Six Flags over Texas: Hallowfest 2020

With the Covid-19 pandemic still active, Six Flags over Texas responded by switching things up for 2020 and organizing Hallowfest for its annual Halloween event instead of the typical Fright Fest. We’ll take a look at the event and share our thoughts on how the park handled one of its biggest and most anticipated annual events during a public health crisis.

The Ride Graveyard

One of the coolest things we saw at Hallowfest was an old ride graveyard occupying the former fountains around the carousel, featuring tombstones of former rides and even signs and items from the attractions. This seemed like a no-brainer given the park already has an actual “ride graveyard” near the overflow parking lot which already housed many old ride parts.

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  Boat from Yosemite Sam/Speelunker's Cave

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  The old Flashback sign and graves for Sky Hook and Big Bend

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  Old Bumper Cars

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  Tombstones for LaSalle's River Adventure and Spinnaker

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  Tombstones for Cliffhanger/Wildcatter, Astrolift, and Skull Island

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  Airplane from Air Racer, the old Intamin Barnstormer ride

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  Vehicle and parachute from Texas Chute-Out

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  Aged Six Flags sign and Splashwater Falls tomb

No Haunted Houses? No Problem

Due to social distancing requirements, the park was unable to have its typical walk-through haunted houses. Although this was surely missed by many, it allowed the park to spread the props used in the houses alongside paths and create a much more themed atmosphere with spooky characters and ghouls throughout.

Scare zones were still scattered throughout the park with scare actors abiding by social distancing rules, and were still able to scare unsuspecting guests from our observations.

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  Menacing clown dolls in the New Texas Giant station

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  Zombies just hanging around

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  The stage in Gotham City showcases several scary figures

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  Zombies roam the railroad tracks since the Railroad is closed for Aquaman construction

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  Skeleton miners in the Boomtown section

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  A ghoulish fisherman near the Caddo Lake Barge

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  Southern Palace in the Old South section of the park is a scare zone

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  Theming in the USA section of the park staffed with socially distanced scare actors

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  One of many zombies surrounding the entry fountain

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  The Silver Star Carousel is transferred into the Scarousel during Hallowfest 2020

A Taste of the State Fair

With the State Fair of Texas cancelled for 2020, Six Flags invited several concessionaires from the fair to exhibit their foods with the Taste of the State Fair event. Vendors included Texas Skillet (known for cowboy burritos and skillet potatoes), Stiffler’s Mom Cookies & Fried Treats (fried Oreos, Twinkies, Smores, Snickers), Gulf Coast Grill (cajun crab bombs, cream corn casserole fritters, fried red velvet cupcakes), Ben the Pineapple Man (boba tea, pineapple slush, potato twists), and Vandalay Catering (fried PBJ, fried pizza, fried jambalaya, fried cookie dough, and more).

This is an event that likely won’t return next year assuming the State Fair reopens then, so get it while you can!

Health and Safety Protocols

Obviously the only reason Hallowfest existed this year was due to Six Flags not wanting to market it as Fright Fest due to all the differences needed for Covid-19.

Overall, Six Flags over Texas did a great job. Entering the park was a breeze with walking temperature checks and new safety scanners that use AI to actively identify items on you that require additional screening (rather than everyone having to empty out their pockets for the traditional metal detectors).

In addition to signage, dozens of employees were scattered throughout the park holding signs reminding people to wear their masks. Employees also swept queue lines reminding people to keep 6 feet of distance between parties and to wear masks at all times.

Hand sanitizers and hand washing stations were added throughout the park (though we would have preferred to see paper towel dispensers in the bathrooms instead of the air dryers).

Most guests remained compliant with the policies, though guest spacing in lines probably remained the largest challenge since it was completely guest-dependent.

Given what they were facing, Six Flags over Texas made our group feel safe and comfortable visiting the park and hopefully Fright Fest can return to its full glory next year in 2021.