Zombies chasing screaming humans through downtown Longview may sound like a nightmarish scenario to some people, but Anna Goff is dying to make it happen this Halloween.
After reading about a Humans vs. Zombies game of tag that drew several thousand people to Norfolk, Va., last fall, Goff decided to organize "Apocalypse 2011: Zombies Invade Longview."
"I thought, I would totally do that if somebody organized it. So why don't I be the person who organizes it?" said Goff, 39, a former ranger for the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument who now runs DIY Party Supplies on Commerce Avenue for her mother-in-law, Donna Goff.
Zombie tag has been growing in popularity around the country since the game originated at Goucher College in Baltimore in 2005. Each event sets its own rules, but the basic idea is for zombies to tag humans, turning them into zombies in pursuit of brains. Zombies receive points for each of their "kills." The games are part foot race, part zombie apocalypse, and involve humans trying to reach various checkpoints and bonus areas to collect "inoculations."
Goff liked the concept because it sounded like fun and Longview doesn't have many Halloween activities for adults. She also thought it would be a great way to promote downtown and her family's business to visitors and locals. If word spreads, it could attract participants from Portland and Seattle, she said.
"I think people are looking for something new and exciting, and I think this is new and exciting," said Goff, who presented the idea to the Longview Downtowners Association this month.
"If it brings lots of people down and there's lots of business that takes place, products sold and taxes collected, I'm all for it," said John Brickey, the city's community development director.
The event is tentatively set for Saturday, Oct. 15, depending on whether Goff can obtain the support of other business owners, city permits required for street closures and security personnel. She envisions family friendly activities such as costume contests, trick-or-treating at downtown businesses, Jack-o' lantern carving, a Jello-brain eating contest during the day. She'd love for a restaurant to host a zombie prom and a theater to show zombie movies.
To create the ambiance of an end-of-life-as-we-know it catastrophe, businesses and groups could set up "vignettes" downtown, such as a couple of wrecked cars towed together, she said. Sponsors can pay to be listed on the maps of check points.
After dark, the zombie tag — geared toward adults — would begin. Goff would like to block off city streets between 15th and 11th avenues from Maple to Florida Street to give players plenty of room to run - and hide. Participants would pre-register and pay $5 to play. Goff still hasn't decided how to differentiate zombies from humans, although sometimes they wear different colored T-shirts, and when humans are tagged, they peel off the top shirt.
"I absolutely encourage people to come dressed up as zombies to the full hilt, even if you're starting off as a human," she said.
Before she sets the rules, Goff is closely following the Facebook pages for upcoming zombie tag games in other communities to see what's working for them. For instance Johnston City, Tenn., held a citywide "Survive Johnston City" game Friday night.
Humans vs. Zombie games often involve Nerf dart guns, but Longview's game would use hands only, Goff said.
"I don't want people shooting at each other with anything," she said. "That's for the college campuses."
To suggest ideas for the event, go to Goff's Facebook page, "Apocalypse 2011: Zombies Invade Longview," or stop by DIY Party Supplies at 1318 Commerce Ave., Longview. The phone number is 360-423-3747.
