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News • New Mexico • United States • 2011-10-19

The Dead of Las Cruces Are Rising Up For Zombie Walk 2011 Lurching Back to Life Along Main Street

LAS CRUCES, N.M. - Last year, the dead of Southwest New Mexico rose up and took over Main Street in the first ever Las Cruces Zombie Walk. Hundreds turned out to weave, lurch and shamble through downtown, while friends and relations snapped photos and cheered their favorite zombies on. This year, they\'ll do it all over again, making women faint, children scream and men jibber in fear! Then they\'ll end the evening with a good old fashioned dance party in front of the Rio Grande Theatre, courtesy of local party band, The Phuzz. Open to all ages and free of charge, it\'s more family fun than you can shake a shovel at!

Just as last year, and in keeping with nationally recognized \"rules\" of such events, zombie attire is mandatory to be included in the walk and all participants are asked to remain in character, communicating only in a manner consistent with zombie behavior, i.e. grunts, groans, moans and the occasional slurred call for \"brains.\" Those zombies who go above and beyond will also be recognized after the walk, when prizes are given for \"Most Original,\" Most Disgusting,\" and \"Best Group or Couple.\"

Adding to the excitement, this year, local band the Phuzz will provide proof that the dead CAN dance in a street dance party outside the Rio Grande Theatre, directly following the Zombie Walk. Ultimate Fitness will also be on hand to present a demonstration of the latest craze sweeping the nation, Zombie Zumba! Also on tap will be the return of the Las Cruces High School Dancers, whose rendition of Michael Jackson\'s Thriller was a highlight of last year\'s event. And to round out the evening, all are invited to shamble over to the Alameda House after 8pm for the 4th Annual Halloween Disco/Zombie Ball, where the party will continue well into the night.

\"We are SO ready to do this,\" said Zombie Walk organizer David Salcido. \"It was touch and go, there for a while. Our funding was in question, because there was talk that an event like this has no intrinsic community value, but what\'s more community building than dressing up like dead people and parading around the newly resurrected downtown area with friends and neighbors? Very Dia de los Muertos, if you ask me. With the surprise success of last year\'s event, we couldn\'t just let it die, so with a lot of perseverance and some good old fashioned hoodoo, we\'re ready to roll out a dead can dance party for the record books!\"

Zombies are asked to begin gathering in front of the Rio Grande Theatre, 211 N. Main Street, at 5:45pm. The Zombie Walk will take place at 6pm, followed by live entertainment in front of the Rio Grande Theatre. The 4th Annual Halloween Disco/Zombie Ball will take place at the Alameda House, 526 S. Alameda, beginning at 8pm. For more information on Zombie Walk 2011, visit the website at www.RioGrandeTheatre.com. For information on the 4th Annual Halloween Ball, visit www.SouthernNMPride.org.

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