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Toronto Zombie Walk 2012

Posted by Derek Flack / October 16, 2012

29 Comments

Toronto Zombie Walk 2012The 2012 Toronto Zombie Walk is about to bring hordes of the lurching undead onto Toronto streets for its annual parade of blood, guts and all manner of gore. Started back in 2003, the event has increased in size and popularity, particularly over the last few years, with hundreds of ghoulish participants and almost as many photographers temporarily shutting down streets as they terrorize those passing by with make-up jobs that can look alarmingly realistic.

Here's some quick info to help you prepare you for a temporary rise from the dead.

WHERE

Nathan Phillips Square

WHEN

Saturday, October 20th — Participants gather at 12pm, parade starts at 3pm

ROUTE

It's a completely different route this year, and one that should draw even more eyes on the walking dead. The parade basically does a loop around City Hall, heading west on Queen, north on University, east on Dundas, south on Yonge, and then back west on Queen. If some of your brains have been eaten and this sounds confusing, check out the map below.

MAKEUP AND COSTUMES

Although DIY efforts tend to be the biggest hits at the Zombie Walk, if you're looking for some inspiration or ways to make your get-up a bit spiffy, here are some useful resources.

And if you're really looking to dial up your makeup abilities, then consider Complections International Academy of Make-up Artistry

MAP

Toronto Zombie Walk Route MapLead photo by Roger Cullman Photography

Discussion

29 Comments

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CREWMEN / October 16, 2012 at 03:04 pm
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We were there lasts year. We'll be there again. If the weather is right we'll be (hot) zombie waters and bartenders.
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brains / October 16, 2012 at 04:01 pm
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BBBRRRRRAAAAIIIINNNSSSS!!!!
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Oh Pahleeeze / October 16, 2012 at 04:38 pm
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I will run them down with my 2-Stroke if they get in my way. Especially if one of them starts dancing "Gangnam Style" which i think is inevitable. **cringe and shudder**
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gravetripper / October 16, 2012 at 05:58 pm
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hundreds of ghoulish participants? they had 7,000 last year and expecting much more this year. so saying hundreds is kinda wrong.
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Jose / October 16, 2012 at 06:41 pm
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Mr. Romero would be so proud.
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The real Moneesha / October 16, 2012 at 06:58 pm
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For goodness sake! Ban this event, already.

This is the reason why violence in our city is so rampant. I don't understand why we--i.e., law-abiding citizens--tolerate this glorification of death and violence.
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Jan replying to a comment from The real Moneesha / October 16, 2012 at 07:12 pm
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Tim Hudak that you?
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BH replying to a comment from The real Moneesha / October 16, 2012 at 08:28 pm
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That barely rates a 1 on the Troll-meter. But as sarcasm it rates a 4.
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Ford4ever replying to a comment from Oh Pahleeeze / October 16, 2012 at 08:36 pm
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"I will run them down with my 2-Stroke if they get in my way."

Huh? Are you going to run them down with your Vespa? Your Trabant? Your Piaggio Ape? Your leaf blower?

Are you sure you know what 2-Stroke means?
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Adam Sobolak / October 16, 2012 at 09:57 pm
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Expect some McGuinty-a-likes this year.
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Aaron / October 16, 2012 at 10:12 pm
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This was cool.. back in 2005-2006.
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raymes / October 16, 2012 at 10:24 pm
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It's all fun and games til zombie walk disrupts traffic, which it does and will, says a miser.
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jd replying to a comment from raymes / October 16, 2012 at 11:22 pm
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Great. Shut that shit down.

Let me ask you a question. Why do people drive down in these area's on a Saturday? The TTC serves all these areas very well with Subways, Streetcars & Buses. But no. I need to drive through one of the busiest intersection in the country. And then complain traffic sucks.

Zombie stuff doesn't even interest me. But this event grows every year. As someone who lives in the area, have fun people.
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crc replying to a comment from Aaron / October 16, 2012 at 11:28 pm
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hipster Aaron was a zombie before it was cool. but needs to stop commenting on blogto items...that's so 2010.
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Ford4ever replying to a comment from jd / October 17, 2012 at 06:13 am
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JD, you say "shut that shit (traffic) down" and then suggest that we need to all use transit.

