Best Group Halloween Costume 2016

Taste The Rainbow - Best Group Halloween Costume 2016. 

Winner Of The 2016 Best Group Halloween Costume:

The Skittles Candy Girls - Taste The Rainbow!
This is not only the best group Halloween costume of 2016, butt the best in the history of the Halloween Dark Zone.

Happy Halloween

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Worst Haunted House Entrance Ever

Worst Haunted House Entrance Ever

The Entrepreneurs of this Halloween Haunted Adventure were puzzled why attendance was at an all time low this Halloween season. The weather was perfect. The location was a well on a well traveled and known highway. The advertising budget was doubled. However, upon further inspection, the haunt entrance, was not so perfect.

All that was needed to complete the disaster was a few clowns wandering around the grounds.

Happy Halloween

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The Blair Nun Project

The Blair Nun Project

Quiz Time: What is more terrifying?

A) A few days hiking in the Black Hills in Burkittsville, Maryland filming a local documentary about a 18th century witch?

B) Spending eight years in the 1960's at a Catholic grade school run by brides of Jesus, also known as Catholic Nuns?


Happy Halloween

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Must Be The Season Of The Witch

When I look out my window, 
Many sights to see, 
And when I look in my window, 
So many different people to be.
That it's strange, so strange, 
You've got to pick up every stitch,
You've got to pick up every stitch,
You've got to pick up every stitch, 
Mmnn, must be the season of the witch, 
Must be the season of the witch, yeah, 
Must be the season of the witch.
(Lyrics and song by Donovan)

The Dark Zone Returneths.... With nasty big pointy teeth.
It's October 2016 and that means not only have the tree leaves fallen and changed colors but also signals that Halloween is right around the corner. The Dark Zone has plenty of tricks and treats for you this October guaranteed to scare the Helloween out of you. And here is your first fright. In just over a month, the most powerful nation in the world, The United States Of America will have either Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton as Commander In Chief. There is nothing more scarier than that. Good Night. Pleaseant dreams!

However, until that fateful November election day, please check back here at the Dark Zone for updates throughout the month on everything pertaining to Halloween including sexy costumes, huge melons, ghost stories, haunted house critiques, urban legends, and our own special blend of Halloween humor.  

Halloween Fact #1: The Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton costume will be the #1 and #2 Halloween costume this year.  

Happy Halloween

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Happy Halloween 2013

Happy Halloween 2013

All the leaves are dead,
And the sky is black.
I've been for a walk,
On Halloween night.
I'd be safe and warm,
If it weren't Hollows Eve.
Halloween nightmare,
On such a witching day.

It's 12 midnight and Halloween is officially over and in the books. Here in Youngstown, Ohio, the weather did not cooperate as it rained during the witching hours of trick or treat. The rain had washed the magic out of the air.

As usual these days, kids have lost the art of trick or treat. Many of the several hundred kids that braved the rain still could not grasp the concept of trick or treat. They walked up to the porch and just looked at me. They did not open their bags. Or say trick or treat. Or make any type of motion. Many of them reminded me of a young Michael Meyers from the Halloween movie fame. The small child staring blankly into space, not saying a word.

Anyway, only 22 days left to go. It's been a long ride but it's almost here. And thank you all.

Happy Halloween

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Ripleys Haunted Adventure Gatlinburg 2013

Located in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Ripleys Haunted Adventure draws huge crowds in the month of October as hordes of the living come to get scared by hordes of the undead. Just inside the entrance to the haunted house is an excellent prop, the Headless Horseman. Great addition to the haunt as people wait in line to enter. 

A unique entrance to the haunt. You pile into a steel cage and the cage slowly rises to the top. From there you are met by a sinister being and directed to the entrance of the haunt.  The haunt itself was very well thought out and put together. There were plenty of "Live" action and actors inside to interact with the group.  You went through as a group, usually 5-7 people per group. It is pitch dark in some area's but it is easy to navigate.   Tip: They will try to sell you a fiber optic light to help you get through the haunt. When you need it the most, you are instructed to turn it off inside the haunt.   One thing missing this year from years past. The "Monster Parade." On Fridays and Saturdays in October, at 6:17 pm, the monsters in all their costumes would meander up the Parkway from the Star Car Museum to Ripleys and interact with the patrons waiting to get in or standing around watching Stumpy scare people walking by. The parade is no more. All in all, well worth the money. 

