Author: jeff

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Winfield Winfield, Darkling Guest and Horror Author

Winfield Winfield.

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About Winfield Winfield

Winfield Winfield is an acclaimed international author recognized for his gripping works in body horror, psychological horror, and science fiction. With a unique narrative style that intertwines the macabre with deep psychological insight, Winfield has carved a niche for himself in the horror genre, captivating readers with tales that linger long after the last page.

Born with an insatiable curiosity for the eerie and unexplained, Winfield’s journey into storytelling began early. His Amazon author page reveals a childhood fascination with local music and a deep-rooted passion for exploring the darker aspects of human nature. This curiosity led him to become an “Editor’s Choice” award winner for his early work, setting the stage for a prolific writing career.

Winfield’s novels, such as “Cult of the Eclipse,” exemplify his talent for blending horror with profound themes. The novel, described on Amazon as an “electrifying ride of body horror, delusion, and why people are lured into malicious cults,” follows a mother’s desperate search for her runaway child, only to uncover sinister truths in a seemingly familiar town. His ability to portray the grotesque alongside human vulnerability has earned him a dedicated following.

Beyond his writing, Winfield is deeply engaged with his community of readers and fellow horror enthusiasts. His professional page on a prominent social media platform highlights his active participation in discussions about horror’s role in literature and its reflection on societal fears. He often shares insights into his creative process and the inspirations behind his chilling tales, fostering a vibrant dialogue with his audience.

Residing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Winfield remains a local music nut and can be found engaging with fans on various online platforms, where he shares updates on his work and delves into discussions about the horror genre. His website offers a comprehensive look at his bibliography, including reader reviews and personal reflections on his writing journey.

Winfield Winfield’s presence in the literary world is marked by his commitment to exploring the depths of human emotion through the lens of horror. His works not only entertain but also challenge readers to confront their fears and question the boundaries of reality and imagination. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to his haunting narratives, Winfield’s stories promise an unforgettable journey into the unknown.

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The Zombie Invasion

Zombies.

“I like my zombies slow and I like my zombies stupid.”

~Seth Grahame-Smith, “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies”

It’s almost certainly not fatal to RSVP for this event on Facebook, if you’re on Facebook.

And then it’s Saturday afternoon and time for the Zombie Invasion! If you wish to hang about our Wasteland area, our Zombies will be emerging from Darkling and entering the Wasteland.

Our Zombies are members of the cast. They are not likely to actually eat your brains, smart though you are. They will, instead, most likely offer you a sticker to turn you from (whatever you currently are now) to (a zombie version thereof).

They’ll be stumbling/shambling your way with only one thought: time to eat your brains!

…give you stickers.

Time to give you stickers!

You’re welcome to run from them, interact with them, take pictures with them, invite them to your parties…hey, they’re not OUR zombies. We don’t own them or anything.

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Captain Dante’s Fight Show

Matthew Martino

“I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion.”

~Alexander The Great

Banned from the Pubs

  • Description: A highly immersive and interactive show that features games, audience participation, and rabble-rousing cheers! Captain Dante has travelled the world over, and at every port and tavern he visited, there was too much drinking, wenching, gambling, and fighting. Now, banned from the pubs, Captain Dante must resort to doing all his drinking, wenching, gambling, and fighting in public among the fine people attending the faire! Join Captain Dante as he starts a fight with you!

About Matthew Martino

  • Background: Matthew Martino has been a performer and producer of immersive and interactive events for nearly a quarter century. He graduated from Fairfield University with a focus on Visual and Performing Arts and has performed all over the country. He launched Savage Grace Entertainment in 2003 to produce stage shows, Halloween events, and theatrical games. Currently, he serves as an Immersive Experience Consultant with Sage Interactive Consulting.

