“Dark Arts at Hogwarts™ Castle Premiere Event” Offers Guests an Exclusive Sneak Peek at the All-New Wizarding World-Inspired Light Projection Experience at Universal Studios Hollywood on April 11-12—Before It Opens to the Public
 
First-Look Event Features Coveted After-Hours Access to “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter”
 
Click HERE to Purchase Tickets as Tickets will Sell Out

​Universal City, CA, March 8, 2019 – Universal Studios Hollywood rolls out the red carpet for the “Dark Arts at Hogwarts™ Castle Premiere Event,” a special experience that offers fans a  first look at the new light projection show at “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™” on Thursday, April 11 and Friday, April 12, 2019.

This premium evening event invites guests to be among the very first to experience “Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle” with exclusive, coveted after-hours access to Hogsmeade™ village, where fans can also explore the shops and experience the land’s signature rides, “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™” and “Flight of the Hippogriff™.”

The event’s main attraction is an exclusive first-look at the all-new “Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle” projection display that brings to light an exciting new dimension of sorcery within “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.”  A mesmerizing pageantry of light, music and special effects will unleash the darkest creatures and villains from the Wizarding World, including the powerful Dark wizard Lord Voldemort. 

Guests will be challenged to summon their inner strength and bravery in the face of the all-consuming Dark Arts as some of the awe-inspiring moments and creatures inspired by the films come to life within the majestic light display accompanied by an atmospheric musical score created by John Williams.

Additionally, guests will be treated to a premium catered feast of foods, beverages and desserts as part of this exclusive opportunity.

A new wand will also debut in conjunction with the exclusive event, offering fans a chance to purchase this limited edition memorabilia and add to their wand collection.

Event tickets are on sale now, which includes early entry to Universal Studios Hollywood, and are available to purchase here. Advance purchase is recommended as limited tickets are available, and event nights will sell out.

“Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle” opens to the public on Saturday, April 13 and will continue through Sunday, April 28, 2019 at Universal Studios Hollywood.

More information is available at www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com. Like Universal Studios Hollywood on Facebook and follow @UniStudios on Instagram and Twitter.
 
About Warner Bros. Entertainment: Warner Bros. Entertainment is a global leader in all forms of entertainment and their related businesses across all current and emerging media and platforms.  A Time Warner Company, the fully integrated, broad-based studio is home to one of the most successful collections of brands in the world and stands at the forefront of every aspect of the entertainment industry from feature film, television and home entertainment production and worldwide distribution to DVD, digital distribution, animation, comic books, video games, product, and brand licensing, international cinemas and broadcasting.
 
About Wizarding World: More than two decades ago, a young Harry Potter was whisked onto Platform 9 3⁄4 at King’s Cross Station, and readers everywhere were swept along with him into a magical universe, created by J.K. Rowling. In the years since, the seven Harry Potter bestsellers have inspired eight blockbuster movies, an award-winning stage play, and, more recently, the start of the Fantastic Beasts five-film series. People of all ages have been enthralled by these extraordinary adventures, set within an expanding universe, inspired by the vision of J.K. Rowling.
 
For today’s growing worldwide fan community, and for generations to come, the Wizarding World welcomes everyone to explore more of this magical universe — past, present and future. The Wizarding World also provides fans with an instant, trusted kite-mark of quality and authenticity.
 
Universal Studios Hollywood is The Entertainment Capital of L.A. and includes a full-day, movie-based theme park and Studio Tour. As a leading global entertainment destination, Universal Studios Hollywood delivers highly themed immersive lands that translate to real-life interpretations of iconic movie and television shows. Attractions include “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™” which features a bustling Hogsmeade village and such critically-acclaimed rides as “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” and “Flight of the Hippogriff™”, and the highly-anticipated Summer opening of “Jurassic World—The Ride.”  Other immersive lands include “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem” and “Super Silly Fun Land” as well as “Springfield,” hometown of America’s favorite TV family, located adjacent to the award-winning “The Simpsons Ride™” and DreamWorks Theatre featuring “Kung Fu Panda: The Emperor’s Quest.”  The world-renowned Studio Tour is Universal Studios Hollywood’s signature attraction, inviting guests behind-the-scenes of the world’s biggest and busiest movie and television production studio where they can also experience such thrill rides as “Fast & Furious—Supercharged” and “King Kong 360 3D.” The adjacent Universal CityWalk entertainment, shopping and dining complex also includes the all-new multi-million dollar, redesigned Universal CityWalk Cinema, featuring deluxe recliner seating in screening room quality theatres, and the “5 Towers” state-of-the-art outdoor concert stage.
 
HARRY POTTER characters, names and related indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. J.K. ROWLING`S WIZARDING WORLD™ J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR. (s19)

Are you as excited as we are to find out what experiences the 2019 Halloween Season will hold?!?!?!?  We are bursting with anticipation!!!  August 3, 2019 is quickly approaching and we can't wait for Midsummer Scream to kickoff the Halloween Season!

