... a true night to dismember!

Come join the frightful fun and be part of this first of it's kind party for Seymour, Indiana!!

City Blood's Transworld Video!

Experience the sights and sounds of the annual Halloween & Attractions Show in St. Louis, MO with this exciting video.

Land of Illusion Goes Hollywood!

Land of Illusion in Middletown, OH has opened its studios and backlot to local film companies and beyond. Currently the movie "The Funhouse Massacre" is filming on location at the scream park. The film stars Robert Englund and Clint Howard. Filming will end on April 11th. Land of Illusion is working with FilmDayton and the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Film Commission to get the word out on their location for filming movies, TV shows, etc. Hollywood has made its home at Land of Illusion.

Please visit www.landofillusion.com for more info.

Haunts Open Friday The 13th!

Factory of Terror in Canton, Ohio will be open Friday, March 13th and Saturday, March 14th from 8 - 11 pm. Tickets are $25 per person. Friday will include the fully operational haunt while Saturday is an exclusive behind the scenes event. St. Patrick's Day goodies will be given out on both days including a free t-shirt on Saturday.

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

Fright Manor in Indianapolis, Indiana will be open this Friday the 13th from 7:30 pm - 10 pm. Explore this frightening haunt in the pitch black darkness. Tickets are only $10 per person and you can go through as many times as you want until they close.

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

Knox County Poorhouse For Sale!

The old Knox County Poorhouse that used to be home to The House of Nightmares haunted attraction many years ago is now for sale. You can have a local landmark for the low low price of $69,000. This is definitely a fixer upper. Click on the link below for more info.

http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/7516-Johnstown-Rd-Mount-Vernon-OH-43050/2104990806_zpid/

The Transworld Countdown Is On!

Click on the following link to see how much time is left before the trade show floor opens for business.
http://www.timeanddate.com/countdown/generic?iso=20150319T10&p0=605&msg=Transworld+2015

Will You Survive Camping With Zombies?

Will you survive the Zombie Apocalypse at Cedar Rock Haunted Trail in Beanblossom, Indiana? Take part in a unique overnight survival experience where you will come face to face with the living dead. Tickets are $49 a person or $44 for groups of 4 or more. Zombie Apocalypse takes place on Friday, April 17th and Saturday, April 18th.

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

Haunt Valentine's Day Events

Enjoy hanging out with your valentine onValentine's Day weekend at some frightening haunts. Below is a listing of some of these heart stopping events.

Bloody Valentine and Zombie Prom will take place Friday, February 13th and Saturday the 14th at Scream Acres Ct in Covington, KY. www.cincyscreams.com 

Love is in The Scare Valentine's Weekend will take place Friday, February 13th and Saturday the 14th at The Fear Experience in Cleveland, OH. www.thefearexperience.com 

Factory of Terror in Canton, OH will be open on Friday, February 13th, Friday, March 13th and Friday, November 13th. Get ready for true terror at Factory of Terror. Tickets are $25 except for November when it's $26. It goes from 8 - 11 pm. For more info, please visit www.fotohio.com.

Fright Manor in Indianapolis, IN will be open Friday, February 13th and Saturday, February 14th (Valentine's Day). Tickets are $15 a person and the hours are 7:30 - 10:30pm. For more info, please visit www.frightmanor.com.

Paranormal Investigations, Tarot Card Readings and one on one time with Mediums will be available at Wells Township Haunted House in Brilliant, Ohio. This overnight stay takes place on Friday, February 13th. It's 9 pm - 5 am and tickets are $20 a person or $30 a couple. Call 304-479-5021 to make reservations. Space is limited. Please visit www.wellstownshiphauntedhouse.com for more info on the haunt.