Where Matt Has Performed:

  • King Richard’s Faire
  • The Arizona Renaissance Festival
  • The Carolina Renaissance Festival
  • The Sterling Renaissance Festival
  • The Colorado Renaissance Festival
  • The Robin Hood Faire
  • The Kang Arthur Faire
  • The Southern Connecticut Renaissance Faire
  • The Midsummer Magick Faire
  • The Vermont Renaissance Faire
  • The Massachusetts Renaissance Faire

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The Temple of the Yielding Fry

Pearl Jam.

A sanctuary for soulful moments:

In the sprawling field of our gathering, you’ll find a sacred grove where the spirit of Pearl Jam thrives. “Given To Fry” stands sentinel, a beacon for those who seek solace in the grunge of yesteryear, yet it’s more than a food truck; it’s a portal to another dimension where music and memory intertwine.

The Temple of Echoes:

This temple, small circle of stones, pays a humble tribute to the band, echoes the silent screams of “Black,” where each stone laid forms a circle reminiscent of the band’s intimate acoustic sessions. Here, we’ve placed these near vendors that reflect themes like the social action of “W.M.A.,” the introspection of “In My Tree,” or the raw energy of “Spin the Black Circle.” Each stall is an extension of the band’s journey, from the Mookie Blaylock days to the latest echoes of “Gigaton.”

A Feast for the Senses:

Indulge in fries that are not just food but a narrative. “Steak of Love & Trust” fries offer comfort like the band’s most heartfelt ballads, while “Push Me Pull Me” pork fries challenge your taste buds much like the band’s experimental ventures. Each bite is a nod to the ’97 No Code era, where the band sought to break free from expectations, much like the fries breaking the mold of what they can be when paired with such inventive flavors.

Magic and Sci-Fi in the Air:

Surrounding this sanctuary, you’ll find vendors selling the magic of the cosmos and the dreams of sci-fi, resonating with Mike McCready’s love for the stars and distant galaxies, as hinted in “Inside Job.” Did you know that McCready’s been known to geek out over science fiction, much like the band’s own journey into the unknown with albums like “Binaural,” where they explored new sonic landscapes?

A Pilgrimage for the Curious:

As you wander, you’ll feel the presence of “Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town,” the stories of “Release,” and the defiance of “Animal.” This space invites you on a pilgrimage through Pearl Jam’s legacy, where every crunch of a fry is a step closer to understanding the band’s heart. Here, the “Yield” to creativity and community is palpable, a place where fans can share tales of the “Once” they saw Pearl Jam live, or discuss the hidden meanings in “Thumbing My Way.”

An Invitation to All:

Whether you’re here to honor the “Do The Evolution” of rock or just to savor the simple joy of fries, this Pearl Jam temple welcomes you. It’s a space where the “State of Love and Trust” is not just a song but a feeling, where every visitor can leave a little piece of themselves, much like fans did at the “Drop In The Park” in ’92. Come, join us in this celebration of music, magic, and the mundane turned extraordinary by the power of rock.

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The Temple of the Shark – Near Funky Sharky

The Temple of the Shark!


Welcome to the Temple of the Shark – Buckle Up!

Here’s your guide to an experience so delightfully off-kilter, it’s like discovering a perfectly tuned banjo in the heart of a black hole:

  • The Great Shark Summoning: Together, at the appointed time, we shall stand in a circle and summon the appropriate number of Sharks to
  • Dance of the Thousand Fins: Participate in what could be the universe’s most eccentric dance party. With your fin on, you’re part of a spectacle that’s as likely to realign your chakras as it is to make you question your life choices, in a good way.
  • The Oracle of the Deep: Get your future told by an Oracle whose advice is as reliable as a compass on a magnetized planet. Here, your fortune might come with a chuckle, not a chianti, and the only thing you’ll hear screaming is your sense of normalcy.
  • The Shark’s Roar: When the roar echoes, it’s like the universe pausing to raise an eyebrow at us. The silence that follows isn’t the quiet of lambs; it’s the moment of cosmic suspense before the universe decides whether to laugh or applaud.
  • The Blessing of the Waves: Step through our water tunnel, and you might find yourself in a reality where water is actually made of pure, undiluted weirdness. It’s a “you scratch my back, I’ll confuse your reality” deal with the sea.
  • Feast of the Finned Ones: Enjoy shark-shaped delicacies, where the only thing endangered is your diet plan. It’s a feast where even the most elusive cryptid would stop to savor the moment, possibly pondering if they’ve finally found their tribe.
  • The Shark’s Eye Challenge: Peer through the eye of the shark, and you might catch more than just hidden items; perhaps a cryptid or two, lost in the sauce of our dimension. If you see something, remember, in this universe, seeing is believing, sometimes.
  • The Great Fin Parade: March in a parade where chaos reigns supreme. While we can’t guarantee cryptid sightings, if one joins us, it’ll only add to the event’s charm, like an unexpected guest at the universe’s most bizarre dinner party.
  • The Call of the Abyss: Listen for the ocean’s reply, which might just be the confused murmur of a cryptid wondering where it took a wrong turn. If you hear something, it’s not the ocean; it’s the universe snickering at our antics.
  • The Blessing of Speed and Strength: Get ready for activities that’ll make you feel like you’ve channeled the spirit of a dozen cryptids. It’s like PE class if it were run by a cosmic jester with a flair for the dramatic.

So, dive into the wildness at the Temple of the Shark, where the laws of reality are more like suggestions, cryptids might just be your new best friends, and every moment is a testament to the universe’s love for a good laugh. Here, the silence isn’t of lambs; it’s of everyone holding their breath in anticipation of what happens next.

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Some Ideas For That Scavenger Hunt (LoreSmith Terribly Secret)

Moon?

Wonderplace Alpha Scavenger Hunt

Objective: Complete the following fantastical tasks to capture the essence of an event where reality bends to imagination.

Tasks:

  1. Mirror Library Books
    • Task: I’ve swapped all the books in the library with their mirror versions. Read backwards, shall we?
    • Action: Find any book in the library or at the event and take a photo of the book’s text backward, either by physically reversing the book or digitally flipping the photo.
  2. The Green Moon
    • Task: I’ve painted the moon green tonight, just to hear the poets’ confusion!
    • Action: Take a picture of the moon when it’s green. If you can’t find a green moon (since this is quite a magical request), you can draw a green moon or find an image of one to share.
  3. Cat Tail Parade
    • Task: I’ve tied all the cats’ tails together. The parade starts at midnight!
    • Action: Bring two pieces of cat art (paintings, sculptures, drawings, etc.) together in one photo or physically if they are movable art pieces. Emphasize that this is about art, not involving live animals.
  4. Reverse River Flow
    • Task: I’ve convinced the river to flow backward for an hour. Watch the fish swim upstream!
    • Action: Find a river or stream at the event, take a video or photo where it appears to flow backward (you might need to flip the video/image or use effects).
  5. Echoing Laughter
    • Task: I’ve captured all the laughter in bottles. Find one and let it free!
    • Action: Record or capture an image of someone laughing at the event, or find a piece of art that symbolizes laughter (like a painting or sculpture).
  6. Upside-Down Trees
    • Task: I’ve turned all the trees upside down for a bit of fun. Spot one!
    • Action: Find a tree and either take a photo or draw one where the tree appears upside down, either by physically hanging an image or using digital means.

Rules:

  • All photos or actions should be taken at the event or within the spirit of the event’s theme.
  • Creativity is key; if you can’t do something literally, interpret it creatively.
  • Respect for art, property, and attendees is paramount; no live animals are to be used in tasks.

End Goal: Share your findings or creations with other attendees or at a designated spot for a collective viewing or event wrap-up. This could involve a gallery of the scavenger hunt results, celebrating the unique, imaginative interpretations of each task.