Ripleys Haunted Adventure

Smart Ass Barker

Ripleys On The Parkway

Ripleys Haunted Adventure

Ripleys Headless Horseman

Ripleys Combo

Happy Halloween

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Hotel Conneaut Ghost Elizabeth In A Bikini

Hotel Conneaut Ghost Elizabeth 

The Grassy Knoll Institute paranormal investigators returned once again to Hotel Conneaut to document evidence that the elusive Matron of the Manor, Ghost Elizabeth, is still roaming the hallways after her tragic death in 1943.

Last evening we filmed several hours on the third floor in total darkness with nothing registering on our equipment. Perhaps Ghost Elizabeth was now at peace.

We were about to call it an evening when the room began to slowly glow. The light slowly lit the surrounding area illuminating the hallway and to our amazement a figure of a woman began to materialize right before our eyes. We snapped pictures quickly but in a matter of seconds Elizabeth with gone.

Again, strong proof that Hotel Conneaut is haunted by the Ghost of Bride Elizabeth.

Happy Halloween

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Puff The Magic Dragon Video

This ain't your 1960's Puff The Magic Dragon. It's more on the lines of your Game Of Thrones dragons . 

Happy Halloween

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Youngstown Ohio Zombie Crawl 2013

Last night a horde of Zombies gathered in Youngstown, Ohio at the B&O Station located at the bottom of the "Mr. Peanut" bridge. The Youngstown police department stormed the area in hopes to contain the horde. At first the police were able to contain the zombies but there were just to many of them. With police sirens blaring, the zombie horde broke the police lines and began slowly crawling up the bridge and descended upon the helpless city. This is the only known video of the walking dead horde. 

Happy Halloween

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Proper Trick Or Treat Etiquette

Proper Trick Or Treat Etiquette

I was an 8 year old kid in the golden age of Halloween (Circa 1968) when trick or treating kids made off with quite a haul of candy. It was a time when the candy bars were full size. (They would now be considered jumbo size in today's standards)
A time when almost every single house in the neighborhood had their porch lights on passing out candy to the kids.
A time when kids had to go home with their Halloween bags so full just to reload and go hit more streets and houses for candy.
A time when trick or treating hours were 6pm to 10pm. (Totally unheard of in this day and age)
A time when parents would release their children into the cool night air and rarely would you see adults patrolling the sidewalks of each street block.
A time when later that evening when glowing pumpkins were snatched from front porches and smashed in the streets.
A time when toilet paper decorated neighbors tree's. (Sometimes the one's who had the audacity to actually hand out apples)
And a time when children and parents who passed out the candy adhered to the proper trick or treating etiquette.

Just what is the proper Halloween trick or treat etiquette? It was very simple. Young kids, 13 years old and younger, dressed in an actual Halloween costume, would approach a house with the porch light on. The owners of the house would be in the ready to pass out candy. When the kid came up on the porch he or she would scream out, "TRICK OR TREAT!" At this point, the adults would pass out the loot to the kids. And on to the next house.

Modern Day Trick Or Treat Etiquette

In the modern time of Halloween (3rd Millennium and beyond) the negotiating of trick or treating has become a lost art.

Today, kids barely get enough candy to set off a diabetic coma.
Today, candy bars are mini, smaller than bite size.
Today, almost every single house in the neighborhood have their porch lights off not passing out candy to the kids.
Today, kids equipped with a small bag of plastic pumpkin can go the entire evening and never have to go home and reload.
Today, trick or treating hours if they are lucky are 5pm to 7pm.
Today, parents patrol the streets keeping an eye on their children every step of the way.
Today, we have to throw our pumpkins in the trash as the kids now lost the art of pumpkin smashing.
Today, toilet paper decorated neighbors tree's is a very rare occurrence.

Today, the proper Halloween trick or treat etiquette is right out the window. Kids, and I use that word lightly, some are college age begging for candy. Many kids don't wear Halloween costumes anymore. Many kids walk up the driveway, stop, and stare at you. They don't open their bag, say trick or treat, not a single sound. They just stare at you. I play along asking them why they are here. They don't have an answer. The parents don't even help the kids out. I make the kids wait until they say something.

And sometimes, adults want candy. They walk up the drive and ask what I got for candy. I tell them to go to the store.

