Zombies invade Asbury Park

Bobcat · Oct 7, 2008

"Over 400 zombies took over Asbury Park over the weekend. They even sang karaoke."

Video here: http://www.nj.com/multimedia/featuredvideos/index.ssf/2008/10/zombies_invade_asbury.html

Bobcat · Oct 7, 2008

More:

NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD

Asbury Park's first Zombie Walk winds its way through city

Asbury Park Press, October 5, 2008
By SARAH WEBSTER, STAFF WRITER

ASBURY PARK — Watch out! Zombies were about.

Onlookers crept out to observe more than 200 participants in the first Zombie Walk, which began at 5 p.m. Saturday.

Jamie Sommer, 15, and Joey McDowell, 17, both of Neptune City, found out about the event as it was happening.

"The zombies are very believable. I was walking down the street, and I ran in the other direction screaming. I had no idea," Sommer said. "So I went up to a random guy, and I was like, "Do you see the zombies? Or is it just me?' "

McDowell said, "We literally just turned around and ran."

Rotting undead creatures lumbered out of the basement of the Veterans of Foreign Wars post on Lake Avenue. They walked aimlessly down Cookman Avenue toward the Carousel House and boardwalk.

The relentless creatures were dressed in either above- or inground zombie garb. Aboveground attire consists of torn street clothing; inground costumes consist of burial suits and dresses.

Coordinators said the purpose of the event was to kick off Halloween 2008, and they planned to hold it annually.

"We were looking forward to celebrating Halloween with all the people that live in the area," Jason Meehan said. And "try to make it an event that people can come out to for free, have some fun, celebrate Halloween and get in the spirit for the month of October."

"So far the turnout is more than we could have imagined it to be. The idea is just to go out, have some fun and spice up the night for some people who probably aren't going to expect to see an army of the undead walking the streets," said Chris Hartsgrove, 28, of Ocean Grove.

Hartsgrove said the idea of having a Zombie Walk came from similar events in other cities, and there was really nothing like it in New Jersey.

"Asbury Park was the perfect place to do it. The history of the city, the architecture — it all kind of leads to that apocalyptic look a little bit," Hartsgrove said. "And it's a fun city, and people are behind it."

A zombie base camp was set up at the VFW post at the corner of Lake Avenue and Bond Street. Makeup artists were available to assist walkers with basic looks for the undead.

The event was open to all ages with children accompanied by an adult.

Some came dressed as bride and groom; others were eating phony severed body parts. There was an array of zombie types: Girl Scouts, schoolgirls, nurses, doctors and a dead scientist. There were even zombie pets.

Zombies were instructed by coordinators to respect the city. They had to obey all traffic laws, city ordinances and authorities, regardless of their deceased status. The mindless souls were not allowed to block any doorways or interfere with local businesses or homeowners.

Zombies were told by coordinators that they could attack each other, but they could not harass anyone did not want to participate. They were instructed to refrain from speaking for two hours except to say "brains."

Katie Meeker, 23, of Long Branch was among the living dead.

She said, "I thought it was a really cool idea. I like that they are bringing something different to Asbury Park. It gets a lot of people involved — all ages and all different types. I think it's a really good scene."

Andrea Strauchler, 23, of Westfield said, "Any reason to dress up like a zombie is always fun."

Kayla Wesner brought her two daughters — Lexus, 8, and Ryann, 3 — out to the event. Ryann had a fake Cyclops eye tattooed on her forehead.

Shannon Gravatt, 23, of Brick came out to the event with some friends. She said, "I think it's cool because I don't think Asbury has seen anything like this."

Also "my sister's actually a zombie flight attendant," she said. "She's going to be carrying a tray with intestines that she made."

Dan Koblis, 29, of Howell said, "I love horror. I love everything about horror."

Robert Werner, 21, of Jackson said, "I think it's amazing. It's fun to see a transition from a town that really didn't have much — now has so much. And this is just another event to grab people and all kinds of people. It's fantastic."

Paranormal Book and Curiosities on Cookman Avenue hosted a zombie karaoke contest. Asbury Lanes on Fourth Avenue held an after-party at with entertainment by The Von Ghouls, Coffin Daggers and Shaw 'Nuff. The "dead" were able to attend for free.
Click to expand...

Photos: http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ga...Kategori=MULTIMEDIA02&Lopenr=810040805&Ref=PH

Bobcat · Sep 9, 2010

Is it possible to have vegan zombies? Don't they want to eat only human flesh?

CAPTION: "Katie Meeker, Long Branch, left, and Andrea Strauchler, Westfield, eat some vegan chili as they await the start of the First Annual Asbury Park Zombie Walk."

oldfella1962 · Oct 7, 2008

Will Bruce Springsteen write a song about it?

Lt. Mewa · Oct 7, 2008

Asbury Park, perfect locale. Many already 'lived' there.

Lethesoda · Oct 7, 2008

It warms my heart to see young corpses showing their pride.

Mallory · Oct 7, 2008

Bobcat said: ↑

Is it possible to have vegan zombies? Don't they want to eat only human flesh?
Click to expand...

Grains! Grains!

shootER · Oct 7, 2008

oldfella1962 said: ↑

Will Bruce Springsteen write a song about it?
Click to expand...

"Tenth Avenue Creep Out"?

Bobcat · Sep 9, 2010

http://shop.cafepress.com/design/21422661

Lethesoda · Oct 17, 2008

^ Such a shirt would only draw the attention of more intelligent zombies.

Elwood · Oct 18, 2008

I was out of place!

Oh, the bloodshed would have been glorious!

Zenow · Oct 20, 2008

Bobcat said: ↑

Is it possible to have vegan zombies? Don't they want to eat only human flesh?

CAPTION: "Katie Meeker, Long Branch, left, and Andrea Strauchler, Westfield, eat some vegan chili as they await the start of the First Annual Asbury Park Zombie Walk."
Click to expand...

You misunderstand... they're eating chili made out of vegans. It's a zombie thing..

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Zombies invade Asbury Park

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oldfella1962 the only real finish line

Lt. Mewa Rockefeller Center

Lethesoda Quixiotic

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Elwood I know what I'm about, son.

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Zombies invade Asbury Park

Bobcat Guest

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Bobcat Guest

oldfella1962 the only real finish line

Lt. Mewa Rockefeller Center

Lethesoda Quixiotic

Mallory Older than dirt Deceased Member

shootER Insubordinate...and churlish Administrator

Bobcat Guest

Lethesoda Quixiotic

Elwood I know what I'm about, son.

Zenow Treehugger

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