ZOMBIE WALK TONIGHT: Third Annual Event to Benefit SafeHouse of the Desert

Organizers are planning to stage the Third Annual Zombie Walk Palm Springs to Benefit SafeHouse of the Desert on Thursday Oct. 31 in Palm Springs.

Zombie Walk Palm Springs is an organized public gathering of people who dress up in zombie costumes, according to organizers. Participants will make their way through Palm Springs VilageFest as a type of street theater.

The walk is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. Halloween Night at the corner of Baristo and South Palm Canyon, organizers said. The event is intended to be family-friendly and people of all ages are invited to participate.

"Zombies in need of makeup assistance should visit the College of the Desert Theatrical Makeup booth starting at 6pm, organizers said.

Participants are asked to bring a non-perishable food item or personal hygiene item to benefit SafeHouse of the Desert.

"Zombie Walk Palm Springs is the brainchild of local chef Chad Gardner and Rolando 'Roly' Paz, both Zombie enthusiasts who sought to bring Palm Springs its first Zombie Walk in 2011," organizers said.

"The idea of a Zombie Walk Palm Springs was so well received that Gardner and Paz decided to 'do good' and make the event a benefit for local charity, SafeHouse of the Desert. Now in its third year, Zombie Walk Palm Springs is held annually during the Palm Springs VillageFest Halloween Spooktacular."

SafeHouse of the Desert is billed as the Coachella Valley's only 24/7 shelter for youth in crisis. The non-profit provides emergency shelter, intervention and outreach services to runaway, homeless, trafficked and other youth in crisis. For more info about SafeHouse of the Desert visit http://safehouseofthedesert.com.

For more info about Zombie Walk Palm Springs 2013 contact Mysty Stewart at (707) 235-7314 or visit the Zombie Walk website www.zombiewalkpalmsprings.com.