Zombies just warming up at Fort Casey

Now that the cast and crew of the zombie television series Z Nation have finished filming at Fort Casey State Park, preparation is ramping up for the second Haunted Fort event, which is just a little more than a month away at the state park in Coupeville.

Talk about perfect timing for a haunted house.

Now that the cast and crew of the zombie television series Z Nation have finished filming at Fort Casey State Park, preparation is ramping up for the second Haunted Fort event, which is just a little more than a month away at the state park in Coupeville.

Jon Crimmins, the park’s manager, said the Haunted Fort, set for Oct. 28-29, will primarily take place this year inside the same dark, eight-room Battery Kingsbury where the TV show was shot, among other locations.

The Haunted Fort also will feature roaming zombies, just like last year when the event surprised organizers by drawing more than 1,500 people over two days.

Crimmins said he believes the timing of Z Nation’s park invasion could spark even more interest in next month’s event.

“It nothing else, it solidifies that we’re a place that really does some crazy stuff,” he said. “This is definitely not something we sought out and yet it goes so well with the next step in the year.

“I guess zombies are our future.”

The event’s organizers are looking for a few more of them, among other volunteer roles they’re trying to fill and train in the coming weeks. Those interested in helping with the Haunted Fort in any capacity are asked to reach Sharon Sharpe at 360-678-1186 or sharon.sharpe@parks.wa.gov.

Crimmins called the filming at the park “a really good experience” and the cast and crew “fantastic” but noted that there were a couple of minor complaints from park visitors whose access to some areas was limited at certain times.

He laughed when he recalled a scene filmed Thursday morning when actor Russell Hodginson, who plays “Doc,” shuffled along the park’s main road ranting and raving and kicking in a bath robe — despite park visitors passing nearby in vehicles.

“Overall, it was a great thing for the community and good for the park,” Crimmins said.