Press Release: Vampires are Sinking Their Fangs into Flint this Fall

Flint pin up model Leena Allure, photo by RSII Photography 

 Contact: Roxanne Rhoads

Bewitching Book Tours

RoxanneRhoads@bewitchingbooktours.com

Vampires are Sinking Their Fangs into Flint this Fall

Flint, Michigan May 26, 2012

There’s a new event coming to Flint in the fall of 2012- Flint Fang Fest.

Local Flint author, book publicist and lifelong Flint area resident, Roxanne Rhoads came up with the idea for Flint Fang Fest in part thanks to the popularity of vampires and werewolves in current pop culture trends. You see them everywhere: in books, in TV shows like The Vampire Diaries and True Blood, and in movies (the most popular being the Twilight Saga- in which Breaking Dawn Part 2 opens in theaters November 16, 2012).

She believes Flint Fang Fest has the potential to bring an economic boost to Flint with a fun and modern pop culture twist- which will coordinate perfectly with other Halloween festivities in the area.

She hopes that Flint Fang Fest can become the “Back to the Bricks” for paranormal enthusiasts.

This year the Flint Horror Convention is in its second year and will be held on October 20. The Flint Vampire Ball is in its fifth year and will be held on October 27.

Flint Fang Fest will start with the Flint Horror Convention on October 20 and end at The Flint Vampire Ball on October 27. Both events are in downtown Flint at The Masonic Temple.

Throughout the week there will be events all over the area- geared for young and old- something for everyone. From author book signings to a vampire theme pin up fashion show featuring local pin up models and a sexy burlesque show performed by the Fischer Bodies.

Fang fest organizers are seeking more downtown businesses to participate in Fang Fest, especially during the day on Saturday October 20, on Friday evening October 26, and Saturday October 27. The goal is to create events throughout the downtown area that patrons can walk to or just have a short drive to.

The HorrorCon will be going on all day October 20 and The Vampire Ball vendors' event will be going on from 11-5 October 27 with the ball starting around 7pm- both at The Masonic Temple right on Saginaw Street.

By holding an event that ties in with Fang Fest, whether a special sale, a product, even a fun menu local businesses could draw a lot of foot traffic from Horror Con and The Vampire Ball to their business on those key days.

All participating events and businesses will be included in promotional advertising for the event- on the Flint Fang Fest web site, on the Facebook page and on fliers and other promotional materials.

You can view the events that are currently scheduled at http://flintfangfest.blogspot.com/p/fang-fest-events.html

 If you would be interested in taking part in this unique opportunity to breath new (undead) life into Flint, give local businesses an economic boost,  help local charities, and have fun while doing it please contact Roxanne at RoxanneRhoads@bewitchingbooktours.com to discuss the possibilities.

www.flintfangfest.blogspot.com

www.facebook.com/FlintFangFest

Would You Be Interested in Flint Fang Fest 2012?

This year the Flint Horror Convention is in its second year and will be held on October 20. The Flint Vampire Ball is in its fifth year and will be held on October 27.

The vast popularity of vampires and werewolves is evident everywhere: in books, in TV shows like The Vampire Diaries and True Blood, and in movies (the most popular being the Twilight Saga- in which Breaking Dawn Part 2 opens in theaters November 16, 2012).

Why not take the opportunity to launch the Flint Fang Fest? We could kick off Fang Fest at the Horror Convention and end it with the Vampire Ball. It could be a weeklong event throughout Flint and surrounding areas.

Think about it- supernatural theme events will already be in full swing for Halloween, why not add to this with Paranormal themed events local businesses can take part in-put Flint on the map for something that has the potential to draw crowds from other areas of Michigan, perhaps even other states.

I’m thinking art galleries could host scary art shows with vampire, werewolf and other paranormal themes.

Local performers and venues could host Vampire Burlesque shows, or perhaps a Paranormal Fashion show (think 1940s pin up girls with fangs, Victorian finery vampire style, Werewolf Biker Chic).

I would love to get local book stores and libraries involved by hosting multiple author book signing events.

We can even help the community by involving charity organizations- set up a blood drive with the Red Cross (donate blood, vampires will thank you), have local pet adoptions set up with the theme “Love Fangs? Adopt a Pet”.

Other possibilities include collecting Toys for Tots or canned goods for the local food bank, perhaps offering a discount on tickets when a toy or can of food is donated.

