Summer is here. That means sunshine, pool parties, barbecued hot dogs, sweet watermelon and, if you’re lucky enough to live in southern California, it also means it’s time for Midsummer Scream, the biggest Halloween-and-horror-themed convention in the west!  And Horrorbuzz was there to bring you all the latest on the subject of scares.

Winchester Mystery House is located in San Jose and has been designated a California historical landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s also, presumably, haunted.  Surprisingly, it was only in the past few years that it has been turned into a Halloween season event that tries to scare and spook the people touring the twisty mansion.

Walter Magnuson (left) and Pete Overstreet

General Manager Walter Magnuson and Artistic Director Peter Overstreet kicked Midsummer Scream off with a detailed presentation about the house, its history, and its future as spook central.

Magnuson began the show with a quick history of the house. Built with no plans and many architectural oddities, he spoke of the house being “a real marvel,” his voice betraying his sense of pride and accomplishment.  Recently, thirty additional rooms were opened to tours (some had been locked for so long there was no key!) showing that they are always refurbishing, reviewing, and renewing the house.

Magnuson spoke warmly about his trip back to Connecticut, where the Winchesters are buried, for a re-dedication of little Annie Winchester’s gravestone. It had been stolen and its replacement was paid for via a fundraising effort by the locals. He has great respect and awe for this property and the people who lived there (live there still? hehehe…) and that’s always nice to see.

Overstreet then steered the conversation towards autumn and the arrival of the newest version of last year’s popular event: Halloween Candlelight Tours. The theme this year is “The 13th Door.” As you walk through the house, you will pass through 13 different doors. If you go through them in the right order, and during a lightning storm (you will and it will be) then the dead will begin to activate. The two gentlemen brought an actual door from the house and  demonstrated the effect of lightning upon it, with appropriately spooky results. The theme is a great match to the house, and I can’t wait to visit.

The event runs for 26 nights this year (hey kids, what’s 13 times 2? uh huh…) and tickets will be on sale soon.