The amount of information that is exchanged at Midsummer Scream is immeasurable - from the announcements from the big parks, the educational panels, the historical Halloween panels, the vendors selling their wares, the home haunts producing scares in the Hall of Shadows, and so much more celebrating Halloween.  We experienced so much at Midsummer Scream 2018, we couldn't fit it into one podcast!  To hear about our 2018 experiences or to learn more about the event, listen in on Episodes 322 and 323!

DO NOT MISS all that Midsummer Scream has to offer!!!  Buy your tickets, NOW, and  be sure Midsummer Scream is saved on your calendars!

Save 40% off your tickets by using the discount code "MSSPRE."

Take a look at the following Press Release, for more information about what is planned for this amazing celebration of Halloween:

LONG BEACH, CA – Midsummer Scream, the largest Halloween and horror fan convention in the world, returns to Southern California August 3-4 for a monstrous weekend of thrills, chills, and haunting fun. For the first time, Midsummer Scream will occupy the entire Long Beach Convention Center, doubling the show’s size for 2019.

Tickets for Midsummer Scream 2019 are now on sale at MidsummerScream.org including single-day General Admission passes, as well as the very popular limited-edition Gold Bat Weekend Pass, which enables guests to access the show floor and other aspects of Midsummer Scream an hour early each day before the convention opens to the general public; front of line priority access to panel presentations and attractions throughout the venue; a collectible lanyard and credential; and a Gold Bat 2019 enamel pin.

Midsummer Scream is expected to draw over 30,000 fans of all things macabre to Long Beach, where they will find a greatly-expanded show floor featuring more than 300 unique vendors, a children’s activity area, a wide variety of live entertainment performances, and exciting celebrity appearances, including the queen of Halloween, Cassandra Peterson (Elvira, Mistress of the Dark).

Deemed the “gateway to the Halloween season” by fans, Midsummer Scream is proud to announce the highly-anticipated return of Southern California’s largest haunt events to the show for a weekend of world-class presentations, surprises, and major announcements. These industry leaders include Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights, Knott’s Scary Farm, Six Flags Magic Mountain’s Fright Fest, and Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor.

The enormous dark zone, Hall of Shadows, will showcase over a dozen haunted attractions and displays, live stage entertainment, and daily exhibitions by the Decayed Brigade slider team. Guests will enter Hall of Shadows through a foreboding jungle experience created by CalHauntS, and enter the world of “Tiki Terror”, a vendor market featuring a world-class lineup of tiki personalities and manufacturers, including the legendary Tom “Thor” Thordarson, Munktiki mugs and ceramic oddities, and artist Jeff Granito.

With more than 300 artisans and exhibitors, Midsummer Scream’s show floor has doubled in size, featuring unique artwork, props, Halloween accessories, clothing, and makeup supplies. Always keeping guest comfort in mind, Midsummer Scream has again widened the show floor aisles for easier traffic circulation as fans visit their favorite vendors such as Trick or Treat Studios, Kreepsville 666, Bearded Lady’s Mystic Museum, Edyn Rashae Studios, and Dark Delicacies. Among the horrific hustle and bustle on the show floor, fans will also find Midsummer newcomers Madame Tussauds, Crypt TV, and Bloody Mary: Makeup to Die For.

Live entertainment is abundant at Midsummer Scream, from the show floor and Hall of Shadows, to the Theatre Macabre. Returning again this year to delight guests are Force of Nature Productions, Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group, and Jimmy H as the creepy-but-cool Mudd the Magnificent.

This is Midsummer Scream’s fourth year partnering with Kitten Rescue Los Angeles in presenting the Black Cat Lounge, where guests can mix and mingle with adorable felines roaming freely through a decorated play space. The Black Cat Lounge gives guests looking to adopt a pet the perfect opportunity to bond with their new little friends and give them forever homes.

Tickets are now on sale at MidsummerScream.org. More news and information regarding Midsummer Scream 2019 will be announced in the weeks and months ahead.

About Midsummer Scream
Midsummer Scream is presented by David Markland (Executive Director), Gary Baker (Executive Producer), Claire Dunlap (Supervising Producer), and Rick West (Creative Director). Its goal is to showcase the diversity of Southern California’s haunt and horror community as a welcoming beacon for fans around the world to converge on Los Angeles for a weekend of excitement, networking and non-stop spooky fun! Be sure to follow Midsummer Scream on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Periscope for breaking updates and information.

Buena Park, CA (March 2019) – The Knott’s Boysenberry Festival is an annual food-inspired event that celebrates the park’s historic roots by highlighting the little berry that started it all, the boysenberry. This year’s newly-expanded festival will feature over 75 unique boysenberry-inspired creations crafted by the Knott’s culinary team. Guests will have the opportunity to indulge in a tantalizing line up of dishes ranging from savory foods with a boysenberry twist to one-of-a-kind specialty desserts and drinks that can only be found at Knott’s Berry Farm during this time of the year. In addition to the numerous food and drink offerings, the Knott’s Boysenberry Festival offers a wide selection of local crafters, live music, musical stage shows and fun activities for guests of all ages to enjoy. This year’s Boysenberry Festival runs 31 days starting March 29, operating daily through April 28, 2019.
 
