photo: Jamie Manser
In the annals of iconic villainy, zombies reign supreme. From the popular AMC series “The Walking Dead” to “Dead Island” for PS3 and Xbox 360, ambulatory corpses are everywhere. But Tucson Zombie Walk (TZW) participants aren’t just jumping on the zombie bandwagon. They’ve been shuffling, moaning and crying for brains in downtown Tucson for six years.
Originally assembled as a 15-person flash mob for a zombie prom night at Club Congress, the ranks of reanimated Sonoran flesh-eaters have topped 1000 in recent outings. “It keeps growing,” says TZW contact Talia Lopez. And by collecting contributions for the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, TZW has evolved from amusing prank to successful annual fundraiser. Although the event is free, everyone is asked to bring two items of nonperishable food and/or a few bucks to fill donation boxes.
With the announcement of 2011’s “Zombies In Spaaaaace!” theme, organizers recommend a “creative over cost” approach to costuming. “Don’t feel you have to spend a lot of money. Less is more,” Lopez advises.
“Take every day Joe Average and make him dead. Add a prop or two.” Keeping that in mind, know that coveted prizes will be awarded in Most Original, Best Group, Audience Favorite and other categories.
Tucson Zombie Walk begins Saturday, October 22 (time TBA) at Joel D. Valdez Main Branch Library, 101 N. Stone Ave., before lurching and groaning throughout downtown. To get involved with the “insane amount of fun,” as Lopez describes, visit TucsonZombies.com.
