Two-level seasonal attraction remembers that adults love Halloween, too…
“It’s Halloween, everyone’s entitled to one good scare.” – Sheriff Leigh Bracket, John Carpenter’s HALLOWEEN (1978)
We’ve made it to the first week of October, when awesome Halloween attractions pop up all over the city. From Mandalay Bay‘s Hallow Reef and Freakling Brothers to HallOVeen at Opportunity Village, there are fun events for every family member. Adults get their share, too, by way of Fetish and Fantasy Ball at Hard Rock Hotel and various costume-contest nights at Strip nightclubs.
Alas, there is very little, if anything, that brings both of these things together into one place…until now. Scare at Town Square is an innovative and elaborate two-story concept at Town Square near McCarran Airport that’s a ground-level all-ages thriller and full-on nightclub madness on level two. Something tells me that this is where you’ll find me several times the season….because, you know, it’s freaking HALLOWEEN!
Scare at Town Square follows a tried-and-true tradition of seasonal pop-ups like Spirit Halloween and Halloween City. Utilizing empty retail spots, they breathe new life into venues that have been ghoulishly abandoned, dusting away most of the cobwebs but perhaps leaving a few spiders intentionally around…
In the case of SCARE, we’re talking about moving into the massive former NECHE Restaurant/Ultra Lounge which has been transformed into “Stage Fright” live entertainment zone, “Zoe Escape Room” and an array of “Selfie Sets.” Drink service and amazing signature cocktails are provided by Born and Raised, the official bar of the Golden Knights.
The main level, once home to Killer Shrimp, is where you’ll find a free family-friendly pumpkin patch, Haunted Maze, Phobia Rooms and a hidden speakeasy. The entire experience encompasses 15,000 square feet of chills, thrills and fun. Yes, this is a pretty big undertaking. And it’s all done on a Hollywood-sized scale with amazing effects, costumes, actors and props. From alien autopsies to a room filled with towering clowns and a 12-foot walking jack-o-lantern, your mind will surely be blown.
Mark Trevino, Bonnie Pascua and John Good (l to r)…
Andrea Dupper (Sales and Marketing) and a sinister Joker…
The concept of Scare at Town Square comes from the creative geniuses at Experience Productions, a local production/management/marketing firm. John Good, Bonnie Pascua and Mark Trevino are behind a wide variety of interactive experiences, production shows, exhibitions and festivals. They’ve brought in my super-ambitious colleague (and animal-rescue activist) Andrea Dupper, who heads up SCARE‘s marketing and sales. Together they’ve delivered what should be the surprise hit of the season.
Fantasy film director Joe Lujan faces his clown phobia…
Heartthrob Mark Justice and “Cole” of Heartbreak Hotel in Concert…
Andrea game me a personal tour this week during a sneak peek that was attending by a wide variety of celebrities, actors, horror/fantasy film director Joe Lujan (the Immortal Wars series). Lujan was accompanied by cast members including mega-hunk model/action star Mark Justice and lovely actress/talk show host Corey Taylor.
Myself with Ricardo Laguna…
Heartbreak Hotel in Concert’s Cole accompanied his daughter to the festivities and joined Justice for a selfie in front of the giant Jack-O-Lantern. BMX pro, philanthropist, model and all-around good guy Ricardo Laguna came by to check out the thrills. Rumor has it that Jason Egan of Saw Escape Room and the legendary Fright Dome at Circus Circus made an appearance as well.
John Di Domenico, Andrea, Michele Rothstein, Ricardo Laguna and Amber Ramsay
No opening would be complete without an appearance by two of the brightest smiles in the city. Award-winning Trump impersonator John Di Domenico enjoyed some fun photo ops with companion Michele Rothstein, whose Balloons With A Twist can be seen at the biggest and most spectacular events in Las Vegas. They and others enjoyed sleight-of-hand by funnyman magician Michael Mayfield.
Brittni makes the best “Witches Brew” in the city…
Throughout SCARE‘s 40 days and nights of…er….scares, there should be plenty of opportunities to see celebrities. Fridays will play host to “FANTASY FRIDAYS”, at 21+ costume party beginning at 10pm. It’s one of various add-on experiences you can enjoy. Rates vary based on weekday/weekend and escape room adventures require advanced reservation.
The attraction runs through November 10th. You can get all the details including hours and pricing by visiting ScareVegas.com. Die-hard Halloween enthusiasts will appreciate the VIP unlimited passes which deliver the entire season’s excitement for only $125.00. Buy online and save 20% by using code “1ST2SCARE”.
Nobody does Halloween like the folks of Las Vegas…even after they’ve passed…
Photos: Sam Novak, Mark Justice, Ira Kuzma, John Good, Andrea Dupper, Michele Rothstein, Ricardo Laguna, Scare at Town Square
VEGAS UNFILTERED BLOG by Sam Novak 