Zombie Fest ready to rise from the dead again

Zombie Fest is set to rise from the grave again at Milton Theatre starting at 4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 21.

Milton Theatre Director Fred Munzert said this year’s edition of Zombie Fest will be a real, live street festival, after the theater was given permission by the town council to close Union Street from Magnolia to Federal streets. The event, to be held rain or shine, is free to the public. Last year’s festival drew about 3,000 people.

Munzert said the street closure plan will allow the theater to have a more open festival. Whereas last year people had to cram into the rear of the Milton Theatre House property, this year will have vendors and freak show performers in the street.

“I always wanted Zombie to be a buskers festival,” Munzert said. “I wanted all this stuff going on in the street, so every time you turn there’s another performance going on, and when you add in people coming in costume, it gives this energized environment.”

Among the new freak show performances is an aerialist, to go along with jugglers, unicyclists, stilt walkers and fire dancers. Three bands will take the Quayside Stage over the course of the event, starting with the Nick Kashmanian Trio followed by Lower Case Blues, with a headlining performance by Caligula Blushed, a tribute to The Smiths. Inside the theater will be performances of The Rocky Horror Show, although those performances require paid admission.

For youngsters, there will be the usual KidsFest, which will feature a costume contest, face painting, bounce houses and balloon animals. Munzert said the event will have eight food trucks and 40 vendors along Union Street. He added that volunteers to work the event are still being accepted. 

A new wrinkle this year, Munzert said, is there will be shuttle service from Dogfish Head brewery off Chestnut Street to the festival. Dogfish Head is also sponsoring two bars, one at the Quayside Stage and one behind the Milton Theatre House. 

The festival will conclude with the Zombie Walk, where grizzly ghouls will make their way down Union Street. Munzert said those wishing to walk should register at the Milton Theatre’s website, although there is no cost to walk. The festival will conclude at 9 p.m. 

“We’re really excited about it,” Munzert said. “Just expanding it out, it makes it easy on us.”

For more information, go to www.miltontheatre.com/zombiefest.