Farmington Bookstore Plans Fall Festival, Zombie Walk

Local businesses with "otherworldly" ties are joining forces to bring the community two events this month.

owner Salathiel Palland said she and more than two dozen vendors who offer health and wellness products and services will gather from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday at 23023 Orchard Lake Rd. for the Fall Fantasy Mind, Body and Spirit Festival.

The event is being organized by a group of businesses located in the office complex, which is located south of 10 Mile Road.

"In our complex, we have a group that meets about once a month," she said. "There are a lot of vendors in Farmington that do health and wellness stuff."

Palland said there will be speakers and workshops throughout the day on topics ranging from stress reduction and body image to Bowenwork, a form of soft-tissue massage, and ayurveda, a holistic system of medicine native to India.

Food vendors will also be on hand, and dancers will perform throughout the day.

"We'll have a children's area, too," Palland said.

Palland added that the event also includes a charity component. "A greyhound rescue group will be there, and part of the proceeds will go to S.O.U.L. (Source of Universal Love.)" That charity is operated by owner Ginger Wiechers.

Admission for the festival costs $5; children younger than 2 are admitted free.

The second event celebrates Off the Beaten Path's first anniversary Oct. 30 with an epic "Angels vs. Zombies" battle at in downtown Farmington. To celebrate the store's opening last year, zombies walked from the Orchard Lake Road location to the park. This year, they've been challenged by angels and saints from , owned by Diane Rothman.

"She and her group will meet us in the park, where we're going to do a choreographed dance to Lady Gaga's 'Bad Romance,' " Palland said. "We will have some rehearsals at the store. ... So far, I have about 35 zombies, and she has about 20 angels."

At the park, there will be a costume contest and music with a disc jockey. "It's our one-year anniversary, so we want to make it kind of a party," Palland said. A $2 donation is being requested to cover the cost of the food.

Anyone who wants to participate can just show up at the Governor Warner Mansion (where the angels will be departing) or Off the Beaten Path, from whence the zombies will shamble off, at about 3:30 p.m. The choreography is available on YouTube.com, Palland said. 

For team zombie information and to get more information about the choreography, call 248-987-2934 or email sal@otbp-bookstore.com. Saints/angels may call 248-987-2191 or email diane@sacredsage.com.