The best way to combat a zombie apocalypse is to douse the undead with water.

Saturday’s much-anticipated Monster Mash Street Bash and Zombie Walk on Midway Boulevard was poorly attended, likely because of high winds and near-constant rain.

Still, approximately 50 zombified attendees braved the inclement weather to raise the dead.

“The attendance was wonderful in light of the nasty weather,” said Abbie Martin, a marketing staffer at the Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce.

Martin organized the event, now in its second year.

“Our diehard zombie fans were there,” she said.

The first year of the event drew about 200 people. Organizers were anticipating about double that number this year, but the weather did not cooperate, Martin said.

“So now we know what the event is like when it’s nasty out, and it will just get better from here,” Martin said.

Volunteer makeup artists from the Whidbey Playhouse provided free makeup services prior to the zombie crawl.

The zombie crawl and pre-Halloween event was created by the Chamber to help boost interest and activity along the Midway Boulevard business corridor. Participation by businesses doubled from last year.

Spirits and support for the event remain high.

“This year’s Monster Mash Street Bash and Zombie Crawl was good soggy fun,” said Sarah Gallella, who volunteered to tell fortunes at Midway Florist.

“It’s neat to see entire families out together enjoying the tricks and treats together,” she said. “I especially liked the addition of the hay ride … and can’t wait until next year’s event.”