Founded in 2003, Toronto’s Zombie Walk has drawn the attention of thousands throughout the years to participate in one of the most elaborate cosplays ever. This year, however, the organizers face a challenge. Unless a generous benefactor makes an appearance, a financial shortfall may shut the doors to future events permanently.
![[Photo credit: © Igor Baranov]](https://jackflacco.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/igor-baranov-photography-zombie-1.jpg?w=840&h=722)
According to news sources, rising costs to shut down streets, insurance and policing has left organizers scrambling for donors. As of this writing, a fundraising campaign has yielded less than half of the $7,000 needed to keep the project going. Should organizers not meet target amounts, they will need to dip into next year’s reserves in order not to cancel the event.
Another obstacle organizers face is the popularity of zombies in mainstream culture that has grown exponentially for a number of years. Founders of the walk, Thea Faulds and her husband Adam Pearson, first hosted the event to a small group at Trinity Bellwoods Park. Recently, though, the crowds have grown to a massive 12,000+ attendees featuring people in full zombie garb stomping the city streets to invade Nathan Phillips Square.
Although the party is free to the public as a pre-Halloween bash, cleanup is not. With thousands of people dragging their way to the downtown core, logistics behind garbage collection efforts is astronomical.
On the positive side, the event attracts the attention of zombie fans all over the world, making Toronto a delightful tourist destination during the October offseason. Organizer, Stefania Zanini says to The Toronto Star, “It’s a family, free, inclusive event that accepts everyone. All you have to do is come in costume.”
![Igor Baranov (right) [Photo credit: © Igor Baranov]](https://jackflacco.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/igor-baranov.jpg?w=300&h=193)
Here is as sampling of his work and what the Toronto Zombie Walk is all about:
![[Photo credit: © Igor Baranov]](https://jackflacco.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/igor-baranov-photography-zombie-8.jpg?w=840&h=558)
![[Photo credit: © Igor Baranov]](https://jackflacco.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/igor-baranov-photography-zombie-9.jpg?w=840&h=693)
![[Photo credit: © Igor Baranov]](https://jackflacco.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/igor-baranov-photography-zombie-6.jpg?w=840&h=619)
![[Photo credit: © Igor Baranov]](https://jackflacco.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/igor-baranov-photography-zombie-5.jpg?w=840&h=744)
![[Photo credit: © Igor Baranov]](https://jackflacco.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/igor-baranov-photography-zombie-4.jpg?w=840&h=820)
![[Photo credit: © Igor Baranov]](https://jackflacco.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/igor-baranov-photography-zombie-7.jpg?w=840&h=697)
![[Photo credit: © Igor Baranov]](https://jackflacco.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/igor-baranov-photography-zombie-2.jpg?w=840&h=695)
![[Photo credit: © Igor Baranov]](https://jackflacco.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/igor-baranov-photography-zombie-3.jpg?w=840&h=670)
[Thank you Igor Baranov for granting JackFlacco.com the use of your 2013 Toronto Zombie Walk photography for this post.]
RANGER MARTIN AND THE ALIEN INVASION, on sale October 21.
Have you participated in a zombie walk/run/event? What did you like about it the most?
Looking to God 
Some great costumes. Disappointingly the annual zombie manual in my town no longer takes place. It got too big for its own good and the local authorities won’t permit them to stage it any more.
I don’t know if beautiful is the right word for these photos considering the subject matter…. So, stunning pictures!
Igor certainly did a great job with the subject matter, that’s for sure!
Your friend’s photos are amazing! Long live the Toronto Zombie Walk!
Some style – conscious zombies there !
He really is a great photographer. I’m proud to have hosted his work for this post!
Never been to one of those. I know a comic book shop that I lived near in Florida used to do a zombie hunt every few months. I was always working and figured I wouldn’t last very long. Love the zombies with umbrellas. They may be devourers of brains and flesh, but even they hate the feel of soaked clothes.
The dead stare but they do not see. They listen and do not hear. They touch and do not feel. They have no mind, no thoughts and no desires. They do not need to eat for they have no acids in their stomach and do not digest. The dead are weary of being used and are on strike. But once the strike is over and their wage demands met, WATCH OUT.
With so many people attending maybe a voluntary $1 donation would cover the event; drop the coin into a bucket, no hard sell.
But then again, I suppose zombies don’t have any need for money!
This is a great idea, as I recently attended a Rib Fest where they organizers asked for a $2 donation. It really worked out well. I ate tons and the festival is coming back next year!
It’d be such a shame if this type of fun event had to be cancelled. It usually all comes down to the bottom line – Moolah, dinero, greenbacks…..