Additionally:


Absolutely, let’s weave some more imaginative tasks into this whimsical scavenger hunt:

Wonderplace Alpha Scavenger Hunt – Part Two

  1. The Whispering Wind
    • Task: I’ve taught the wind to whisper secrets. Catch a whisper in your ear!
    • Action: Record a moment where the wind seems to be whispering, perhaps near a fan, open window, or outside. You can also write down a secret or a fun fact you learned at the event as your “caught whisper.”
  2. Invisible Ink Letters
    • Task: All the correspondence today is written in invisible ink. Decode one message!
    • Action: Find any piece of paper or message at the event and “decode” it by either writing over it with a contrasting color pen (to simulate revealing invisible ink) or by writing your own hidden message and revealing it.
  3. Color-Swapped Flowers
    • Task: I’ve made all the flowers change colors when no one is looking. Spot a color-swapped bloom!
    • Action: Take a picture of any flower and then edit the photo to change its color, or find an already colorful artificial flower and claim it as your “swapped” bloom.
  4. Gravitational Anomaly
    • Task: I’ve made a spot where gravity is just a suggestion. Find it and float for a moment!
    • Action: Find a place where you can mimic floating – this could be a trampoline, a bouncy castle, or even just jumping in a photo where you appear to defy gravity.
  5. Shadow Puppets of the Past
    • Task: I’ve brought back shadow puppets from ancient times. They perform at noon.
    • Action: Create or find a shadow puppet show, or simply make shadow puppets with your hands and take a photo or video of them “performing.”
  6. The Singing Stones
    • Task: I’ve taught the stones to sing when the sun hits them just right. Listen to their melody!
    • Action: Find a stone or rock at the event, and either record the natural sounds around it or play music next to it to simulate the singing stones.
  7. Reverse Daylight
    • Task: Today, the sun sets at dawn and rises at dusk. Capture this phenomenon!
    • Action: Take a photo or video of the sky at an unusual time, like sunrise at night or sunset in the morning, or edit an image to reflect this reverse lighting effect.

Rules:

  • Embrace creativity; these tasks are about bending reality with imagination.
  • Ensure all actions are safe, respectful, and considerate of the event’s environment and attendees.
  • Share your results in a fun, communal way, perhaps through a digital gallery or in-person sharing session.

End Goal: The culmination of these tasks could be a collective storytelling session where attendees share their interpretations of these magical events, creating an oral tapestry of the day’s adventures.

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Jream’s Semi-Traditional Welcoming Goth Night: Brought To You By Darkling

Goth it up.

“‘Show me, show me, show me how you do that trick
The one that makes me scream,’ she said.
‘The one that makes me laugh,’ she said,
And threw her arms around my neck…”
~The Cure

Also known as our Goth Disco, thanks to our special guest, The Painting Badger.

This is a traditional old-school Goth night, except instead of being held in secret in the back of an abandoned church at midnight on the Feast of the Very Annoyed Saints when the Moon is full and Robert Smith is visiting telepathically…

…it’s held at our Festival, and whether you’ve been Goth since 1984, or whether this is the first time you realized that the Visgoths have returned… we’d love to meet you. All are welcome!

FRIDAY NIGHT, IN THE “DARKLING” AREA! When we say all are welcome, as always, we mean it – young and old, Goth or otherwise, come out, come out! But be aware that many of us will be dressing in our finest Goth colors of black, slightly darker black, slightly lighter black, and also, black. And we’ll dance the night away!

Entertainment: We’re picking a DJ. Or, really, our DJ will pick us and let us know.

Libations: Indulge in a selection of goth cocktails at our bar, each crafted to match the dark aesthetic of our gathering. From classics like the..the.. are there classic Goth cocktails? For real? What are they? … to our own concoctions inspired by the night, there’s something to suit every dark palate.

Atmosphere: Revel in the terrible lighting we all cherish, casting long shadows and creating an intimate, mysterious ambiance perfect for dancing or just being in dark and slightly uncomfortable spaces together. Our playlist will feature the timeless tracks that define our culture, ensuring your feet can’t help but move to the gothic rhythm, unless that’s not how you Goh, in which case, all good.

Quiet Retreats: For those who prefer the whisper of solitude, we’ve arranged several quiet areas nearby. Here, you can escape the crowd, reflect, or share hushed conversations amidst the quietude.

