A free, all-ages Davis tradition on bikes, with zombie skydivers at the end, raising money for local kids who ride adaptive tricycles
(From press release) Davis is a bike town, and on Halloween the bikes come out in costume. The Zombie Bike Parade Festival returns on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Community Park, 1405 F St. It’s free, and everyone is welcome.
The parade (11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.). Zombies, skeletons, witches and whole costumed families ride nearly five miles from Community Park to Mace Ranch Park and back, at an easy pace. Any bicycle works, including e-bikes, cargo bikes and tandems. Helmets are required for riders under 18.
The festival (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.). Back at Community Park there are more than 25 activity stations, train rides, music, bounce houses, crafts, costume prizes, carnival food, a BMX stunt show and the Zombie Kingdom Quest. The Davis Skateboarding Group hosts a Monster Skate Jam at the Community Park skate park from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Early risers can start the day with the Monster Run Laser Run Challenge from 8 to 10 a.m., a free, timed run with laser target shooting from Davis Fencing Academy.
The big finale (2:30 p.m.). Costumed zombie skydivers from SkyDance Skydiving drop into Community Park with colored smoke and giant flags. The skydiving finale is made possible by Hallmark Properties of Davis.
Then on to downtown (3 to 5 p.m.). Families can walk over to the Downtown Spooktacular Trick-or-Treat Trail. It starts at Davis Commons, 500 1st St., and winds past dozens of downtown businesses handing out candy.
Why we do it. The festival raises money for NorCal Trykers, which builds custom adaptive tricycles for children with disabilities. Since 2019 the festival has raised more than $50,000 for them, helping build 42 trikes. Each one costs about $1,600, and each one lets a child feel the wind in their hair on a bike, some of them for the first time.
Made in Davis. The festival is produced by Davis Odd Fellows Lodge #169 with The Bike Campaign and the Davis Bike Club, with support from more than 130 local sponsors and a small army of volunteers. It started in 2019 with about 250 riders. It now draws around 3,500 people and has been voted one of the best events in Yolo County.
“This festival belongs to Davis,” said Festival Director Aaron Wedra. “It’s our bike culture, our downtown, our neighbors in costume and our local kids on their new trikes. Come ride with us, or just come watch the zombies fall from the sky.”
Want to help? Volunteers and local sponsors are still welcome. Details are at ZombieBikeParade.com.
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