It’s October and that means it’s time for Zombies. Saturday, October 22nd, the 8th Annual Zombie Walk of Alexandria, presented to you by The Cenla Zombies Association will gather Zombies of all ages downtown. Zombie Walks take place in urban centers and have become popular in large cities. A zombie walk is an organized public gathering of people who dress up in zombie costumes and make their way around city streets to a public place in a somewhat orderly fashion.
First held in 2009 as an improv event, the Z-Walk became an organized event in 2010 and grew to nearly 1,000 participants. Desoto Street was closed for a free, family-friendly, smoke-free and alcohol-free block party featuring “Thriller” dancing, costume contests and face-painting and more. The event has continued to grow each year, with over 4,500 Zombies, Zombie Hunters, Survivors and spectators filling downtown Alexandria.
This year, The Central Louisiana Homeless Coalition has been chosen as the spotlight area nonprofit organization, with all money raised benefitting the local community. The mission of CLHC is to identify, advocate, and mobilize community resources to ensure all people in Central Louisiana have access to stable homes. Past organizations that were supported by Alexandria’s Zombie Walk have been the Cenla Chapter of the Special Olympics, the Arts Council of Central Louisiana, The Food Bank, Cenla Autism Network and The Friendship House.
A Zombie Run 5k has been added this year and will kick-off the event at 4:00pm. An up and coming local band, When All is Lost is our featured musical guest this year, and The Holiday Inn downtown is offering a special discounts to attendees using the code “ZWB”.
Following the 5k at 4:00pm, the Gathering of Zombies will be held at the Third Street Mini-Park area at 5:00pm featuring live music by WAIL. At 6:30pm, the Official Zombie Walk through the streets of downtown Alexandria begins, escorted by members of the Alexandria Police Department. At 7:30pm, the Zombie Walk Award Ceremony and Costume Contest will begin with awesome door prizes to be given away! All of your favorite food vendors will be there, so come hungry!
Zombie Walk does have a few rules. This is a smoke-free/alcohol-free event! It remains family-friendly. Actual weapons of any kind are not allowed! All weapons, even parts of a costume, will be confiscated by CZA Security and/or Alexandria Police Department. Fines may be issued, arrests could occur and you could be removed from the event. Only toy or novelty props are allowed and are subject to approval by a CZA Staff Member or APD. During the event, participants are encouraged to remain in character as zombies, and to communicate as only a zombie would. This may include grunting, groaning and slurred, moaning calls for “brains”.
Many dedicated organizers, supporters and sponsors are behind this event. The 8th Annual Zombie Walk of Alexandria’s title sponsor this year is Neblett, Beard & Arsenault Injury Lawyers, and it is presented to you in cooperation with The City of Alexandria and GAEDA. T-shirts are available for purchase at pop-up shops throughout the month of October. Follow us on Facebook to see when and where and at The Fall Art Walk October 21st and during the event. Follow us on Facebook at Zombie Walk of Alexandria and on Instagram and Twitter @AlexZombieCZA for more information. See you there! Play Dead! Run Dead!
