Yesterday creepies and crawlies from all over southern California awoke from their morbid slumber to the first hints of Halloween 2017 at the 5th Annual SpookShow  presented by Halloween Club in La Mirada. Last year the free annual event drew over 15,000 fans of Halloween to come celebrate the spooky holiday. Guests stroll a macabre farmer’s market of vendors, food, music, make up demonstrations, and even food trucks, reveling in the love for the Halloween and Haunt season.

If there were any place that most aptly demonstrates the adage, “Halloween is a lifestyle” it would be this annual event. In the middle of February, far from any hint of a fog machine or latex mask, show producer Dora Alfaro orchestrates a FREE event bringing together a community in need of a little attention. With just a little encouragement and a place to come together, the annual Spookshow serves as the first time a community of haunters, monsters, and haunt family has had a chance to get together after the chilly hibernation of the holidays.

What follows is a collection of pics from the event. All of the freaks were out, reveling in their eccentricity and affection for the dark. 

Being a Coulrophobic, I can’t seem to shake the clowns. They love me. (Secretly I do too)

Cosplay

Kind of like a deathly Dapper Day, many show up in their own custom made outfits that are, in short, stunning.

Of course the cos-play was AMAZING too.

Vendors

Artists and vendors from the local community are out sharing their work.

Haunt Family

What struck me yesterday was the real sense of belonging and camaraderie.  Many of us had not seen each other since the close of Haunt season 2016.  

At the end of the day we all got to connect with our Haunt Family, be sick and twisted, and remember why we are halloween people to begin with. We embrace the dark, the odd, the absurd, and demand people wave their freak flag proudly. We find similarity in our diversity and our love for a scarier tomorrow.

Thank you Halloween Club, Dora Alfaro, and the staff for all off your hard work in putting this wonderful event together.  It’s a great way for all of us to reconnect and keep going.