Smoking: And yes, for those who still hold a candle for the old ways, you can enjoy the rare pleasure of smoking clove cigarettes, should they still exist in this modern world.

Join us for a night where darkness meets…mostly more darkness, and everyone can enjoy the Darkling Element, and where we prove that the spirit of Goth thrives not on extravagance, but on the shared passion for the night. Let’s make this an unforgettable evening, proving that our community’s heart beats strongest in the shadows.

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Beautiful Things

Beautiful Things.

“Explore the enchanting world of Beautiful Things, where magic comes to life! Their offerings often include, but aren’t limited to:

  • Wizard Hats: Perfect for any magical occasion, from spell-casting to ceremonial gatherings.
  • Cloaks: Wrap yourself in mystery and elegance with our finely crafted cloaks.
  • Wizard Wands: Choose your perfect wand, each one unique and charged with potential magic.
  • Crystalized Flowers: Eternal beauty in glass-like form, these flowers are both art and nature preserved.
  • Book Vases: A blend of literature and floral elegance, these vases turn your reading nook into a botanical wonder.
  • Elf Ears: Step into another realm with our realistic and comfortable elf ears for all your fantasy adventures.
  • Fingerless Gloves: Keep your hands free for spell work or any task while adding a touch of style.

Dive into a realm where fantasy meets craftsmanship at Beautiful Things.

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Some Notes From Puck

Puck!

Definitely Not An ARG.

No, really. This ought to be an ARG, but we haven’t built one yet.

I’m going to suggest to Jim that we could make this into a visual scavenger hunt and Jeremy and Jeremy that it could be…well, let me just bring this to them now.

  • In the moonlight, I’ve turned all the town’s shoes into fish! Let’s see them dance now!
  • I’ve swapped all the books in the library with their mirror versions. Read backwards, shall we?
  • I’ve painted the moon green tonight, just to hear the poets’ confusion!
  • I’ve tied all the cats’ tails together. The parade starts at midnight!
  • I’ve filled the mayor’s fountain with honey. Sweet dreams to all who drink from it!
  • I’ve changed every door knob in town to be invisible. Good luck getting home!
  • I’ve turned all the street signs upside down. Let’s see who can navigate this new world!
  • I’ve made it so every time someone sneezes, a flower blooms from their nose. Bless you, indeed!
  • I’ve enchanted the town clock to chime backwards. Time for a rewind, perhaps?
  • I’ve set the stars to twinkle in Morse code. Can you decipher my message?
  • I’ve made all the dogs speak in rhyme. Poetry in motion, indeed!
  • I’ve turned all the windows into portals to different worlds. Look, but don’t fall through!
  • I’ve winked at a cat. Now I’m turning into a cat…
  • I’ve turned every teacup into a tiny pond with swimming goldfish. Drink at your own risk!
  • I’ve hidden a rainbow in the town square that appears only when someone laughs genuinely.
  • All the leaves on the trees are now whispering secrets from last winter. Listen closely!
  • I’ve made the shadows dance to their own silent symphony tonight. Watch the show!
  • I’ve switched all the signs at the bakery so you’ll never know what you’re biting into.
  • I’ve enchanted the street lights to glow in colors that reflect your mood. Feeling blue?
  • I’ve turned the local pond into a mirror that reflects not your face, but your heart’s desire.
  • I’ve made it so every step you take tonight leaves behind a trail of glowing footprints.
  • All the birds are now singing lullabies in reverse. Sleep on if you dare!
  • I’ve hidden a door to the fairy realm in the most mundane place imaginable. Find it if you can!
  • I’ve made all the statues wink at passersby, sharing a secret only they know.
  • I’ve turned the wind into a messenger, whispering forgotten dreams into your ear.
  • I’ve painted the night sky with invisible ink; only those with a child’s wonder can see it.
  • I’ve made every handshake tonight seal a pact of friendship with a small, unseen spark.
  • I’ve turned the town’s clocks into hourglasses with sand that runs upward. Time to rethink time!