Around this time every year, Black Gate photog Chris Z and I pack up the car for the 10-hour-round-trip from Chicago to St. Louis to attend the TransWorld Haunted Attractions Show. This event not only kicks off the spooky season for the new year but never fails to produce at least one memorable adventure. From Fireball shots to epic snowstorms, to celebrity encounters, I can always count on our annual road trip to produce stories that will easily carry me through a year’s worth of cocktail-party small talk.

This year was no exception.

Seen at the TransWorld Halloween & Attractions Show 2025. Photos by Chris Z

For a start, our odyssey begins with me picking up Chris Z at 5am to ensure we are in St. Louis when the show doors open at 10. This has been the standard operating procedure for the eighteen years we have been covering this show, except for the couple of years TransWorld was held here in Chicago. Every year, Chris Z complains about the early pickup time, threatening to show up in his pajamas and sleep the entire five hours; and every year I tell him to nut-up and promise to stock the car with Mountain Dew.

So, last weekend at 5am I roll up into his driveway, noticing there is some kind of cord laying in front of his garage door, and remind myself to tell him when he comes to the car. At that moment, the darkness of the suburban neighborhood is shattered by a disco light display worthy of Saturday Night Fever. My stunned brain seized up, my mouth dropped open, and before I could figure out what the heck was happening, the garage door lifted to reveal Chris Z in a giraffe onesy.

As I have no further words to describe this, so here…

Chris Z in a onesy

Yes, apparently Amazon really does have everything.

Chris Z loads his camera gear in the back seat, gets in, and curls up – all in silence. An hour later when we stop to recaffeinate, he strolls into the Starbucks in said onesy and blithely orders like this is something he does every day. To the credit of the baristas, they just looked at each other and kept right on working. Back at the car, Chris Z shed the onesy saying only that it was making him too hot.

…sigh.

 Photos by Chris Z

Now, about the TransWorld show and why thousands of Halloween tradespeople fly from all over North America to get their spooky on in February.

TransWorld is an “industry only” event not open to the public. It brings together professional haunt operators and the suppliers of everything from costumes and makeup, to $20K special effects.

Ever wonder where amusement parks like Cedar Point and Great America, or big-name haunted attractions get their gear? TransWorld is the place, and with the haunt industry estimated at $30 billion annually, the vendors who have booths at TransWorld are the absolute real deal. Also, since creating and shipping all these scares takes time, the flurry of activity happens in February to ensure everything is in place by fall.

Walking into TransWorld, held at the Americas Center is stepping into 500,000 square feet of creativity and horror. Imagine rows upon rows of booths showcasing hyper-realistic props, cutting-edge animatronics, custom soundscapes, and theatrical-grade special effects. One of the highlights of each year is getting an early look at the new technology that keeps the haunted attraction industry fresh and terrifying. Innovations like AI-driven scares, augmented reality overlays, and hyper-detailed silicone masks demonstrate the evolution of horror craftsmanship.

TransWorld is more than just a trade show; it’s a masterclass in the haunt industry. The event features an array of seminars, workshops, and panels led by industry veterans. Topics range from the art of creating compelling narratives for haunted houses to practical advice on marketing, ticketing, and safety protocols.

Seen at TransWorld. Photos by Chris Z

For haunters who want to experience the thrills firsthand, the event hosts live demonstrations and walkthrough attractions. These mini-haunts showcase the latest in set design, scare techniques, and interactive storytelling. Walking through these exhibits is like getting a sneak peek at the nightmares that will soon populate attractions nationwide.

Perhaps the most compelling aspect of TransWorld is the community it fosters. Chris Z and I consider it our annual “family reunion” where we connect with artists we’ve covered for nearly two decades and get the scoop on their newest ventures.

We couldn’t kick off spooky season without checking in with my long-time goth boy-band crushes, Ed and Gavin of Midnight Syndicate. Best known for their dark, atmospheric soundtracks they have become staples in the haunted attraction industry.

Since their formation in 1997, Midnight Syndicate has created the soundtrack for haunt season, providing music for Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights and hosting their own stage show at Cedar Point’s Halloweekends.. We absolutely love Ed and Gavin’s music and were excited to learn they have a new album coming out later this year. We are always honored to get an early listen, so stand by for more.

We also checked in with Brian Demski of Demski Creations. Brian is a seasoned artist with over two decades of specializing in creature special effects, custom prop fabrication, and scenic design. He has contributed to feature films, television, music videos, and haunted attractions, and his work is characterized by a macabre aesthetic, often incorporating steampunk elements. Having first interviewed Brian for Black Gate back in 2011, when I acquired my first Demski original, it has been incredible seeing the evolution of his talent first hand.

Last but never least we had a chance to catch up with John Weisgerber, owner of the Gemini Company. John didn’t have a booth this year, but we loved hearing about his latest creations. The Gemini Company specializes in museum-quality replicas sculpted and/or molded from actual specimens and cast in high quality materials and resins. Gemini pieces can be seen in shows such as American Horror Story and Mysteries at the Museum and I am the proud owner of a very realistic shrunken head which attends all my Teams meetings. Gemini also has a great Etsy page and I’m eyeballing that evil little doll from Trilogy of Terror.

So spooky season 2025 has officially kicked off and I couldn’t be more excited. By the way, I never considered a giraffe to be an element of horror – until now.