“I was eleven when I started my first haunted house,” said local Lehi entrepreneur, Michael Hardle. “My parents had a field behind their house and I recruited friends to be different characters and help set up decorations. We charged seventy-five cents a person; the whole neighborhood came.”
Mike is creating a new type of haunting experience by introducing Utah’s largest Halloween expo, “Fear Con.” The inaugural Fear Con happens October 28 and 29 at the Salt Palace Convention Center. “This convention is going to be something you can bring your whole family to,” said Hardle. “We wanted this to be something that everyone in the family could enjoy, so we created a Spooky Con section for kids with its own entrance.”
Hardle has raised a family in Lehi for over ten years. He is originally from Draper and has had his own businesses for as long as he can remember—from reselling used fireworks to his neighborhood friends to producing feature films. Hardle’s main business is Fresco Press, a company that produces custom apparel, marketing, event management, design and social media.
“I went to college originally planning on becoming a lawyer,” said Hardle. “After a few classes I knew that wasn’t for me. I’ve always enjoyed running my own business and having freedom to do what I want and love. Halloween is something I’ve always enjoyed and I’m able to blend my passions together to create a really unique experience for everyone in Utah.”
Fear Con will feature cosplay, street performers, fire handlers, magicians, spooky vendors, kids’ corner, three haunted escape rooms, virtual reality, a creepy carnival, freak show alley, a zombie survival course and much more. To purchase tickets or learn more visit http://www.fearconutah.com.