With Flint being “Vehicle City” perhaps we could even set up a scary car show. Anyone that has a tricked out hearse, sleek sexy car (or truck) with scary paint jobs, or anyone who just a vehicle a vampire would definitely be caught dead in could show off their wheels.

If you would be interested in taking part in this unique opportunity to breath new (undead) life into Flint, give local businesses an economic boost, help local charities, and have fun while doing it please contact me at RoxanneRhoads@aol.com to discuss the possibilities.

Take a Step Back in Time at Crossroads Village

My family loves to visit the historical little town of Crossroads Village in Genesee County.

The village is actually part of the Genesee County Parks and is open throughout the summer, in the Fall for Halloween trick or treating and at Christmas Time. It is also open one night in November for a special Ladies Night Out.

Crossroads Village is set up as a late 1800's town and has authentic buildings from the Genesee County area that have been rescued or donated to the park- like a couple of houses and the church.

It even has a grand Charles W. Parker carousel fully functional and in working order- just the way it was in 1912.

The park features home that are fully decorated and fuctionable right down to the wood burning stoves that still work to keep the buidlings warm when the park is open in the winter.

It is so beautiful in the winter- makes you think you've truly stepped back in time to a smpler era where malls didn't exist and the holidays were all about family. I love walking through the village when it is covered in snow.

And my family has a Christmas Eve tradition of driving through the village on Christmas eve night to see all the lights. It is one of the only times you're allowed to drive through the village and it's a great family tradition.

The inside of one of the Victorian era homes.

I love this barn, don't you?

The church, you can even schedule weddings here.

Crossroads Village and the Huckleberry Railroad

May 29 ~ September 6, 2010

Open Wednesday thru Sunday & Holidays

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

6140 Bray Rd.

Flint, MI 48505

For more about Crossroads Village

http://www.geneseecountyparks.org/crossroadsvillage.htm

Flint, Michigan

To kick off Michigan month I thought I'd show you a little of Flint, Michigan which is my hometown. I live on the outskirts of Flint- outside the city in what used to farm country. Some of it still is the rest is suburban.

But I grew up going to places in downtown Flint, many of which are now gone like Autoworld. I also attended college at UM-Flint and partied at the (dismal) downtown club/bar scene in the mid 90s (I miss you Metropolis).

Flint is called Vehicle City which many assume is because of the auto manufacturing companies that were started here or took up residence here but it was actually nicknamed Vehicle City long before a car ever hit the bricks in Flint (possibly before there were bricks to drive on).

Flint was called Vehicle City thanks to 3 carriage companies that were here in Flint in the 1800s. Odd that there were 3 carriage companies then 3 car companies. Hmmm. It's always been the Big 3 here. Well- at least until the car big 3 started doing us dirty in the 80s. It's been going downhill ever since.

But enough of that.

One unique feature of downtown Flint is the beautiful Vehicle City arches that were erected in 1899 (see top photo). I am not sure when the originals were taken down. I read somewhere possibly during the war when all metal was scrapped for making weapons, tanks and all that.

In 2003 replicas of the original arches were put up as part of the downtown Flint revitalization project and honestly they look great. At night they light up- really dressing up the downtown area.

I took these photos below at last year's Back to the Bricks.

Back to the Bricks is a fun family event. If you love cars it is a must go. If you want a fun, family day out it is also a must go. It gets bigger and better every year.

My family went last year and it was a blast. The cars to see are phenomenal. Check out some of these photos.

This is the door of a Flint fire truck. My hubby used to be a firefighter so the firetrucks were the first place we stopped.

And he's a truck guy so I think we took photos of every truck there.



This year Back to the Bricks is August 17-21.

I'll be there. If you are a car person and can make it please do because it is going to be great. Everything from rolling cruises to old fashioned drive in movie events- this is going to Flint's biggest event of the year.

Another place to check out if you ever visit Flint is the Farmer's Market- fresh produce, a restaurant, a wine cellar and so much more in one of few remaining gems of downtown Flint.

In fact the annual Vampire Ball hosted by Vertigo Theatrics benefits the Flint Farmer's Market.

This year's Vampire Ball is Saturday October 16th- love to see you there.

So Flint is bad at times but there's still a rich and fantastic culture here that I haven't seen anywhere else.

Plus for me it's home.

Michigan is home...and there's no place like home.

So I hope you will join me all month long as I highlight some of the places around Michigan that I love and introduce to you some fabulous Michigan authors.