October 21, 2011

Imagine 20 people are the last survivors of a zombie infestation that has devastated a small town. Armed with weapons, this ragtag group has boarded a trailer, leaving the town on a one-and-a-half mile road through 46 acres of zombie territory. They’ve infested the butcher shop, the water treatment plant, the cemetery and everything else. They’re coming for everyone and there’s nothing left to do but shoot.

If that sounds like a dramatic scene from the latest zombie flick, it’s not. It’s a popular alternative-paintball attraction named Zombie Safari Hayride at Mid-Missouri’s largest haunted venue, Fear Fest Haunted House. Students who are dismayed at the ending of MU’s weeklong live role-play zombie game need not fret: Shooting zombies is still a possibility.

“This is one of two events like this in the country,” owner Greg Allen says. “I’ve only seen one other event like this, and they basically copied off of me.”

This is the second year running for Zombie Safari Hayride and Allen says it has been very popular.

“Last year we had an hour wait for it,” he says. “We have not had one complaint about it.”

In Zombie Safari Hayride, participants are given paintball guns with 75 special glow-in-the-dark paintballs before they board a 32-foot trailer and are given only one objective: to shoot zombies.

“You can actually see the paint hit the zombies,” Allen says. “Everyone wants to shoot something but not get shot. Here, there’s not a single chance for you to be shot at. This is a chance for 5-year-olds to 95-year-olds to take out their frustration and just shoot some zombies.”

Zombie fighters can also shoot targets set up in the 46-acre area of specially built sets that includes a water treatment plant, containment facility and railroad station – all overridden with the mindless undead, of course.

Sophomore Kyle Smith said the attraction is definitely something that would draw attention to a college age group and that he is interested in going.

“Zombies are appealing,” Allen says. “It kind of brings a real-life environment to games like ‘Call of Duty’ that people play.”

Sophomore Kevin McColloch agrees and says he likes the glow-in-the-dark paint feature.

“I’ve always enjoyed first-person zombie shooting games, and I’ve always enjoyed paintball,” McColloch says. “The whole apocalyptic thing is cool because it’s fun to imagine you’re one of the last survivors. The fact that I can see if I’ve hit the zombies or not is even better.”

Zombie Safari Hayride runs Thursday through Sunday and is a seasonal feature, but Allen said Fear Fest might offer special opportunities for corporations or birthday parties.

“Zombies are a hip thing right now,” Allen says.

Tickets cost $18 for just the Zombie Safari Hayride or $23 for a package that includes a walk through the haunted house. Five dollar coupons are available with purchase at White Castles on Thursdays and at Subways on Sundays.

No zombies are harmed in the making of this safari hayride. Every “zombie” wears a costume on top of a protective suit and mask, Allen says.

The entire Zombie Safari Hayride lasts about 15 minutes — a little longer on Thursdays and Sundays, the less-crowded days. Allen says the ending includes a surprise, but would not reveal what happens.

“Let’s just say it definitely ends with a bang,” Allen says.

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