Discover Lansdale has announced the details for the annual Lansdale Zombie Walk, scheduled for the November First Friday on Nov. 4.
The fan favorite event, which has been cancelled three of the last four years due to weather and the COVID-19 pandemic, will return with the full slate of zombie-themed contests and activities as well as the staple features of Lansdale First Fridays including food trucks, entertainment and the beer garden.
Details below.
UNIQUE ACTIVITIES
Unique activities for the Lansdale Zombie Walk include
STAGING AREA / FREE MAKEUP / FOOD DRIVE FOR MANNA
The
staging area will be located at Century Plaza (100 West Main Street), and free
makeup services will be offered from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Do not wait until the
last minute for makeup, as the line always runs long.
Anyone who has not been provided makeup by the start time of the event will be
given fake blood and turned into a survivor
The free makeup and staging area will serve as a drop-off point for donations to Manna on Main Street. Guests who are receiving free makeup are asked to bring at least one non-perishable donation for the food drive, and other guests are welcomed to bring donations as well. A list of needed items can be found here.
ZOMBIE WALK / HEARSE PARADE
After the hearses and emergency vehicles have engaged in the parade, the horde of zombies will be released upon the town.
Zombies and vehicles will push off the staging area at 6:15 p.m. Zombies will walk down West Main Street to Wood Street, where they will then cross and walk to Railroad Plaza for the Thriller Dance and contest judging.
THRILLER DANCE
Upon the completion of the walk portion of the evening, DJ Chris Evans and choreographer Miranda Trejo will jump right into the group Thriller Dance at Railroad Plaza. The dance portion is tentatively scheduled for 6:45 p.m.
CONTESTS AND TIMING
One of the hallmarks of the Lansdale Zombie Walk is the myriad contests and the high value of the prizes that are given to the winners. For this year, there will be a total of six contests, with the prizes themselves being announced in a separate article the week of the event.
Contest categories include:
All winners will also receive trophies to celebrate their victory.
For the Best Overall Zombie, Best Zombie Couple, Best Zombie
Kid and Best Survivor categories, judging will occur at Railroad Plaza at 7
p.m. immediately following the Thriller Dance. Initial judging will be
performed by event coordinators, however the final winners will likely be
judged by a celebrity guest who just so happens to be in town that evening. (details
are still being finalized, announcement pending).
Should the celebrity guest appearance fall through, the event coordinators will
determine the winners.
FOOD TRUCKS AND VENDORS
Organizers expect to have roughly six to seven food trucks, with another handful of non-vehicle food vendors throughout the event space.
Food trucks will be lined up single file on Madison Street at Railroad Plaza. Additionally, non-vehicle food vendors will be placed along South Wood Street and inside the beer garden at the West Main Lot.
ENTERTAINMENT
November First Friday will feature music at three locations: DJ Mixology on South Wood Street, DJ Chris Evans at Railroad Plaza, and DJ Tone Arm at the West Main Lot Beer Garden.
Music and performances will begin at each location around 6 p.m. and end at 9 p.m. Additionally, there will be a magician performing at Railroad Plaza beginning around 6:30 p.m.
BEER GARDEN
The First Friday Pop-Up Beer Garden at the West Main Lot has bolstered its offerings for its fourth season, with an emphasis on more choice and more fun. The lineup for November includes:
The West Main Lot Beer Garden will also feature tables and chairs, food offerings, and music. Additionally, alcoholic beverages will be available on South Wood Street, courtesy of Round Guys Brewing Co.
All guests must be 21+ to drink, and all drinks must remain in the event space where they were purchased. Carrying drinks from one location to another is strictly prohibited.
ZOMBIE ZONE
For the November First Friday, Discover Lansdale has booked a trio of zombie-themed activities that will all be located on South Wood Street. Those activities include bull riding, mobile ax throwing (the real deal, not inflatable) and a maze.
Instead of charging fees for each specific attraction, guests will be required to purchase a $5 wristband at the Discover Lansdale tent at Railroad Plaza, which will allow guests unlimited access to the rides. Wristbands can also be purchased on South Wood Street.
This change was made to streamline the event on the organizing end and save money for guests with children or teens.
In addition to the attraction, kids will be able to partake in free face painting, as well as balloon art courtesy of Scott Myers. There is no fee for face paint or balloon art, though tips are encouraged.
PHOTO SCAVENGER HUNT
The photo scavenger hunt has returned as a recurring activity for each First Friday in the 2022 season, with a winner being drawn at the end of each event.
Seven photos will be added to the Discover Lansdale Facebook page in the days leading up to the event. To participate, you must be able to identify all seven locations, write them down (along with your name and contact info), and submit it at the Discover Lansdale booth at Railroad Plaza by 9 p.m.
A winner will then be drawn at random, who will receive a gift worth $150 from a local sponsor (prizes will be announced in a separate article closer to the event).
TIMING, WEATHER, CONTACT INFO
First Fridays begin at 6 p.m. and end at 9 p.m. Road closures include South Wood Street from Main to Courtland, Madison Street from Main to the end of the one-way, and Susquehanna Ave. from Main to Courtland.
Should there be a threat of inclement weather, a decision will be announced by 1 p.m. regarding whether or not the event will be held. There is no rain date for First Fridays.
Anyone seeking additional information should email [email protected].
UPCOMING EVENTS AND THEMES
The Zombie Walk will conclude Discover Lansdale’s 2022 First Friday season. Organizers wish to thank the community for their support throughout the season, as well as the vendors and sponsors who make the events possible.
(Editor’s Note: the author of this article is also a board member with Discover Lansdale and serves as their First Friday Committee Chairman.)
See also:
Annual Lansdale Chili Cookoff Headlines Blocktoberfest First Friday
Got Championship Chili? Enter Discover Lansdale's Oct. 7 FF Cook-Off
Musical Performance by Real World Hollywood’s Brianna Taylor Headlines September First Friday
Breakdancing, Costume Contest, Water Slides Headline ‘Back to the 80s’ August First Friday
Photos: July First Friday Draws Large Crowds to Lansdale
