2012 Toronto Zombie Walk -- Best Ever!

John Russo and Russ Streiner

The 2012 Toronto Zombie Walk extravaganza was something to be behold!  A light sprinkling of rain, clouds and a bit of wind could not dampen the electric atmosphere that was the 10th anniversary of The Toronto Zombie Walk.
I am unsure at press time what the attendance was at Nathan Phillips Square in front of City Hall (location of a number of scenes from The Resident Evil series), but the entire square was wall to wall walking and crawling and strolling dead.

Nictophobia Films "Night of the Living Dead - LIVE!"
Grand Marshal Booth

There were a large number of vendors and booths, side shows and just plain undead insanity!  The costumes were spectacular as the photos below will attest.  The live entertainment was loud and raucous, the Master of Ceremonies a super creepy zombie clown, and the Grand Marshals to set the whole ambling afoot were none other than John A Russo, and Russ Streiner of "Night of the Living Dead" fame.  Russo and Streiner also made their home at the Noctophobia Films "Night of the Living Dead - LIVE!" booth, where they signed autographs and shmoozed with the gaggle of oglers (or were they ogres?).  Zombies of all make and flavour were also encouraged to scream and holler in "The Moan Zone"-- sound effects to be used in the play.  Russo, Streiner along with George Romero are Executive Producers of the Live production of the classic black and white film by the same name, due to hit the stages in Toronto in April next year.

On stage, Russo and Streiner gushed about the Nictophobia boys, and could not say enough about how excited they were that such a passionate and creative bunch was producing the only authorized "Night of the Living Dead" production for the stage-- ever!  They were awesome to meet, and I think alot of ghouls would agree.

Other vendors included The Heart and Stroke Foundation-- and "The Undeading" at Wonderland booth-- out to set a Guinness Book of World Record for the most people to learn CPR at one time.  The Butcher Shop (who will be participating in the stage production),  RevenantFX, Creeped Out, Depraved Clothing, The Beguiling and so many others!  Oh, and Stacey Campbell (thanks for doing my makeup.  Your makeup was realistic enough that I was handed a napkin by a nice, very concerned looking girl on the subway!  True story!)

Thea, Russ and John.
Thea's wearing the pink dress.

Meeting John Russo and Russ Streiner for the first time was awesome, but there was one other person I really wanted to meet,  And that was Thea Munster, the zombie chick who started it all 10 year ago.  She apparently convinced six of her friends to dress up as the undead, and stumble around in the dark.  Ah, from humble beginnings...

Thea was simply wonderful and bubbly and tickled pink (literally), having a tremendous time watching all the hubbub she started!  Watch my interview with her coming soon!

In the mean time, enjoy these photos!

Photos (c) Richard Torcato 2012

The scoops keep coming in!  Can you spot The Toronto Raptor's Amir Johnson amid this crowd of walkers?  Look hard.