By CAITLIN MCARTHUR
HEALESVILLE’S been infected and Hedgend Maze is ground zero.
Halloween at Hedgend was a sell-out event last year.
This year organisers are once again looking to wow, but in a different way.
Hedgend’s Lea Bowen said last year Hedgend offered Halloween without the fright.
With zombies set to take over the park, Ms Bowen said this year would be “all about the fright”.
“People said to us last year this is loads of family fun, but where’s the scary stuff?” Ms Bowen said.
There will be two separate events catering to a distinctly different audience.
For those looking for a more family friendly experience, Halloween at Hedgend will run for three weeks.
Fright lovers should look to 31 October. Ms Bowen said this will be the date of Healesville’s “contamination”.
The Fright Night will feature a Zombie Apocalypse trail.
Starting at the car park, groups of five or six will take a self-guided tour around the park and through the maze, all the while being pursued by zombies.
Hedgend is looking for about 50 volunteers to dress up as the rabid, flesh hungry zombies and chase the park’s visitors.
“We’re looking for people of all shapes and sizes, the more the merrier, really,” Ms Bowen said.
There will be two rehearsal nights and those interested just need to email their name and clothing size to lea@hedgend.com.au.
Ms Bowen said this was something completely different for Hedgend.
“Friday night (Fright Night) is a bit of an experiment. The zombie apocalypse is an experiment gone wrong, we’re hoping this is an experiment gone right,” Ms Bowen said.
She said the park was hoping to pull a different market and create a new tradition for Healesville.
Hedgend Halloween runs for three weeks and is full of family activities.
“It’s loads of fun, there’s the Halloween secret message, the holy pumpkin, fairies crossing over, the pagan patch, it’s all traditional Halloween,” Ms Bowen said.
Tickets for the Fright Trail are $20 per person. The trail is recommended for people 16 and over. Anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Children under the age of 13 will not be admitted.
For the family friendly, Hedgend Halloween tickets are $20 per person when purchased online. Tickets at the door are $24.
“A huge shout out for zombies and people willing to work backstage,” Ms Bowen said.
Volunteer positions are available as zombie actors, in costuming and make-up assistance or other back-stage positions.
“Anyone who wants to come and be a part of this event, they’re welcome to join us,” Ms Bowen said.
For more information check the Hedgend Facebook page www.facebook.com/pages/Hedgend-Maze.
