Fans of The Walking Dead are eagerly anticipating the action-packed zombie show’s return to TV this month, but for those who need even more of the undead in their lives, the Youbou Community Association’s got them covered.
On Oct. 28, the YCA is hosting the first-ever zombie walk in Youbou, a chance for people young and old to dress up as the brain-eating monsters and fill the road, groaning and lurching their way through the community.
Zombie walks have been around since 2000, and are usually straightforward affairs. As the name indicates: participants dress up as zombies and they walk.
Typically occurring in large cities, interested zombies converge on a single location and basically take it over en masse, everyone dressed in their creepiest makeup and bloodiest attire.
Sometimes zombie walks are organized to raise awareness about certain issues or charitable causes, however, for the most part these events are staged purely for the entertainment value and the fun of being part of a zombie horde like the ones on TV or in horror movies.
“In some places, like in Calgary, they incorporate it into a run,” said YCA spokeswoman Kim Ring. “We didn’t really think that would fly really well in Youbou. We don’t know that there are a lot of runners in Youbou. So then it evolved into a zombie walk.”
Ring said the idea came from a YCA volunteer earlier this year and the association thought it was a great idea.
The walk takes place on Oct. 28 at around 5 p.m. It will start at Cassy’s Coffee House and go for about a block and a half, ending at the home of Laurie and Richard LaFave who offered to host a bonfire and hot dog roast at their waterfront property. To get a sense of how many people will be in attendance, everyone planning to participate is asked to register in advance by calling 778-429-9009.
The coffee shop is the meeting place beforehand.
“There will be refreshments there. And if you need help with your costume or your makeup we’re planning to do that all at Cassy’s and head out at five,” said Ring.
Although Ring is contacting the RCMP to have accompaniment, since the activity is being held in the roadway, she said there are still some additional safety measures participants should consider.
“It’s probably a good idea, because it will be dusk by then, to try and wear some lighter colour clothing. At least an article of lighter coloured clothing,” she said.
Otherwise, just have fun.
“It’s a social event where people get to dress up and be silly,” she said. “Our Halloween festivities at the hall are pretty spectacular so we wanted to amp that up a little bit more by having a zombie walk a couple days before and lead people up to the haunted house [night].”
