Who are we
Zombie Walk Houston consists of hundreds of supporters in the Houston Community that either love zombies or love fun charity events.
When did this "Zombie Walk" Idea come about
The earliest zombie walk on record was held in August 19, 2001 in Sacramento,California. The event, billed as 'The Zombie Parade,' was the brain-child of Bryna Lovig.
By 2005, the phenomenon spread just like a virus, primarily through word of mouth, grass roots campaigns and online message boards. Zombie Walks began appearing across America and in the past few years, in other countries such as Australia, China, Denmark, France, New Zealand and the UK.
Who organizes the Houston Zombie Walk
Zombie Walk Houston is organized by:
Amy Lewis - Founder/Director (Mama Zombie) Web site/Graphic Designer
Amy with her niece at the 2009 Houston Zombie Walk.
ZOMBIE WALKS
Wikipedia states that a zombie walk (also known as a zombie mob, zombie march, zombie horde, zombie lurch, zombie shamble, zombie shuffle or zombie pub crawl) is an organized public gathering of people who dress up in zombie costumes.
Usually taking place in an urban centre, the participants make their way around the city streets and through shopping malls in a somewhat orderly fashion and often limping their way towards a local cemetery or other public space (a series of taverns in the case of a zombie pub crawl).
Promoted primarily through word of mouth and online message boards, zombie walks are an underground activity. During the event participants are encouraged to remain in character as zombies and to communicate only in a manner consistent with zombie behavior. This may include grunting, groaning and slurred, moaning calls for 'brains'.
The complexity and purpose of some zombie walks have grown and changed with their popularity. An advanced technique to heighten interest and realism, some zombie mobs will "eat" victims to create new zombies, in sight of onlookers.
The better coordinated zombie mobs will establish a route and an easily recognizable signal, so that other participants can plant themselves, appearing as an otherwise ordinary human, along the route in old, tear able clothes, and as the mob shambles along it can discover and devour new victims. As the zombies surround the new victim to loudly feed, concealing him or her from witnesses' view, they tear clothes and quickly apply makeup and fake blood, to create a new zombie, who then shambles along with the ever-expanding pack to find new victims.
Some participants occasionally dress up as soldiers who are called in to contain the outbreak. Some events are staged as spoof political rallies organized "to raise awareness of zombie rights", with participants carrying placards.
Many zombie walks have also been staged as "hunger marches" with the intent of raising awareness of world hunger and collecting items for food banks
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ZOMBIE WALK HOUSTON
Zombie Walk Houston was founded by Amy Lewis (formerly Amy Buresh.. married in Sept, 2010!). Amy had attempted several charity type events prior and each one seemed to fizzle out or produce little buzz. It wasn't until she added a unique factor to the idea inspired by her love of Zombies and other Zombie Walks around the world, that the event and organization took off.
In 2008, Amy built a web site and Myspace account for the first annual Houston Zombie Walk. This was the only promotion done for the event. Due to our wonderful local supporters (and the best zombies ever!), the event was promoted strictly through word of mouth and social networking. Thanks to the encouragement and support of our zombies - the first annual Houston Zombie Walk was a success!
Our first Zombie Walk, October 25th 2008, garnered the support of 100 zombies and 237 meals raised through non-perishable donations for the Houston Food Bank.
At the second annual walk, on October 23rd, 2009, 300 people showed up (270 in full undead wear) and we raised enough cash and goods for 100 care packages for our troops via our 2009 beneficiary Tillman Troops.
Our third annual walk will take place on October 23rd, 2010. We had so much support and help from Tillman Troops and it's founder, Loree Tillman, that we have decided to welcome them back again this year as our beneficiary.
Since last year's success, Zombie Walk Houston has become an Incorporated Non-Profit Organization with the State of Texas and is currently gathering donations and sponsorships for funding to become 501(c)(3).
With the outpouring of local support each year, our goal is to strive to make the event bigger and better each year. We hope to one day host the Zombie Walk as a huge charity event with bands and vendors, similar to the old Westheimer Festival on Westheimer in Houston.