Zombies set to invade downtown Main Street
Cassie McClure, For Pulse
While the Las Cruces downtown area has been renovated, it's still not safe from the zombie hordes. In fact, if you would like to be part of the zombie horde, here's your chance. The seventh annual Zombie Walk will take place Saturday on Main Street and the new Plaza de Las Cruces.
Last year, a staggering amount of people — about 3,000 — attended the event. People came with costumes to participate in the walk or just to watch the undead creativity.
"Of all of the events held downtown in October, Zombie Walk is by far the biggest," said Janet Beatty-Payne, Project MainStreet committee member. "This has become a tradition with Las Cruces families and every year the numbers participating and attending this event just gets bigger,"
Project MainStreet, a nonprofit group made up of five volunteers, are dedicated to giving the families of Las Cruces opportunities to enjoy fun, free events downtown. Project MainStreet also puts on the Las Cruces Chile Drop on New Year's Eve on Main Street and coordinates the highly popular Kid's Night Out events.
Zombie aficionado Ralph Reyes and his wife Stephanie and daughters Oriana and Briana look forward to the event every year, trying to come up with the best theme.
"People love the unknown," Reyes said. "Death is one of those things that you don't know about and it fascinates people."
The family attended their first event together with a "rock 'n' roll gone wrong" theme — one daughter was decorated with a guitar going through her body. Last year, Reyes was an alive and unafflicted father who refused to put his undead daughter (Briana) out of her misery. Reyes, a local artist, has a background that helps him think of ways to create the macabre. "This year she'll be parts of a body in a wheelbarrow," he said.
This year there is no theme to dressing up, so anything zombie-related goes. But if you don't want to try your hand at dressing up, there are things to watch aside from all the killer zombies. A Thriller Dance will be performed by Alma d'Arte Charter High School, The Beaux Peep Show will be the featured band and there will be a dance performance by HD2 Hip Hop Studio.
Food trucks and vendors will also be on hand, along with live music and dancing.
There is no fee for this event, but registration starting at 5 p.m. is requested. Registration tables will be located on the west side of the stage in the plaza. Prizes are given out for: Best Zombie Group, Best Adult Costume and Best Youth Costume.
The zombie parade will begin at 7 p.m. on Main Street near Coas Bookstore and will travel up to Griggs Avenue, and up onto the stage of the new Plaza de Las Cruces for judging.
"Everyone gets a moment on the stage to shine in all of their zombie glory," Beatty-Payne said.
Cassie McClure is a freelance writer and may be reached at cassiemcclure@gmail.com.
What: Seventh annual Zombie Walk
When: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22
Where: Downtown Main Street and Plaza de Las Cruces
Info:facebook.com/ProjectMainstreetLC