The undead will rise in spooktacular fashion this Saturday for the annual Mount Gambier Zombie Walk, raising money for the children’s ward at the Mount Gambier Hospital.
Participants are encouraged to meet at Vansittart Park at 4pm for a 5pm start.
This year will be slightly different in honour of the 13th year, a significant symbol in horror culture.
Local band Higgsfield will perform during the day as a precursor of what’s to come when night hits and there will be a drag queen performance at Metro which will include Mount Gambier Zombie Walk organisers Kylie Bamford and Sharmaine Fogarty.
Miss Bamford said instead of handing out prizes to the best dressed, there would be trophies to recognise participants efforts.
“There will still be best dressed prizes for children … but we have been doing the same sort of thing over the last few years, so it is good to have a bit of a change,” she said.
“Halloween has picked up a lot over the years and the Zombie Walk in a way has changed due to Halloween because not everyone comes dressed as a zombie which we accept.
“We are getting a lot more Halloween costumes and people making their own stuff which is a really good way to win best dressed.
“It has really improved over the years, we have raised over $12,000 for local charities in our 12-year run.”
The event has previously donated to various local charities including the South East Animal Welfare League, Friends of Native Wildlife South East, Sunset Community Kitchen, Meals on Wheels SA, Four Reasons Why and Foodbank Limestone Coast.
Miss Bamford said despite events closing during COVID-19, the Zombie Walk experienced one of its busiest years in 2020.
“We were outside, so we were able to still do the event despite a restriction on numbers,” she said.
“We were very lucky we never had to miss a year.
“I always do a pep talk to thank everyone for coming and have them look around and accept one another because a lot of people have mental health issues.
“It is about just dressing up, getting out there and having a good time.
“Zombie Walk is an escape for the day because you can put makeup or a mask on and nobody knows who you are.
“As much as we love dressing up (as organisers) it is not for us, it is for everyone else and the charities.”
