Dating back to 2003, the Toronto Zombie Walk has become a tradition among genre aficionados, pre-Halloween event junkies and casual travelers in search of an inimitable photo opportunity. What do you need to know to participate?
Save the Date: 10-22-2011
The 2011 Toronto Zombie Walk departs from Trinity Bellwoods Park at 3 p.m. on October 22. Situated on the western side of Toronto, the park is a favorite location for drumming circles, protest rallies and a host of cultural events. On this day, zombie walk participants are anticipated to show up as early as 8 a.m. to don their costumes, put on makeup and add finishing touches with the help of fellow-zombies, purveyors of fake limbs and blood as well as highly creative “old timers.” Prizes and special giveaways are another good reason to get there early.
Rules and Regs
Even zombie walks have rules, and the Toronto event is no exception. Participants should wear zombie attire. Shuffling, groaning and associated zombie behaviors are expected; however, do not take liberties with other participants or bystanders. In particular, do not go out of your way to freak out young children. Event organizers urge participants to “respect other zombies, and the living’s [sic] personal space.” Moreover, to avoid confusion and possible authority intervention, the Toronto Zombie Walk is 100 percent weapons free; leave weapon props at home. Rethink your costume, if necessary.
Where to Eat
Visit Chippy’s for the quintessential fish and chips lunch experience. It is right across the street from Trinity Bellwoods Park, and there is a good chance that management will not mind Toronto Zombie Walk participants in their gory finery. Even so, order your food to go and be prepared to pay in cash.
Another option is Aunties and Uncles for breakfast. The place has a diner feel and offers vegetarian dishes. If children are in attendance, particularly gory zombie walkers might be asked to eat up and leave. It might be better to sit down and enjoy the meal before dressing up — especially if you plan on adding a lot of guts and gore that would put anyone off their feed. (Other than fellow Toronto Zombie Walk participants, that is.)
If you want to get an early start on dressing up, visit the Lakeview Restaurant. It offers home-style cooking, fish and chips as well as diner fare. It is also open around the clock. The restaurant serves delicious food sufficiently early to provide even the most active zombies with sustenance for their shuffle, while it also has plenty of goodies to offer to the stragglers after the zombie walk — probably also after they take off their makeup.
Establishment Information
Trinity Bellwoods Park
790 Queen St. W., Toronto, ON, M5H2N2
(416) 392-0743
Chippy’s
893 Queen St. W., Toronto, ON, M5H2N2
Open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
(416) 887-9369
Aunties and Uncles
71 Lippincott Street, Toronto, ON M5S 2P1
Open daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
(416) 324-1375
The Lakeview Restaurant
1132 Dundas Street W., Toronto, Canada M6J 1X2
Open around the clock
(416) 850-8886