Walking Dead Set To Take To Salem Streets

SALEM, MA — It could be a frightful sight in downtown Salem next Saturday afternoon when the annual "Zombie Walk" returns to the city for the first time in two years.

Canceled last year because of the coronavirus crisis, walkers will be bounding about Salem streets and sidewalks once again in 2021 for the 12th year on Oct. 2.

This is a family-friendly event that begins at Salem Common and meanders through New Liberty Street, Essex Street, Central Street, Front Street, Artist Row, New Derby, Wharf Street, Hebert Street, back to Essex and ends on the Common.

Walkers are asked to meet at 11 a.m. with the roughly hour-long walk to start at noon.

This event is billed as the annual kickoff to the monthlong Halloween celebration in the holiday's unofficial hometown.

Salem police said they expect rolling road closures may be necessary to accommodate the walkers.

Those interested in joining the parade of the undead can go to the Zombie Walk Facebook page.

Because of business hardships from the pandemic, Zombie Walk organizers said they did not seek out sponsors this year, but are collecting donations here to help offset the cost of event insurance, police detail and other expenses.

Did you find this article useful? Invite a friend to subscribe to Patch.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)