Double good news for Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights fans:

1. As teased a couple months ago at Monsterpalooza, Halloween Horror Nights is holding a “Design a Character” contest, where the winning design will actually be used at this year’s event. Entries must be based on a classic Universal monster (Dracula, the Wolfman, Creature from the Black Lagoon, etc.*), and include both an original drawing of the character as well as a written description. Winners will be invited to the red carpet and into the Eyegore Awards that is held on opening of Halloween Horror Nights, where they “and a guest will be invited to experience the design’s unveiling.”

2. Buried right there in the official rules is confirmation of when Halloween Horror Nights will kick off this year: Friday, September 20, 2013.

This is just one day before they opened last year, but the big question is: with Halloween falling on a Thursday this year, will Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Night’s follow Orlando’s lead and also extend into November (until the 2nd, specifically)?

Alas, the more pressing date for those wanting to enter the fan contest is the entry deadline, July 1st, leaving less than a month to dream up and draw a brilliantly horrifying design. So get to the monster makin’!

*According to John Murdy, Frankenstein’s monster and the Bride of Frankenstein are not included on this for a reason, though he hasn’t explained further.