All ages can party zombie style at Batfest

Bats might not be attending the Batfest this year, but zombies will.This year, Batfest will be from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22 at Batavia#146;s downtown Riverwalk.From 10 a.m. to noon, kids can trick-or-treat at downtown businesses, and parents can shop for in-season fruit at the farmers market. Feeling competitive? Bring your own pumpkin to the pumpkin roll contest on Houston Street to see which pumpkin makes the farthest. Boy Scout Troop 6 will be selling pumpkins for $1.#147;The festival is free for all families and it (helps) Batavia to draw families into the downtown area,#148; said Joi Cuartero, executive director of Batavia Mainstreet.At 11:15 a.m. children can meet in the Batavia Public Library for stories and songs. The Batavia Mothers Club, an organization of moms that work for improving the quality of life for children, and police will escort children in a Halloween parade to the Riverwalk. The Monster Mash taught by Batavia Academy of Dance will be followed by a costume contest at 1:30 p.m.#147;This walk is a family event that hopes to tie the community together,#148; said Meg Kardelis, community relation chair of Mothers Club. In previous years, Batfest would end at 2 p.m. but due to a new zombie walk and a dance party, the fest will provide games, parades and contests all day long. #147;The zombie walk is for kids that are too old to trick-or-treat but too young to go out to the bars for Halloween,#148; said Cuartero.Zombie walk will have three #147;quarantine zones#148; where teens can meet up and get a zombie makeover. The quarantine zones are at 222 E. Wilson St., Clark Island and 347 McKee St. #147;Our goal is to have at least 150 people attend the zombie walk,#148; said Cuartero. The zombie walk ends with a zombie dance party from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Cuartero said that the dance party is for families to hang out, listen to music, and dance to some Halloween songs.Local businesses like Bulldogs Red Hots and North Island Deli Shoppe will offer discounts for costumers dressed up for Batfest.Batfest will be at the downtown Batavia River walk, 100 N. Island Ave in Batavia. For information, visit downtownbatavia.com or call (630) 761-3528. Admission is free.