ScareLA returned to Pasadena in sunny Southern California this weekend, flooding the streets near the convention center with zombies, demons, ghosts, and monsters of every size and stripe. Launched originally in 2013, the show is dedicated to the celebration of all things horror and Halloween and draws in artists, filmmakers, manufacturers, and die-hard fans of the macabre, right down to legions of horror cosplayers that took over both halls and spread across to the mall food court, infesting the local Rubio’s with a vengeance.
There were a dozen haunted houses offering some blood chilling sneak peeks of what fall has to offer, rows of ghoulish exhibits, celebrity panels, performances by local horror themed theatre companies and musicians, hands on workshops on set building, costume creation, and animatronics, interactive games, and a screening room teasing terrifying new releases and attractions. Professional demos of makeup took up a great deal of the show, with people lining up to get made over into nightmarish visions from the depths of hell.
Here’s a look at the scariest, the most sublime, and the weirdest things the show had to offer!
What better way to enter a convention about Halloween than through a large pumpkin?
An eager fan invited us into the event.
Lots of fans just showed up in their own creations, like this horror loving man in a woman’s dress and stockings. Protip: Next time shave your legs?
What’s creepier than twins? Nothing, as these Sinister 2 “prove” once and for all!
Evil Santa, the main character in upcoming slasher horror movie All Through The House. Check out the trailer here.
Another eager fan excited to get in and show off her custom costume
The two fine gentlemen were more than happy to pose with anyone brave enough to stand between them
Any chance Master Splinter has an evil alter ego? Looks like we found him!
Professional model getting made up for the big day
There were no shortage of makeup and special effects artists on the show floor
Demons openly wandered among the living at Scare LA, this one having taken advantage of the two for one deal on human heads. Any excuse to shop, right ladies?
For those who lack the patience to sit through hours of extensive makeup there were plenty of uniquely terrifying masks
Being able to see the various stages of construction brought an extra touch of magic to the event. The experts at Bone Yard Effects pulled out all stops! Check out more of their work at http://www.boneyardfx.com/
Fans were also able to sign up for a hellish makeover at various booths at the show for a nominal fee
Annabelle was at the show looking for a new home to haunt. Also available for purchase were Billy the Jigsaw Doll and IT!
I’m fairly certain the scare student has become the scare master!
Even the janitors at the show were dressed to impress
Corpsy from Girls and Corpses magazine had Sid Haig aka Captain Spaulding from House of 100 Corpses and The Devil’s Rejects sign copies of his latest issue for an eager crowd of fans.
Another amazing ghoul dressed up in his finest for the big show.
Believe it or not this is simply a very convincing table accessory and not an actual demon in a brand new human suit set loose on Earth.
There were worlds hidden within worlds in the main hall. This one included a troll demanding tolls and posing for pictures
This Devil’s Rejects Posse was more than willing to pose with eager fans. They got a big surprise right after this shot when they ran into the “real” Captain Spaulding.
It just wouldn’t be a true horror convention without an appearance from Leatherface.
The Southland Ghostbusters were on hand, but severely outnumbered!
If you ever see this skull faced Santa coming down your chimney turn and run.
This realistic statue will make a perfect addition to some Halloween obsessed homeowner this coming Samhain
The team at Mad Monster Masks were enjoying themselves a little too much for comfort.
I never did find out who he was, but the enthusiasm was at eleven as this green haired gem posed for an endless series of pictures.
Medusa never looked so good
Fans lined up to try out the various haunted houses were treated to a live set by The Jimmy Psycho Experiment.
Dread Central was on hand with one of the best looking booths at the event full of free swag!
Just your average zombie fallout booth. Nothing to see here.
The Archbishop of West Hell displays the devil’s stigmata as proof of his infernal calling
Trick R Treat Sam was my absolute favorite cosplay of the show, hands down!
The Demonic Duo
A demonic fortune teller with Salacious Crumb on her shoulder stopped this Daryl cosplayer for a photo op! He didn’t even have a crossbow. SMH.
The evil geniuses at Imaginerick were on hand with their best work
Comics were few and far between at the show for some reason. This vendor stayed busy with vintage horror comics and a dose of The Walking Dead throw in for good measure.
A series of fine masks available from Inferno Effects.
Skull Shoppe was on hand to offer the finest human skulls available.
Fans pose with the cast of All Through the House, which releases this month.
This eager jester was more than happy to show off his newest costume.
Monster Elementary creator Nicholas Doan Monster poses in front of his banner. Monster Elementary is an all ages, comedy adventure graphic novel featuring five monster children based on classic monster movie archetypes.
Overly excited fan and assistant to Pig Doc.
The Pig Doctor himself offering to do free work on anyone crazy enough to let him cut them.
Spare body parts on display.
The other Pumpkin King.
Fans were encouraged to sit and pose for pictures with the bloody arm then post them on social media.
MUD Make Up School let Scare LA fans know they weren’t playing around! See more of their stuff.
The Carnevale Obscura store brought this extraordinary Pinhead bust, and surprised Elvira too!
Curls of smoke wafted from the lid and the mouth of the skull for maximum creep out factor!
Just one of the interactive photo displays, this one courtesy of the makers of the Haunted Mansion.
Either he spent hours crafting this spot on look or he got in a car accident next to the Pasadena Convention Center and wandered in.
Hordes of zombies roamed the show floor threatening to eat fans who got too close. Luckily these were Romero zombies and not the World War Z variety with super speed, so they were easy to avoid.
Caught this merry prankster near the Haunted Hayride display, gas can in hand.
Shhhh….You had me at evil clown.
Ghost Rider cosplay was spot on, save for the flaming skull.
Putting on the final touches before unleashing this monster into the crowd.
This clever joker wasted no time clowning for the camera.
Scream Team hard at work on a demonically possessed child.
The devil himself enjoying a plate of hot nachos while his horns are attached.
Scare LA was fun for the whole family!
Hello Mr. Pumpkin! Please don’t eat me!
Leatherface sneaks up on an unsuspecting fan.
