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Details and Prizes Announced for 2023 Lansdale Zombie Walk

Discover Lansdale has announced the details for the 2023 Lansdale Zombie Walk, scheduled for the November First Friday on Nov. 3.

The fan favorite event 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:

  • Zombie Bull Riding (Susquehanna Avenue)

  • Zombie Maze (South Wood Street)

  • Zombie Walk (West Main to Cannon and back)

  • Zombie photo scavenger hunt (Across the event space)

  • Thriller Dance (Railroad Plaza)

  • Costume contests (Railroad Plaza)

  • Zombie Attack (Railroad Plaza)

  • Zombie Bounce House (Railroad Plaza)

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 welcome to bring donations as well. A list of needed items can be found here.

ZOMBIE WALK

Zombies 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 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 five contests:

Contest categories and prizes include:

  • Best Overall Zombie: Trophy, $200 tattoo gift certificate to Tell-Tale Art Studios,  $100 gift cards to Lansdale Tavern and the Healthy Shack, free PA Inspection (including emissions) at Cuce Auto, Discover Lansdale swag, and more.

  • Best Zombie Couple: Trophy, $100 gift card to Round House, escape room passes for two at Escapopolis, $50 gift card to Well Crafted Beer Co., Discover Lansdale swag, and more

  • Best Zombie Kid: Trophy, gift cards and merch from Comic Zen, Henning’s Trains, and Classic Game Junkie, Discover Lansdale swag, and more.

  • Best Survivor: Trophy, $100 gift card to Imprint Beer Co. and the Gnarcadium, $100 Visa gift card courtesy of North Penn Now, Discover Lansdale swag, and more.

  • Photo Scavenger Hunt: Prize to be determined, value in excess of $150

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. Judging will be performed by event coordinators.

FOOD TRUCKS AND VENDORS

Organizers expect to have roughly seven food trucks, with another handful of non-vehicle food vendors throughout the event space.

Food trucks and vendors include:

Sweet Thangs(Railroad Plaza)
Moshava (Railroad Plaza)
Thai Jai Dee (Railroad Plaza)
Slurp Philly (Railroad Plaza)
Tot Rod (Beer Garden)
Funella Funnel Cakes (Wood Street)
Fiesta Churros (Wood Street)

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.

BEER GARDEN

The November First Friday Pop-Up Beer Garden lineup 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 House.

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.

KIDS’ ZONE

For the November First Friday, Discover Lansdale has booked four zombie-themed activities that will be spread out across the event space. Those activities include bull riding, a Zombie Attack inflatable, a Zombie Bounce House, and a Zombie 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.

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 2023 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 2023 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.

First Fridays in 2023 were sponsored in part by C&J Automotive of LansdaleElton & Thompson Structural Engineers, and Montco Elder Law. For sponsorship info for the 2024 season, click here.

(Editor’s Note: the author of this article is also a board member with Discover Lansdale and serves as their First Friday Committee Chairman.)

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