This weekend on March 7 and 8, Birmingham, Alabama will welcome HauntFest's Death March to its city for the first time. The weekend of entertainment will offer live music, art vendors, haunted attractions and other spellbinding activities that put a spooky twist on a traditional medieval festival.
In the past, HauntFest has organized a variety of experiences for guests, including axe throwing, live animal encounters, trivia games, rage rooms, free-roaming “ghouls” and freak and magic shows, food and beverages, arts and crafts, horror hayrides, costume contests and even celebrity appearances.
According to Roseann Harpold, the founder and event manager of HauntFest, HauntFest strives to give their customers a taste of Halloween and allow them to enjoy “getting their horror on” outside of the fall season.
“HauntFest events are meant to almost feel like a big party to celebrate the horror arts,” Harpold said. “We pride ourselves in normalizing horror and spooky things as its own ‘interest’ and separating it from the stigma that it can only be celebrated in October.”
In fact, HauntFest avoids arranging events during the Halloween season altogether to demonstrate their belief that an interest in supernatural macabre is not limited to an annual holiday.
HauntFest is particularly thrilled to come to Birmingham due to its kindhearted residents, welcoming energy and “funky culture,” which presented an opportunity for this nightmarish experience to take place. Harpold expressed her excitement after visiting the city and visiting TrimTab Brewing Co., their Death March venue.
“Walking into the venue for the first time, I noticed the walls were already covered in horror and Halloween-themed local artwork, and even their office was decorated in spooky and funky decor,” Harpold said. “After meeting with Bill Ritter and Natalie Ferguson from TrimTab, there was no doubt in our mind that they would be a wonder to partner with.”
The atmosphere of the Party and of HauntFest – while staying true to its ghostly roots – shifts depending on the energy and the talent the venue, artists and guests bring.
“While we are consistently horror/Halloween-themed, every new HauntFest event has a different vibe due to the type of venue, time of year and what talents different local artists have hidden under their sleeves,” Harpold said. “We are constantly surprised by what innovative ideas folks have in different areas, and we can't wait to see what new thrills will come naturally to this event from entertainers and vendors.”
The first day of the weekend event is on Saturday. From 2 to 9 p.m., the festival grounds will offer all of the assorted market activities and horror games listed above, including the opportunity to visit all vendors and artists, with the exception of certain music and entertainment shows, in which times vary. This time is considered family-friendly, and kids and adults alike are welcome to explore and enjoy the event.
“Ghouls” seeking to terrify and meet the guests are released at 6 p.m. – but a "Ghoul-Gone Glow Bracelet" can be purchased at the door if a guest wishes to not interact with the monsters.
An exciting standout of Death March is HauntFest’s novel addition of Unlimited Haunted Laser Tag, a twist on the traditional shooting paintball game, in which users are given phasers with harmless lasers and are tasked with hitting light-sensitive sensors on their opponents’ vests.
“Unlimited Haunted Laser Tag is included in ticket pricing, where humans can battle humans or our HauntFest monsters,” Harpold said. “We may even have some spooks ready to pounce from a dark corner, while you're playing with your friends and family.”
A tattooing and piercing section will be set up near the laser tag, and some stations will offer face painting and temporary tattoos for children.
Finally, HauntFest is hosting the new Dead Man's Party, a dance party where costumes are encouraged, from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m. on Saturday only. This particular jamboree is suggested for ages 18 and up. Doors open at 9 p.m., with no additional cost to guests.
Sunday’s event will offer the same festivities, with similar music and entertainment shows, until 8 p.m., but the Dead Man Party will not be held following that time.
Only established in May 2023, HauntFest has quickly grown into one of the Southeast’s leading horror festival businesses. They pride themselves in not only bringing a captivating atmosphere to cities in Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina but also in celebrating the arts and supporting the local communities they visit.
All of HauntFest’s shows have traveling vendors and artists, but the company tries to highlight as many local artists as possible.
These artists include visual artisans, ranging from face and finger painters to taxidermists, entertainers and even freelance artists who are skilled blacksmiths or mystical tarot card readers. The staff also hire actors, who mostly are “Scaractors," who act as the "Ghouls" over the weekend.
These vendors sell spooky snacks and baked goods, horror art and merchandise, jewelry, Gothic clothing, masks, costumes and food. Some vendors even offer the adoption of black cats at the festival.
For ticket prices, group deals, discounts, vendor information, other upcoming HauntFest events and more information, visit HauntFest’s website and connect with them on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
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