This year’s lineup will introduce several new food items including:

• Flavorful boysenberry dry rubbed flank steak topped with boysenberry cream cheese
• Sweet and tangy boysenberry jerk chicken wings
• Hearty boysenberry chili in a fresh-baked boysenberry sourdough bread bowl
• Tender boysenberry pot roast served over rich and creamy boysenberry mashed potatoes
• Grilled boysenberry BBQ chicken skewers served with a zesty boysenberry aioli dipping sauce
• Boysenberry glazed salmon served on mixed greens and topped with a boysenberry vinaigrette
• Spicy boysenberry habanero baked mac and cheese
• Boysenberry jambalaya prepared with chicken, boysenberry sausage and bell peppers served with white rice
• Boysenberry pulled pork tostada topped with creamy coleslaw and boysenberry drizzle
• Boysenberry-lemon hummus served with pita bread
• Grilled boysenberry sausage on a freshly baked roll topped with boysenberry ketchup, relish, and mustard
• Boysenberry elote, a grilled corn on the cob smothered in fresh boysenberry butter, mayo and topped off with cotija cheese
• Fresh-baked boysenberry waffles served with sweet maple boysenberry cream cheese syrup
• Boysenberry cinnamon sugar tortilla crisps served with creamy boysenberry ice cream

A great way to indulge the new boysenberry food items during the festival is by purchasing a tasting card priced at $35 which offers eight tastings from a selection of fourteen boysenberry-inspired dishes. A variety of signature boysenberry items will also be available for purchase a la carte. Tasting cards are available at Knotts.com or at the theme park.
 
Guest can also take home a taste of the boysenberry festival with limited edition merchandise found throughout the park. This year’s new merchandise includes a selection of event apparel, plus new packaged food items perfect for take-home souvenirs like the boysenberry peanut, cashew and pecan brittle,  boysenberry hand-dipped chocolate-covered turtles, graham crackers and honeycomb. The Knott’s Berry Market also features signature boysenberry items like the delicious boysenberry BBQ sauce or the classic jams and preserves. Unique boysenberry inspired artisan products will also be available at the Boysenberry Festival Craft Fair returning with 30 local craft vendors.
 
Entertainment:
Knott’s Boysenberry Festival offers endless entertainment options for the festival goer:

• Tied up in Knott’s! – “Tied Up in Knott’s!” is a tribute art show dedicated to the rich history of Knott’s Berry Farm. Over 30 artists will be contributing 50 pieces of art to the show, which pays homage to Knott’s Berry Farm’s past, present and future in various mediums including: oil paintings, illustrations and digital mixed media. These original pieces will be hung on display at the Wilderness Dance Hall during the duration of the Boysenberry Festival.
• Snoopy’s Boysenberry Jamboree! - Guests are invited to join Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the entire Peanuts Gang in a musical stage show that will have families dancing along at the Calico Mine Stage.
• Old Time Melodrama - Knott’s pays tribute to its past at the Legendary Bird Cage Theatre with a special presentation of the musical comedy melodrama with a surprising boysenberry twist!
• Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies - A group of krazy talented performers will have guests toe tappin’, vine dancin’ and knee-slappin’ to a comedic country music show at the Wagon Camp stage.
• Musical Performances - Various musical duos playing Country and Bluegrass tunes will take the stage at Fireman’s stage.
• Old MacDonald Petting Zoo - Young ones and young at heart are invited to cozy up to the cutest critters on the farm including horses, sheep, goats and other furry friends. Old MacDonald’s farm pays tribute to one of the farm’s original attractions.

The Boysenberry Festival is included with admission to Knott’s Berry Farm.  Additional costs apply for food tasting experiences within the event. Knott’s will have extended hours on select days March  29 – April 28, allowing guests extra time to take advantage of all of the limited-time offerings.
The best way to savor every day of the Knott’s Boysenberry Festival and all of the other Seasons of Fun is with a 2019 Season Pass. A Regular Season Pass includes unlimited admission in 2019 to Knott’s Berry Farm with no blackout dates, and a Gold Season Pass includes unlimited admission in 2019 to both Knott’s Berry Farm and Knott’s Soak City Waterpark with no blackout dates. Regular passes are just $98 or five easy payments of $15.50 after an initial payment and Gold Passes are $118 or five easy payments of just $18.50 after an initial payment. These offers end April 28, 2019. Applicable taxes and fees apply. Payment plans are only available at knotts.com.

​For more information about Knott’s Berry Farm please visit knotts.com or download the Knott’s Berry Farm app for your smartphone.