On Saturday, October 23rd, at Triangle Square in Costa Mesa, site of some tragically undead shops since the Nike anchor store left, the 1st Annual (or inaugural as some would put) OC Zombie Walk went off without a hitch - well, okay so the zombies were a bit hitchy but the rest of the evening was as perfect as it could have been.
Sponsored by Zombie Flesh Jerky and OC Screenwriters to benefit the OC Food Bank, hundreds of zombies of all ages and types showed up to walk Newport Boulevard and scream "brains!" at the passing motorists some of whom must have felt that the Zombie Apocalypse was finally here.
Costuming was at a Halloween high as makeup artists from Zombie Pocast provided for the event helped tune up the already excellent looks - Hollywood was well-represented by the expert makeup provided.
Organizer and OC SCreenwriters board member Eric Hensman (Lennexe Productions) roamed the crowd as a zombie hunter while hundreds of zombies of all stripes shuffled, bled and dropped disgusting body parts along the sidewalks of Costa Mesa. Actually, no fake blood was spilled and the zombies were very well-behaved for the diverse group that was present.
One of the nicest things about the event was the kids. Although the later part of the evening was at Sutra, the high-energy nightclub on the top level of Triangle Square, the walk itself was all ages and there were dozens of kids, including a few in strollers, and a few zombie dogs who went with the crowd down Newport Blvd.
Some early evening motorists were certainly surprised to see a pack of zombies waiting at red lights or shuffling down Rochester Avenue and cell phone cameras were furiously snapping photos of the walk participants. The Zombies picked The Verizon Store and a few other establishments to beg from brains at the windows to the delight of customers and store employees. Horn blasted out support from the traffic both north and south on Newport Blvd.
Some Zombies had a powerful thirst and repaired to Goat Hill Tavern and The Helm for a quick quenching but most made it back to Triangle Square to participate
in a "Thriller" dance and prize giveaways. Then it was off to Sutra for the 21-and-over crowd to dance and drink.
The event was held to benefit the OC Food Bank which helps feed children and seniors. Cans of food were requested and brought in large quantities by the participants. Of course, as someone pointed out, Zombies eat brains and not canned chili so they really had little use for it. 
I can sum up this event in one massive word - FUN! Next year should be even better since the organizers had little time and resources to get this event put on.
Look for continuing information at oczombiewalk.com on future walks and perhaps even an upcoming dodgeball competition or two between OC Zombies and L.A. Zombies.
