Zombies and a ball

Rotorua's Cherie D'Bauche, aka Karen Hansen, will be among performers at the Halloween Masquerade Ball Cruise of the Damned, on the Lakeland Queen on Saturday night.

Walking zombies, burlesque beauties and a mystery midnight murder to solve.

Masks, fake blood and gore will be de rigueur for the fourth annual Zombie Walk and Halloween Party Masquerade Ball charity events tomorrow.

The Rotorua central shopping area will be overtaken at midday as a horde of weaving, swaying zombies stumble through the city, occasionally chasing an onlooker, on their way to Central Mall and back.

It's all in good taste - with the $5 entry fee donated to Brain Injury Rotorua.

Zombie Walk organiser Layla Robinson said interest from people wanting to be in the fun event had been "huge".

Suitably costumed zombies should gather near the Soundshell between 10am and 12pm, ready to advance on the city, she said.

"Dressing up in an amazing costume and wowing the crowd with your creativity is what it is all about.

"Choose your mask and wear it well, so your true identity no one can tell."

The controlled event is open to anyone, including children under 14 if accompanied by a parent, she said.

The highlight of the 90-minute walk will be the Thriller Dance - details of which will be released on the day - and the Zombie Sprint towards unsuspecting onlookers. Although if anyone appeared scared out of their wits, the zombies are under instructions to retreat, said Ms Robinson.

Ambrosia Restaurant staff would dress as zombies to serve customers, with 10 per cent of takings during the afternoon being donated to the charity, said owner Kris Beehre.

As the sun goes down, zombies, burlesque beauties and masked marauders will be out in force for the annual Halloween Cruise of the Damned Masquerade Ball, on board the Lakeland Queen.

The cruise takes 250 ticket holders on a moonlit route of Lake Rotorua's Mokoia Island and back - while attempting to solve a mystery murder before the witching hour.

Rotorua's own burlesque queen, Cherie D'Bauche, also known as Karen Hansen, will perform with fellow "vixens of tease" former Miss Burlesque New Zealand Bettsy-Rose Lee, and Dolly DeStory during the voyage.

Along with live music, there will be "shimmying exotic belly dancers" and a fashion contest to crown the King and Queen of the Damned.

Sponsors Pyro Company Fireworks, as well as local firms Lakeland Queen Rotorua, Victoria Grove Costume Hire, ArtfulAddiction Rotorua, ImageWorks Photography, JaxxPixx Photography and Advocate Print, are also involved.

Details

What: Zombie Walk
When: Saturday, Oct 26, 10am-2pm
Where: Meet at Soundshell
Cost: $5 donation to Brain Injury Rotorua

What: Halloween Cruise of the Damned Masquerade Ball
Where: Lakeland Queen, Rotorua Lakefront
When: Saturday Oct 26, 7pm to 12am
Cost: $40, limit 250 tickets (proceeds to BIR)