Don't forget, friend, that streetcars and buses ARE traffic. They will be stuck too, and the zombies will overrun them.
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idiothipsters / October 17, 2012 at 07:00 am
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if you people actually looked at the route, the zombies are staying on the sidwalks and closing down no roads. it is at nathan philips square this year. idiot hipsters just need to complain about everything, don't you.
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alan / October 17, 2012 at 08:33 am
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i agree with cars downtown especially on weekends...why do they? park the car and take transit...i do...i hope this event shuts down all of the streets around city hall for the whole afternoon and into the nights...actually the people in the cars will be sitting targets HA HA HA...then maybe they'll return to trinity-bellwods where is has been for the past several years...great place with lots of space for eating BBBBRRRRRAAAAAAIIIINNNZZZZ!!!!
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AV replying to a comment from idiothipsters / October 17, 2012 at 08:38 am
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Speaking of idiots, you obviously have never been to or seen the Zombie walk. The route is a rough guide, but I would put 100$ cash on roads / traffic along that route being disrupted by people who think they're comedians, trying to impress others by acting like a zombie running in and out of traffic.
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idiothipsters replying to a comment from AV / October 17, 2012 at 09:16 am
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actually it is my sixth year and the route is approved by the police and city hall and all permits are paid for. The walkers must stay off the road a guideline set by the city. The walk has it own security to keep people off the road, the red shirts. But thanks for stopping by hipster.
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AV replying to a comment from idiothipsters / October 17, 2012 at 09:20 am
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100$, still stands.
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caughtatroll replying to a comment from AV / October 17, 2012 at 09:21 am
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looking at the map it goes up bay across dundas, down yonge and back to Nathan Philips Square crossing no major roads at all. You argue that it will block traffic is silly and pointless. I have feeling you are just trolling.
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idiotblogtocommenter replying to a comment from idiothipsters / October 17, 2012 at 09:27 am
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I would actually suggest to you that most people that do the zombie walk are some form of a hipster.

And TTC is also traffic.

My personal feeling on the issue is that people's hobbies shouldn't disrupt other peoples lives. At all. I think that is the most important thing for everyone involved to keep in mind. And that goes for participants, spectators or anything - and not just in this event - all. Be courteous to fellow humans.

Thank you!
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Pahleeeze to meet you replying to a comment from Ford4ever / October 17, 2012 at 09:30 am
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Ok sorry...my 1982 Vespa P200 with a Pinasco pipe that I've been riding for 20 years. Apologies for not being clear enough.
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jd / October 17, 2012 at 02:21 pm
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All this TTC is also traffic is bullshit. Since 1 streetcar probably holds the same as 100 cars.

I have zero sympathy for people who drive in this area on a Saturday. Not only do you have transit options. But anytime I drive downtown and there is an event. It's pretty easy to drive alternative routes to get where you're trying to go.
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Zombie Wrestling / October 19, 2012 at 07:50 pm
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Who's coming to ZOMBIE WRESTLING after the walk?

http://www.facebook.com/events/303639373066841/?ref=ts&;fref=ts
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Mama replying to a comment from idiothipsters / October 21, 2012 at 05:04 pm
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idiothipsters - if you actually live in the city or were actually at the Zombie Walk you would know that they did close down the streets! There were far too many to stay on the sidewalk.....who's the IDIOT now.
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TheMartian73 replying to a comment from The real Moneesha / October 21, 2012 at 05:32 pm
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Actually during the enitre walk not one issue was made or had by anyone. We did not care about race, creed, colour, size or anything that makes people different. So as for the need to ban these type of events come down and take a look at what goes on before you decide to preach from your podium.
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Adam / October 23, 2012 at 08:36 pm
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the comment containing the article about the guy having a stroke at a zombie walk is from the Beaverton, which is a satire/parody site, kinda like a crappier Onion. If that had happened, believe me, theres enough cops wandering through the walk someone wouldn't have been left in distress that long.
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