Zombies are the undead inhabitants of graveyards and haunted houses, and for one day each year, they are all around Milton. The Milton Zombie Fest is returning Saturday, Oct. 20, for one day of spooky shenanigans including a monstrosity of live music, food trucks, kids’ activities and more at the Milton Historical Society open lot, 210 Union St.

Milton Zombie Fest boasts a full day of entertainment with nine different bands performing live and a full concert stage. New music is scheduled all day from noon to 10 p.m. Local Delaware and nationally touring musical groups include Scrapple, Hot Breakfast, Lower Case Blues, Universal Funk Order, Wall of Cain, Christine Havrilla, Flatland Drive and Mama’s Black Sheep. The Milton Zombie Fest will host eight local food trucks including favorites like Po’Boys, Maui Wowi, Taco Reho, Rosenfeld’s, Blue Scoop Ice Cream, Truck It! and Mr. BBQ. Kids and kids at heart will enjoy all the food trucks while the over-21 crowd will have access to the Milton Zombie Fest beer tent by Dogfish Head.

Attendees may stop by one of the make-up stations sponsored by the Delaware Learning Institute of Cosmetology to get zombie-fied! Kids Zombie Fest activities will be hosted by Milton Public Library. Glenn’s Magic Halloween Show will be at 11 a.m., followed by Zombie Lunch at 12 p.m. The library will also host crafts, games and face painting starting at 1 p.m., with a live performance by the Milton Theatre musical theatre ensemble. The Kids Zombie Parade will take place at 2 p.m., and zombie pirates by Pirates Plunder Entertainment will be roaming around the festival grounds.

The signature Zombie Walk will begin at 8 p.m. Everyone with a full-day pass is welcome to join the parade and see the quaint town of Milton become overrun by zombies. Organizers are also bringing back Zombify Your Car, and this year, it’s a competition. Participants can decorate any vehicle worthy of a zombie apocalypse and win trophies! For details and to enter, email miltontheatreshows@gmail.com. This is one project to get families, friends, and the whole gang together. Visitors to the the Milton Historical Society on Zombie Fest day can see an exclusive Halloween-themed exhibition, meet Captain Jack Sparrow himself, and take pictures in front of the museum as volunteers decorate the outside with interactive lights and sounds

The Horror Trailer Challenge entries will be screened at the Revival House Theatre event Thursday, Oct. 18, together with a screening of the horror film classic “They Live.” For more details, email therevivalhouse@gmail.com. Zany zombie Magnolia Applebottom will return to the Milton Theatre for a frightful evening of drag. Magnolia is bringing back from the dead the towering and beautiful Anna Rexia, and Ghoulish Asian Goddess Miss Sue Nami from Baltimore to give attendees the frights of their lives. For tickets, go to www.miltontheatre.com.

Delmarva’s favorite crazy night out is back with “Rocky Horror Picture Show” live at 9 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 20. Those who wish to be part of the shadow cast may submit a 30-second video audition as a favorite Rocky Horror character to miltontheatreshows@gmail.com. The big-screen debut of the short film “Marvel Zombies” is also slated that night.

Sponsor proceeds benefit Milton Theatre, Milton Historical Society, Milton Fire Department and Casa San Francisco. With an estimated 3,500 attendees anticipated, this could be the biggest Zombie Fest yet. Organizers extend thanks to existing sponsors Delaware Learning Institute of Technology, SoDel Concepts, Dogfish Head, Logo Motive, Wilmington University, Hand Me Down Films, Jack Lingo, W Films, Letters, iHeart Radio, Irish Eyes, Ocean 98, Enhanced Dental, Key Advisor Group, Barrows and Associates, Rehoboth Bay Realty, Avery Hall and The Parker Group.

Tickets are $10 at the gate. To purchase tickets, go to www.MiltonTheatre.com or call 302-684-3038. This event is for all ages! Even the youngest zombies are invited.