Ohio Haunters Convention 2026
“Horror and Haunting in the Buckeye State”
By Noah Wullkotte: jollypumpkin@aol.com
The Ohio State Reformatory is known as one of the world’s most haunted locations. Spirits from beyond the grave walk its haunted halls and they welcome you to their domain. It was also the backdrop for 1994’s Shawshank Redemption starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman. Parts of the movie Air Force One were shot there as well as other notable films. Every year the reformatory opens its doors for the award winning Blood Prison haunted attraction and there are many events that take place at the nearly 300,000 square foot prison. Hell, they even have a rock extravaganza called Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival. Artists like Disturbed, Papa Roach and Limpbizkit perform at this 3 day event.
Another special event is the Ohio Haunters Convention. This spooktacular gathering of ghouls had its inaugural year in 2019, but there wouldn’t be another convention until 2026. This one of a kind event is thankfully back and it’s better than ever. The frightful week kicked off on Friday, May 8th with Mohican Haunted Schoolhouse’s Spring Scream. I toured this haunt years ago and was impressed with its variety of scares and dedicated cast of crazies.
Saturday, May 9th was the first official day of the convention. 37 vendors decorated the reformatory’s West Cell Block with everything for sale from spooky props to Sparkling Apple Cider. My favorite vendor was Nightmare Foundry. Their haunt signs were detailed and plain cool. A mini version of Blood Prison was open for business for only $15 per victim. It operated from 12-4pm. Blood Prison played a big part in the success of the Ohio Haunters Convention. That weekend they debuted their new and exciting Escape Room called The Cabin of the Damned.
There were a mixture of educational classes being held throughout the day. This included Makeup/Airbrush/Application, Queue Line Acting and so fourth. These classes were only $10 per person or included with the VIP ticket. A kid Costume Showcase was at 2PM and the Costume Ball kicked off at 8PM. It looked like it was a blast from the videos I watched. Next year I plan on attending the ball to see all the different creepy characters dressed up.
A raffle for haunter Logan Roush was held during the weekend. Logan was a beloved haunter who passed away at the tender age of 35. The winner was Tabitha Bartowich who won a bunch of donated items worth more than 1,000 bucks. All the raffle money went towards the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to further research on treatment.
On Sunday, May 10th, there were more classes and plenty of vendors. The show floor would close at 3PM. Chainer’s Field of Screams in Botkins, Ohio gave out 150 free carnations to mothers that day on the second floor. We only attended the convention on Saturday, but we had a blast talking with vendors and exploring the prison. It’s amazing to think about the different prisoners who must have occupied the reformatory. There were some notable famous inmates including country star David Allan Coe who recently passed away on April 29th, 2026 at the age of 86.
Click here to view all the pictures taken at the Ohio Haunters Convention.
Paint is peeling, there’s rust on the walls and a few of the jail cells were open. Some vendors had more of there items in the cell behind their booth which was really unique. If you wanted a bite to eat then don’t fret. There were three food trucks setup outside of the reformatory. They served french fries, Bloomin’ Onions and more. The Ohio State Reformatory offers food and drinks made daily at the Scofield Cafe and there is a museum and gift shop. I should have bought one of those OSR coffee mugs.
Many special events take place at the Ohio State Reformatory throughout the year. Parapsycon is a Paranormal and Psychic show that features vendors, a hearse show, and celebrities! It’s held on May 15th-17th. The Ohio Haunters Convention reminded me of the early days of Midwest Haunters Convention back when it was in Columbus, Ohio. The Ohio Haunters Convention is an event that welcomes people from all walks of life that enjoy the morbid, the scary and everything Halloween. Next year’s Convention returns May 22nd and 23rd. It won’t overlap with Mother’s Day weekend this time and I’m sure they will have a larger crowd. City Blood plans on spending more time at the convention in 2027 and we hope that you join us. You can’t beat the setting of a haunted prison and it’s going to be an unforgettable journey into fear.
Please visit www.ohiohaunters.com for information on the Ohio Haunters Convention.
Spooky Wishes,
Noah