Zombie sightings have risen in Innisfail.
Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools' EDGE youth ministry hosted a Zombie Apocalypse on May 21 from 8 to 10 p.m. at Innisfail's Centennial Park for youth aged 11 to 18.
EDGE ministries is run at St. Marguerite Bourgeoys School, Our Lady of Peace Church, Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools, and Catholic churches throughout Central Alberta.
“The Zombie Apocalypse was a fun evening,” said Jeanette Manser, EDGE youth worker. “We did one like this in September of last year for middle schools in Red Deer and area which included St. Marguerite Bourgeoys and had 200 kids show up. It was a big night with 40 kids attending, but not as big as we would have hoped for the Innisfail-only apocalypse.”
Manser said the Zombie Apocalypse is a modified game of hide-and-seek played towards evening where two kids are chosen to be a designated Jesus, or the Antichrist. Both hide in the dark and the goal of the other youth is to find Jesus and hide with him. If the Antichrist catches a student, they become a zombie and help recruit others.
“The kids enjoyed the evening, and got to walk around like zombies,” added Manser. “As zombies do not speak, all we heard was the sounds of kids yelling in the forest and grunts from the captured. It really is a game the kids could play all night.”
She added the group also played a version of Hunger Games based on the popular film and book series of the same name, which had students fight to the death with Styrofoam swords.
“Events like this give our youth something different to do and allows them to build friendships across schools and grade levels,” said Manser. “In late September we will be holding our next mega-event, which will include Zombie Apocalypse again.”
She added community members from grades 5 to 12 are welcome to attend EDGE activities. Manser can be contacted at 403-872-5191 for more information.
