Key West The Newspaper

Calling all ghouls: it’s time to get your Zombie on with WeCycle’s 6th Annual Zombie Bike Ride on Sunday, October 25th. The popular pedaling promenade begins at 2pm at Fort East Martello located at 3501 South Roosevelt Boulevard, a civil war-era fort home to Robert the Doll and stewarded by Key West Art & Historical Society.

The parade’s new starting point at the Fort was initiated last year and helped accommodate the growing number of participants while also alleviating past year’s traffic congestion.

“We clearly hit a nerve in Key West with this event,” says event coordinator and WeCycle co-owner Evan Haskell, remarking on its success. “Every year it’s just been a matter of coping with the growth.”

Originally started in 2009 as an extension of WeCycle Bike Shop and a film project idea developed by event co-coordinator and WonderDog Productions Designer Marky Pierson, the home-grown, grass-roots cycling event included “about forty people,” says Haskell.

“‘Ride a Bike & Change the World’ was at the core,” says Pierson, commenting on the initial event that focused on bicycle culture and promotion. “Everyone was simply having a fun time riding the streets with close friends.”

Now, in its “Zombie” manifestation, the event has upwards of seven thousand costumed participants of all ages. Haskell and Pierson have woven in their love of Latin America’s “Day of the Dead” celebrations to help embrace the true spirit of Halloween, which colorfully and festively honors saints and those that have passed.

“The Zombie Bike Ride embodies the creative culture and spirit the Florida Keys are known for,” says Key West Art & Historical Society Executive Director Michael Gieda, whose organization is steward to Fort East Martello. “We are happy to support the event by offering the Fort as the event’s starting point and family-friendly pre-party.”

The famed, four mile pedaling parade of ghouls on wheels begins with an all-age-welcome, pre-event celebration beginning at 2pm at the parade grounds on the far, east side of the Fort. Activities will include a concert featuring Revel in Dimes, a contemporary Delta Blues meets Rock and Roll band that starts at 4pm, face painting, food vendors, beer and wine, and a special Kid’s Zone provided by Healthy Start.

Haskell encourages families to participate (with protective helmets for children) and stresses that they do not need to do the entire length of the ride, which departs at 6pm from the Fort.

“They can come to the fort, enjoy the kids zone and music, then ride and peel off whenever they want,” he says.

Event organizers also encourage everyone to register for the event, which necessitates barricades, traffic control, police, insurance, and street closures and depends on the support from the $5 registration fee; Beat the registrations lines the day of the event by registering online at zombiebikeride.com or in person at WeCycle starting October 12th.

They also seek sponsors; contact them at [email protected]. Bike rentals are readily available for delivery from wecyclekw.com as are event shirts and gear. Partial proceeds from the event support Key West Art & Historical education programs. Please note there will be no parking available for vehicles at the Fort. For more information call 305. 294.7433 or visit zombiebikeride.com.

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