Happy Halloween

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Interactive Haunted House Video

Inside the Dark Zone haunt, there was a booth with an interactive haunted house. Encased in a dark booth lit by black light, neon colored painted ghosts and goblins laid in waiting. Your only defense against the demons was a gun. Each time you hit a target... Well have a look see at the video.

Happy Halloween

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Catholic School Girl Uniform For Halloween

Sexiest Catholic School Girl Uniform 2013

Remember back when kids dressed up as their favorite monster, Frankenstein, Dracula, the Wolfman, the devil, or Cinderella, or a Princess. Nowadays, you have to look really hard to find these costumes as kids now opt for a modern more adult view on Halloween costumes.

Case in point:
What would Halloween be without a sexy Catholic school girl uniform? Take a look around this halloween, you will see many of the school girl and very few if any of the others.

Sidenote: Someone ought to create a Miley cyrus tongue costume. It would be a big hit.

Happy Halloween

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Zombie Smoked And Electrocuted Video

Walking the show floor at the St. Louis Halloween trade show I happened upon this interesting display. A caged zombie in a smoky environment trying to escape. Watch the shocking results. 

  Happy Halloween

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Farmers Daughter Melons

Farmers Daughter Halloween Melons

With all this talk of a strong 2013 harvest of Halloween melons, it is only appropriate that I introduce you to the farmers daughter who cultivates all the dark Zone melons.

Happy Halloween

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Never Pull Over In A Horror Movie

Never Pull Over Or Out In A Halloween Horror Movie

So here is the scene. You have viewed this many times. You are driving down a deserted dirt road when out of nowhere a gorgeous half naked woman on the side of the road flags you down.

Take a good look around. You think, what could possibly go wrong if you stop to assist the damsel in distress? Here are the possibilities.

#1 After you help her, she will thank you by inviting you over for dinner. Her house is just down yonder down the road. Several hours later, you will be the main course.

#2 As soon as you get out of your vehicle, she will produce a shotgun from out of nowhere and demand you get on the ground. Seconds later the car coming the opposite direction will arrive with her three quite large cannibal brothers spilling out of the car. And they all look mighty hungry.

#3 You assist the damsel in distress, she strips down nude, makes wild passionate love to you, and then she hears the voice in her head telling her to jam the hunting knife she has hidden in her nap sack into your back. And she always listens to the voices.

Halloween Safety Tip #2:
If there is just one thing you have learned from watching countless hours of horror movies, it is to never stop to help the half naked gorgeous woman. Never. Ever.

Happy Halloween

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Vlad The Impaler Video

Vlad The Impaler, better known as Dracula, makes a sensational entrance as the cement tombstone looking doors swing open revealing Vlad in all his glory. Vlad was at the entrance of the Dark Zone at the St. Louis Halloween trade show. Vlad was a perfect welcome prop. And, Vlad doesn't sparkle like those other sissy vampires you see on TV these days. 

Happy Halloween

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Best Super Hero Halloween Costume 2013

Best Halloween Melons Super Hero Costume 

Halloween costume Contest #4
I don't really know what super hero costume this blonde model is showcasing, but it certainly suits her. (Get it!)

Happy Halloween

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Robert Pattinson Free From The Bitch

Robert Pattinson Finally Free From That Bitch

It is the year 2033 and Robert Pattinson is pursuing one of his favorite past times, skydiving.
It took him five Twilight movies to get close to Kristen, and 20 years and counting to rid himself from the leach.

Geronimo!!!

Happy Halloween

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Halloween Gate Keeper Welcomes You Video

If you own a Halloween haunted house or haunted attraction, the Gatekeeper is a perfect entrance prop. This prop is huge, well manufactured, and programmable. The voice is a very deep sinister sounding as he collects the souls of the of the patrons waiting to enter. Add a black light and the setting is fantastic. 

Happy Halloween

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Star Trek Melons - Alice Eve

Star Trek Melons Alice Eve

The Dark Zone excitedly introduces yet another 2013 Halloween Melons category, Sci-Fi Melons and Alice Eve is easily best in show. Eve portrayed Dr. Carol Marcus in Star Trek Into Darkness, the rebooted Star Trek series.

We look forward to seeing plenty more of Alice Eve in the future.

Happy Halloween

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