Spirit Halloween announces plans for the third annual ZOMBIE walk at Meadowbrook Mall.

 

Sporting their most creative zombie costumes and effects, individuals of all ages are invited to take part in the walk which will be held Saturday, Oct. 8. In addition to being a fun, seasonal event, the walk raises money for WVU Children’s Hospital as 100 percent of the proceeds are donated to the medical facility. At $5 per person, about $2,500 was raised the first year and combined with donations received throughout the Halloween season, $19,000 was raised in 2015, said regional Spirit Halloween Manager and Event Organizer James Vanscoy.

 

“Entire families turned out in their zombie makeup and costumes and spent the entire day at the mall,

said Meadowbrook Mall Marketing Director Robin Urquhart. “We love being able to offer events that are family-friendly, plus this event also generates donations to WVU Children’s Hospital.”

 

As he has done the first two years, Jeremy Ambler of “The Walking Dead” will be on hand as event special guest. He will lead the 8 p.m. ZOMBIE Walk which will start just outside of Target and proceed throughout the mall. From 4-7 p.m., Ambler will be at the Spirit Halloween tent for a meet and greet.

 

Between noon and 7 p.m., professional makeup artists will be at the Spirit tent and for a fee of $25 will provide makeup and special effects.

 

Those taking part in the ZOMBIE Walk can register at the Spirit Halloween tent between 12 to 7:45 p.m. The tent is located in the front mall parking lot. After paying the fee of $5, individuals will receive a bracelet indicating they are registered.

 

Vanscoy said he initiated the local ZOMBIE walk in 2014 after hearing about the success of walks in other parts of the state.

 

“We had nothing like it locally so I did some research to see what it would entail and decided to work with Robin at the mall and put one together,” Vanscoy said. “She was excited to try it and is always up for new ideas so we gave it a shot and it worked out pretty well.”

 

Knowing the popularity of “The Walking Dead” series, Vanscoy reached out to Ambler and asked him to be part of the ZOMBIE Walk. His participation has made the event even more fun and has likely drawn many people, Vanscoy said.

 

Spirit Halloween carries a full line of zombie gear including a “Walking Dead” section. By selling “Spirit for Children” bracelets, the store annually raises money for WVU Children’s Hospital throughout the Halloween season. 

 

Photos of the 2014 ZOMBIE Walk are by Ben Queen Photography.