The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

    Halloween to come to life this weekend

    The third annual Hammond Horror Festival will be taking over the town this weekend featuring a variety of events to entertain viewers with a twist of horror just in time for Halloween.
    Hammond Horror Fest is put on by the Louisiana Center for Theatrical Arts and Southeastern’s theatre honor society, Alpha Psi Omega. This year’s lineup will include a costume contest, a masquerade ball, a “Freaky Friday” horror movie marathon and the usual 24-hour theatre event.
    “The Hammond Horror Festival is first and foremost a community project,” said Taylor McLellan, a Louisiana State University graduate from the local area. “Jim [Winter] and I created this festival to give artists of all mediums, whether student, amateur or professional, a platform to get their work seen in alternative settings, which ultimately gives Hammond a different form of entertainment.”
    The Hammond Horror Festival started in 2011 with just a play and the first 24-hour theatre event, but has since added more events thanks to the support of the Hammond community.
    “Coming into our third year, the HHF is now supported by businesses and organizations like the Downtown Development District, Hammond Regional Arts Center, Southeastern’s theatre department, Alpha Psi Omega, Louisiana Center for Theatrical Arts, Sir-Reel Studios, Wyatt’s Comics and Cards and numerous downtown merchants,” said McLellan. “We are continuously growing in terms of artists interested in contributing to the festival, which will always be the goal of the fest. Every artist deserves to be recognized for doing what they do best, and HHF will always support Hammond’s growing artistic talents.”
    The first event of the four-night Halloween spectacular will be the newly-added costume contest to be held at Wyatt’s Comics and Cards on University Avenue on Wednesday, Oct. 23 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. There will be a $5 entry fee for those entering the costume contest, and otherwise, the event is free to the public.
    Last year the masquerade ball was added to the HHF program.
    “We have successfully doubled in size and community support each year and look forward to how big it will get in years to come,” said McLellan.
    On Thursday, Oct. 24 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., the Macabre Masquerade Ball will be held at the Hammond Regional Arts Center. The masquerade will feature a zombie fashion show courtesy of local designers, a “twisted dance” piece by La La Tribal Belly Dancing Troupe, a Horror-themed Arts Market and more. Tickets are $30 for individuals and $20 for couples.
    A new-addition to this year’s fest, the Freaky Friday Film Night will be held in Pottle Auditorium on Oct. 25 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. For just $5 anyone can attend and view a screening of an independent short horror film by local artists followed by the 1968 classic “Night of the Living Dead.” This event is for mature audiences only.
    Last but not least will be the annual 24-hour theatre event on Saturday, Oct. 26 in Vonnie Borden Theatre from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. This year’s theme is “7 Signs of the Apocalypse,” based on prophesized events that will bring about the end of times. Tickets will be $7 at the door.
    “This year’s 24-hour theatre festival is the biggest and baddest yet,” said Chelsea Krause, a senior majoring in general studies with a theatre concentration who has been involved with HHF since the first year. “I’m incredibly excited that Alpha Psi Omega continues to be a part of this enormous tribute to the arts. Our hope is that this is something everyone will both support and enjoy. Expect to see ‘7 Signs of the Apocalypse’ put on by quite a bit of new talent on the stage production and talent wise. There’s also probably going to be a few new elements to the show, but you’ll have to come to see what they are.”  
    A portion of the proceeds for the 2013 Hammond Horror Festival will be donated to the American Cancer Society’s Tangipahoa Relay for Life. For additional information, visit www.hammondhorrorfest.org.  
     

    Leave a Comment
    Donate to The Lion's Roar
    $600
    $1000
    Contributed
    Our Goal

    Your donation will support The Lion's Roar student journalists at Southeastern Louisiana University.
    In addition, your contribution will allow us to cover our annual website hosting costs.
    No gift is too small.

    Donate to The Lion's Roar
    $600
    $1000
    Contributed
    Our Goal

    Comments (0)

    Comments and other submissions are encouraged but are subject to The Lion's Roar Comments and Moderation Policy. All views expressed are those of the author and should not be interpreted as the views of The Lion's Roar, the administration, faculty, staff, or students of Southeastern Louisiana University.
    All The Lion's Roar Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *