A mob of zombies is expected to swarm Midway Boulevard this weekend.

The Monster Mash Street Bash, planned for 5-8 p.m. Saturday, was a surprise hit last year when it debuted.

“Businesses were alive with the undead,” said event organizer Abbie Martin, a marketing staffer at the Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce.

The zombie crawl and trick-or-treat event was created to help boost interest and activity in the Midway Boulevard business district.

The crawl starts at 5 p.m. at Whidbey Playhouse and proceeds up Midway to Fourth Street. Central headquarters for the event is Trader’s Village, but activities are planned all along Midway Boulevard.

The road will be closed to traffic during the event.

“We wanted to give some love to our Midway merchants,” Martin said. “They are a fun, fun group of people.”

Last year’s event drew 200 zombies, and that number is expected to double this year, Martin said.

“The attendance blew everyone out of the water,” said Rob McGowan, owner of Midway Florist. “It went really well last year for a first year event.”

“It was fantastic.”

McGowan said that while he didn’t sell anything last year, the event does seem to boost the public’s knowledge of what Midway has to offer.

“It does raise awareness of who’s where,” McGowan said.

But the business aspect aside, McGowan said, “It’s all about the fun for me.

“All business owners feel like they want to be part of the community,” he said.

In addition to providing snacks and homemade cider, McGowan will also have two tarot card readers and provide hayrides along Midway.

Zombies can arrive with their own costumes or go to Whidbey Playhouse starting at 2:30 p.m. to get “zombiefied” and take zombie dance lessons.

In addition, more than 15 businesses are participating this year compared to the eight participants last year.

Oak Harbor Chamber Executive Director Christine Cribb said the businesses have taken ownership of the event and are infusing it with a lot of excitement.

“There’s no lull in the conversation,” Cribb said.