Adults Stepping Up Halloween Celebrations And Spending

Good news folks (for our beloved holiday).... this news just in...

Halloween, it seems, is returning to its fifth century Celtic roots.

Back then it was adults, not children, who dressed in costumes to ward off the spirits bent on snatching their souls. Now, in the past few years, adults have increasingly begun reclaiming Halloween from the kids.That's turned out to be exceptionally good news for retailers. Even though the stock market lately is lot more scary than frolicking grown-ups dressed as witches or devils, people plan to spend more money than ever this year on Halloween, according to a survey by the National Retail Federation.

Consumers are expected to spend $6 billion on the holiday this year, an all-time high — $67 a person, on average, up from $65 last year.

And more adults than ever say they plan to celebrate — 65 percent, compared with 59 percent a year ago, the survey showed.

What gives? For months, consumers have been spooked by the economic downturn and have been cutting back on all types of spending. Retailers are bracing for dismal Christmas and holiday sales, projected to be the weakest since 1991.

But analysts are predicting a happy, prosperous Halloween.

"Halloween is fun. It's a 'throw away all your cares and be a kid again type of holiday.' People really need that, what with the stock market and Wall Street," said Pam Goodfellow, senior analyst at BIGresearch, a Worthington, Ohio-based consumer research firm.

So if you can't afford to cruise the high seas this year, you can at least dress like a pirate.

Click here for the rest of the story and CELEBRATE...it is THE thing to do!

Mark Harvey

(one person guaranteed to celebrate Halloween EVERY year)

Gyro's "4D Fear Factory" 20 Years of Fear

Gyro's "4D Fear Factory" 20 Years of Fear
Beginning October 9 and continuing weekends through November 1, Waterworld California will be transformed into a terrifying haunt as GYRO's popular Bay Area haunted universe takes up residence at the East Bay water park location. Well known as the region's most popular and scary Halloween event, GYRO's is boosting up the fright with an all new 4D Fear Factory including three separate haunted attractions, all included with admission. With more than 20 years of professional experience in delivering live haunted attractions, GYRO's has added a fourth dimension of fear this year, making typical 3D haunted houses seem tame.
"Only those who seriously want to be transported to a ghoulish destination should explore the new 4D Fear Factory at Waterworld California," said Waterworld California spokesperson, Cory Moore. "The professional staff at GYRO's has created a realistic experience that ranges from campy and creepy to seriously twisted."

The new 4D Fear Factory event includes a world of chills including:
-- 4D Underworld - A 4D haunted experience exploring the dark underbelly world of vampires, werewolves, spiders, bats and much more featuring traditional scares and integrated high level technology from Kerner Mobile Technologies. Guests will wear polarized glasses to experience the full 4D experience complete with the sounds, scents and special effects that accompany your worst nightmares.

-- Horrorwood Theatre - Come re-experience the horrors of Halloweens past with unforgettable movie characters such as Freddy, Jason, Leatherface and others as you greet them face-to-face in a seemingly inescapable fright maze. This isn't your typical Halloween Trick-Or-Treat party.

-- Sleepaway Camp Massacre - Remember those days at summer camp? Laughing with your new friends, being out by the lake and having food fights in the cafeteria? How about the camp where you were running for your life from a serial killer? Relive this cult classic film where no one in camp is safe. Also, see clips from the new Return to Sleepaway Camp movie.

-- Action 3D Intergraded 3D gaming - Control your own destiny in the ultimate 3D gaming experience. This realistic gaming brings out the "on-the-edge-of-your-seat thrills" that can only be experienced in 3D. Play at your own risk ...

Additional 4D Fear Factory entertainment will include the live stage show, Stryker's Vengeance; Pirate's Reef Rave Party with nightly DJ's; Deadman's Cove outdoor scare zone; Action 3D ultimate gaming experience; and VIP Voodoo Lounge.

"The addition of a Halloween themed event during the month of October gives us the opportunity to host a world-class event and utilize our large waterpark venue during a non-traditional time of the year," added Moore. "We couldn't be more thrilled about bringing this world renowned Halloween event to Waterworld California."

Admission to GYRO's 4D Fear Factory is free with the purchase of a 2009 Waterworld California Season Pass, on sale now at http://www.waterworldcalifornia.com/ for just $39.99. Waterworld California Season Passes offer unlimited visits to Northern California's largest waterpark all season long plus, for each 2009 Season Pass purchased, guests receive one free admission to GYRO's new 4D Fear Factory. Free 4D Fear Factory admission is available online up until three hours prior to daily haunt opening.
Operating dates and times include October 9-12, 16-19, 23-26 and October 30 - November 1. Thursdays and Sundays 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays 7:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. midnight.

Check out Gyro's "4D Fear Factory", America's Premier Haunted House at Waterworld California, Concord, CA . October 9-12, 16-19, 23-26, 30-November 1! Sundays & Thursdays 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM Fridays & Saturdays 7:00 PM to 12 midnight Halloween Night 7:00 PM to 12 midnight - 1.866.901.FEAR (3327) online at 3dfearfactory.com

Mark Harvey