Zombies to invade Owego; October 25

In true Halloween spirit, the ‘undead’ will invade Owego for Owego Parkview’s second annual Zombie Fest to take place Oct. 25, from 2 to 8 p.m. at their 145 Front St., Owego, N.Y. restaurant and hotel; and at Draper Park, located directly across from the Parkview.

With Tioga Downs (www.tiogadowns.com) serving as a major sponsor for this event, hosted by The Owego Parkview Hotel and Restaurant and Philly Rock Radio’s Music, Movies & Mayhem; and Tioga State Bank also stepping in as a sponsor (www.tiogabank.com); Owego’s Zombie Fest will be free to everyone who attends and will include activities for both adults and youth.

The road will be closed off for the event, with choreographed activities that include dance performances, live music, a Make and Take for children, and a “Get Your Zombie On” that offers guests, young and old, an opportunity to paint their face for the occasion. There will also be a secure Zombie Walk through downtown Owego.

Last year’s event attracted over 800 guests – some traveling from as far north as Watertown, N.Y. – and organizers are anticipating that number will double this year.

At 2 p.m., and as activities open to the public, the face painters will be set up for “Get Your Zombie On”, and at 2:30 p.m. Wreckless Marci will take the stage, with sound provided by Mark Bennett of Shark Audio.

Wreckless Marci is a Binghamton, N.Y. based party band established in 2001 by founding members Craig Palmer (lead guitarist) and Matt Jensen (drummer). In recent years, Mark Sedlock joined as bassist, adding a unique groove to the mix.

All pieces fell into place when Sonny Weeks (vocalist and front man), a Pennsylvania native, joined in August 2012.

Contrary to Mayan beliefs, this was not “The End of the World” for Wreckless Marci. The band has become a staple in the Southern Tier, having one of the most eclectic, action packed, fun filled shows around.

Tioga Artistic Dance Studio (TADA), tiogaartisticdanceacademy.weebly.com/, will begin performing in front of the music stage at the end of Wreckless Marci’s set, and will then perform “Calling All Monsters” and a brief rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” from 4:30 p.m. to approximately 5 p.m.

At 5 p.m., the Owego Gymnastics and Activity Center, www.owegogymnastics.com, will lead the crowd for a Zombie Walk around town. The walk, in true Zombie fashion, will be secured with assistance from Owego’s Fire Police, and will travel down Front Street to Lake Street, down Lake Street to Main Street, then to Parker Lane and return to Owego’s Parkview and Draper Park on Front Street.

Upon their return, the Recycled Zombies, with Jim Popeck and some of their original members, will perform from approximately 5:45 to 8 p.m. with special guests Highline rounding out their set.

Highline members include Dan Cafferty, lead vocals, rhythm guitar; Paul Tauterouff, lead and rhythm guitar, and backing vocals; Sid Peak – bass and backing vocals; and Mark Lawrence, drums and backing vocals.

At this time as well, and as the darkness sets in, the Tioga Theater, established in 1908 in Tioga County, N.Y. will project the original, black and white “Night of the Living Dead” off the side of the Owego Parkview building during the evening performances.

Throughout the day, for the younger zombies, Tioga United Way (www.tiogaunitedway.com) will be hosting a “Make and Take”, and for adults there will be raffles for prize giveaways that include gift certificates to Turkey Trot Acres; a free breakfast, lunch, or dinner at Owego’s Parkview Hotel and Restaurant; gymnastic lessons by the Owego Gymnastics and Activity Center; and merchandise from Tender Loving Care by Maureen’s located on Lake Street in Owego.

For adult zombies, there will be a “Spooky Tent” set up by the Binghamton Paranormal Investigation Research Society (BPIRS). Both the “Spooky Tent” and “Make and Take” will take place in Owego’s Draper Park.

The master of ceremonies and host for the event will be Heather Black from Philly Rock Radio’s Music, Movies & Mayhem (www.facebook.com/MusicMoviesandMayhem).

For those looking to continue their evening in Owego, Owego’s Parkview will remain open, and there will also be a party at the Owego Elk’s Lodge located a couple blocks down Front Street, and across from the Barleycorn.

For more information, Like the “Owego Zombie Fest” or “Owego’s Parkview Hotel / Restaurant” on Facebook.

The Owego Parkview Hotel and Restaurant is listed as part of New York’s Haunted History Trail (http://hauntedhistorytrail.com/), as well as the Calaboose Grille (www.calaboosegrille.com), located on the corner of Main and Court Streets, in the old Tioga County Jail in Owego, N.Y. So enjoy Halloween along New York’s Haunted History Trail and celebrate with Owego’s 2nd Annual Zombie Fest.