The city of Asbury Park is preparing for its fifth annual Zombie Walk.
The Zombie Walk started at the VFW on Lake Avenue downtown five years ago, according to Pasqualina DeLucia of boardwalk redeveloper Madison Marquette. The year after it began, it moved to the Carousel building and eventually to Convention Hall.
The event is run by founder Jason Meehan [pictured at right] and a small handful of volunteers, DeLucia said.
Vendors and will take over the Casino and zombie makeup artists will occupy the Fourth and First Avenue green spaces. A makeup ticket sales booth, sponsors and some nonprofits will be in the Second Avenue green space.
Last year, more than 12,000 people gathered to lurch from the boardwalk to the downtown. This year, even more are expected.
Although the walk does not begin until 5 p.m., festivities start at 10 a.m., according to the event’s website. There is no cost associated with walking and pets and children are welcome to participate.
Many local businesses will participate in the event in some way. The Wonder Bar’s famous Yappy Hour will have a zombie pet theme, DeLucia said.
Emory Street between Lake and Cookman avenues will be shut down tomorrow, Police Chief Mark Kinmon said. Barricades will separate Zombie Walkers from some of the area’s buildings.
“As far as closing any [roads] down, it’s really just going to be when they’re doing the walk itself we’ll re-route some people, but nothing will be closed for an extended length of time,” he said.
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[Above photo of zombies doing the “Thriller” dance at last year’s event courtesy of Madison Marquette.]
