PUTNAM — The final evening of the 2017 First Fridays season promises to provide thrills and chills with a nightmare on Main Street. Visitors will shiver with anticipation for the return of the Zombie Fashion Show as the event celebrates Horror Films and all the creepy, crawly elements that makes this film genre so unshakable. From 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 6, come down and see the spectacle unfold, with art, performances, and frightening fun throughout the evening.

Performance is the major thread running throughout the evening. In Union Square, the headlining act will be Tequila Jim and Super Sandy providing infectious sounds filling the fall night. 

Visitors are also encouraged to look for a demonstration by Quest Martial Arts in Union Square. And as darkness falls across the land, there will be a “Thrilling” performance by The Complex Performing Arts Centre on Main Street. 

Throughout the evening the Putnam Puppet Troupe will feature stilt walking puppeteers adding an otherworldly feel to the festival. 

The October First Fridays event remains unique from the rest of the season with the public encouraged to not just attend the festival, but to take a starring role. Starting at 7:30 p.m. the Zombie Fashion will begin, allowing visitors to dress in their undead-best and stroll down a putrid runway for prizes. Event sponsor Hot Costumes of Webster will transform lower Main Street into a haunted graveyard for the evening, complete with props and an otherworldly fog. The expanded runway will allow for more moldy models to join in and do their best zombie walk. Enhanced lighting will light the way, courtesy of Steve White of Flash Times Photo Booth and like all horror movies, the Zombie Fashion Show will have a killer soundtrack provided by DJ “Scary” Gary O. 

For 2017, the event will feature three categories: Youth, Group/Family, and Adult, with prizes awarded to the top three in each category. Prizes will include gift cards to a variety of local shops and restaurants as well as other surprise items. Entries are limited and preregistration is encouraged for those interested in participating. Registration is available online at: www.discoverputnam.com/firstfriday-october. 

As with all First Fridays events, the Oct. 6 event will feature art vendors lining Main Street and Union Square. The First Fridays Art Installations will showcase the work of Mixed Media Sculpture Artist Michi Swazz, with a large-scale sculpture inspired by The Nightmare Before Christmas. Patrons are encouraged to visit the downtown shops, galleries and eateries during the festival. For families, the First Fridays Community Arts committee invites children of all ages to create their own “Mad Scientist” potion to take home.  For more info to go: www.discoverputnam.com.