Scary Farm 50th Anniversary Panel Reveals from Midsummer Scream

Midsummer Scream in Long Beach was the place to be this weekend as it offered haunt fans an indepth look all things Halloween for 2023. With the highly anticipated 50th anniversary of Knott’s Scary Farm this year, the hour long panel alluded to many fan favorites of the past but left the guests in attendance with more questions than answers. Hosted by Knott’s Scary Farm Historian and haunt writer/director Ted Dougherty, the panel included appearances by attraction designer Jon Cooke, Knott’s Berry Farm Park Decor Manager Jeff Shadic, and the ever so talented Knott’s Berry Farm Product Development Manager Karl Busche among others. Normally we would have been treated with a new maze announcement or two, renderings and props but this panel took a different approach and will reveal more during a special preview event happening next month at the park.

Hinting aside with no spoilers, here’s what they did share about the 50th Anniversary of Scary Farm running select nights from September 21 Thru October 31. Tickets are on sale now!

Interactive Lantern Adds Another Element of Scares

New innovation for Scary Farm’s 50th. Guests will have an opportunity to experience more inside and outside the mazes this year. Interactive lanterns will be available for purchase that will activate over 50 interactive experiences using RFID technology. Each lantern comes with a ghostly map marking the interaction points throughout Knott's Scary Farm where the lantern can awaken the spirits.

Hope you aren't afraid of spiders because that's just one of the activations that interfaces with these Lanterns.

The History of Knott’s Scary Farm: Updated 50th Anniversary Edition

“The History of Knott’s Scary Farm,” will be on-sale and is an updated version of Ted Dougherty’s book, “Knott’s Halloween Haunt: A Picture History,” which was released for Knott’s Scary Farm’s 40th anniversary. The new updated version for the 50th anniversary will feature updated content covering the past 10 years of Scary Farm. Dougherty will graciously be in attendance signing copies of his book on select nights during this year’s Scary Farm inside The Emporium. This limited edition book will be available at Knott’s Berry Farm and the online marketplace at Knotts.com.

All New! Legacy Haunt & Museum

The former Emporium located within the Marketplace is being transformed into the Legacy Haunt Store & Museum. This new mixed offering will be open during the day to shop and explore while offering guests some amazing photo opportunities with specially created photo opps from past haunts. During Scary Farm, it will be exclusively accessed from within the park as a walk thru experience.

Merchandise Fit for a 50th

Knott’s and park goers alike love their merchandise and the 50th will have a trove to choose from this haunt. There will be a brand new limited edition Tiki Mug, 21 different shirt designs, a Scary Farm Loungefly Bag and 50 pins in honor of the past 50 years just to name a few.

There will also be an all new edition of the parks take on Momooply, “Scary Farm-Opoly”, featuring characters and personalities from the past 50 years including Elvira, Mistress of the Dark!

The Keeper Photo Credit: The FUNnel Cake Blog

New Character in Tribute to Horror Host Sinister Seymour

The 50th will feature a new character known as The Keeper. This new character is in honor of the Late-night horror host Larry Vincent, aka Sinister Seymour. He will serve as an MC of sorts for this years haunt. More details to come.

All New Take on The Scary Farm Maze Reveal Event

SCARY FARM 50: NIGHTMARES REVEALED EVENT Will be held on August 24 from 7pm-10pm. Knott’s Scary Farm will unearth the secrets of the 50th anniversary haunt like never before. Forgoing the previous passholder exclusive formatted events of the past, this year will be open to anyone who can manage to secure one of the very limited tickets that will go on sale July 31 at 10am. Cost $20 More info HERE

And Finally… Will The Hanging Return?

A staple of the haunt since 1976, it was sunsetted last . Upon discussing this fan favorite Parks said “But who knows.”, “But it sounds like a good idea.” alluding that The Hanging could return in 2023 but nothing was officially announced, guess we will have to wait and see..

KNOTT’S SCARY FARM Select Nights Sept. 21 - Oct. 31, 2023

Knott’s Scary Farm is the longest-running and most haunting Halloween theme park event in Southern California. With 50 years of nightmares, unimaginable scares and innovative thrills, Knott’s Scary Farm has left no tomb unearthed, no crypt un-rattled and no fear untouched.

Experience the culmination of 50 years of terror in the fully transformed theme park, with uniquely haunted mazes and attractions, sinister shows, and more than 1,000 horrifying creatures lurking in the fog and hiding across every inch of the park. Tickets start at just $59

Knott’s Scary Farm is not recommended for children under 13. All guests, regardless of age, need to have their own paid admission ticket.

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