MORGANTOWN — Though it’s not quite Halloween, expect to see plenty of ghouls Saturday at the Morgantown Mall.
For the first time, Spirit Halloween will host Deadfall Zombie Walk and Concert to benefit the Child Life Program at WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital.
“One hundred percent of every dollar we take goes to the program,” said Casey Sutton, organizer and store manager. “They’re not funded by insurance … and they really survive off of this money collected during the fall season.”
The Child Life Program, which is free of charge, helps children and adolescents deal with the stress and uncertainty of illness, injury, disability and hospitalization. That may come in the form of bedside activities, pre- and post-procedural education, medical and developmental play, pet therapy, and special events/visitors.
While the store hosted a fundraising dance in the past, Sutton wanted to switch it up this year.
“Hopefully, it being a little bit earlier in the month, we’ll be able to draw a crowd,” he said.
The walk will begin at 7:30 p.m., with line-up at 7 p.m. at the concourse area near Spencer’s. The zombies will make their way through the Morgantown Mall, exiting by Spirit Halloween and walking to the old Belk side parking lot, where there will be a stage with area bands. The first act will perform at 7:45 p.m.
Those interested in having their makeup professionally done may come as early as noon. Cost is $25.
In addition to the music in the parking lot, there will also be fire spinners, a fire-breather and an inflatable, haunted bounce house maze. The band lineup will include Haggard Wülf, Psalms of Silence, Within Our Power, Good Ju Ju and Electric Noise Church.
“Like the rest of the event, the music is going to be family friendly, and hopefully it’s mostly Halloween oriented,” Sutton said. “I know Good Ju Ju is going to be pretty eerie. And some [of the bands] say they’re going to dress up.”
Russ’ Ribs will be on-hand, serving food.
“Obviously, zombies need their meat,” Sutton said, laughing.
Cost is $5 for the walk and participants aren’t required to pay any more for the show. For those wishing only to come to the concert, admission is $5.
The walk and concert will take place rain or shine, with an alternate route planned for inclement weather that will require little to no time outside (depending on the crowd size).
“I’m hoping for plenty of people,” Sutton said. “Maybe even the kids in the mall will see how much fun it is and decide to join.”
- The Deadfall Zombie Walk and Concert is set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Morgantown Mall. Line-up for the walk begins at 7 p.m. at the concourse area near Spencer’s. The first musical act will play at 7:45 p.m. in the side parking lot near the old Belk. Cost is $5 for the walk including admission to the concert, and $5 for the concert, for those not participating in the walk. Professional makeup will be available, beginning at noon. Cost is $25.
