The dead walked the earth a little earlier than October 31 this year. A few days before Halloween, the streets of downtown Arlington were filled with zombies supporting the inaugural Zombie Downtown Crawl sponsored by the Arlington Public Library Foundation.

Many of the gore-goers were dressed head-to-toe and said they'd prepared their costumes weeks in advance, while others from other events and simply smeared themselves with fake blood.

Fan favorites included Cannibal Carl, a fast food worker who had disturbingly odd-looking eyes, and a couple from Burleson dressed like zombies from the "Evil Dead' movie. One creative young lady wore a black and yellow striped outfit and a "Zom-Bee' sign around her neck.

It was great to see several families participating together in support of a good cause. "I came today because I love books and I love the library,' said 10-year-old Aradia Jones-Barrett, who was there with her mother and uncle.

In order to receive the discounts offered by downtown restaurants and bars, people simply had to buy a five-dollar wristband from the Arlington Public Library. All money will support the Arlington-Mansfield Summer Reading Program.

Zombies and supporters enjoyed great food and drinks at The Grease Monkey, Mellow Mushroom, J.R. Bentley's, Old School Pizza & Suds, Maverick's, Fuzzy's Gilligan's, Twisted Root and Hooligans. Organizers were pleased with the turnout and response from the general public.

By Reginald Lewis