Guinness Record Holding 7th Annual NJ ZOMBIE WALK Oct. 4th in Asbury Park to Raise Awareness of Brain Cancer
Kicking Off New “Grey Matters” Campaign ~ Benefitting “Camp Jinka” for Children of Families Impacted by Brain Cancer
This weekend’s 7th annual New Jersey Zombie Walk takes on a great matter ~ Grey Matter, that is ~ with their current focus on spreading awareness about brain cancer. Last year, the Zombie Walk gathered roughly 9,500 zombies, reclaiming the Guinness World Record, and this year the walk aims to gather even more while continuing to raise awareness for this incredibly important cause. Keep reading for more information on how they are saving your braaaaiinnsss…
Show up early! The festivities begin at 10:00am on October 4th; the actual walk starts at 4:00pm. Zombies will gather on the Asbury Park Boardwalk in full costume and then begin lurching down the Boardwalk towards the Carousel House. From there, they will turn and head up Cookman Avenue, shuffling towards the Downtown and Press Plaza. At 6:00pm, the main stage events and Zombie Street Fair begin! More on the day’s events is below, and you can visit njzombiewalk.com for updates.
RAISING AWARENESS OF BRAIN CANCER
The dead aim to save the living by concentrating on keeping New Jersey educated about brain cancer, specifically by focusing on benefiting select local programs. This year’s campaign will benefit Camp Jinka, a free summer program for children and teenagers whose lives have been impacted by brain cancer. This amazing retreat encourages a connection with others who are experiencing similar life-altering events. All the kids of Camp Jinka are residents of New Jersey and each camper brings with him or her a different story. Some are fighting a brain tumor themselves, others are trying to help a parent through treatment, some are survivors, but all of them are strong fighters! You can help in the fight by donating to Camp Jinka here.
Why the brain cancer focus? Sadly, NJZW’s very own Co-Director, Mariel, aka Zombie Momma, lost her Mom to brain cancer after a courageous two year fight. Following Zombie Momma’s devastating loss, she discovered Camp Jinka and felt an immediate connection with the kids of the camp. She soon learned they are funded purely by donations. With the help of our undead army we can achieve the impossible. Remember, as zombies, if we can catch it… we kill it!
In addition to waging the war on cancer, this year’s walk has a few new surprises for our beloved undead community:
THE GREY MATTERS AUCTION TENT!
This stop will be a major Zombie Walk hotspot! The Premier Theatre Company of Asbury Park is sponsoring a Tricky Tray fundraiser with ALL proceeds going to Camp Jinka! Sheets of 25 tickets will be on sale for $10. And the prizes? You wouldn’t believe how amazing… check out the New Jersey Zombie Walk site for a list of donors!
HAUNTED HALL @ 5:00pm!
There is a new horror in town and it’s called Haunted Hall. Townsquare Media is proud to present a new haunted attraction filled with twists, turns, surprises, and all things that go bump in the night. NJZW is excited to bring its loyal army this demo of Haunted Hall. Pricing is $8 for zombies and $15 for the living survivors. Be sure to come back any time after October 10th to get the full haunted experience.
It’s the undead’s turn to fear the darkness.
The Haunted Hall
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE HAUNTED HALL TICKETS!
BLOOD RED FIREWORKS @ 7:45pm!
After you stumble your way downtown in search of brains, just after sunset, the sky will rain blood. A red fireworks show will take place right on Asbury Park’s beach. Make sure you lurk back to the boardwalk because this show was created just for our zombies!
The annual raucous fun will proceed as it does every year with some returning events including the Undead Festival, a bazaar of the bizarre. This year’s New Jersey Zombie Walk will feature 50+ vendors and artists who are dedicated to all things horror, bringing you spooky goods to take home. Some of Asbury’s most popular restaurants and shops will be offering zombie-friendly menus, dinner specials, and discounts.
SPECIAL HOTEL RATES FOR THE UNDEAD!
Coming from out of town? The New Jersey Zombie Walk is partnering with local hotels to get the best rates possible for zombies coming to the Undead Festival!
Ten minutes from Asbury, the Holiday Inn Express in both Neptune and West Long Branch are offering zombies a discounted rate of only $89 per night! Room includes an Express Start Breakfast buffet and complimentary wireless internet. To book, visit the ‘Current Events’ page at njzombiewalk.com for links or simply call the Holiday Inn and mention the Zombie Walk! There are so many things lined up for this year you’re not going to want to miss a single moment of the fun!
Holiday Inn Express and Suites
3510 Route 66, Neptune, NJ 07753
732-922-9600
Holiday Inn Express and Suites
294 Route 36, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
732-542-1234
Move For Hunger’s Zombie Food Drive
To learn more about other activities at the New Jersey Zombie Walk, including the Move For Hunger’s Zombie Food Drive, the Central Jersey Blood Center’s Zombie Blood Drive, professional FX Zombie makeovers and more, visit njzombiewalk.com.
PRO ZOMBIE FX ARTIST’S ALLEY at the historic Carousel House
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The New Jersey Zombie Walk was conceived, organized and produced by Jason Meehan in Asbury Park in the Fall of 2008. Hearing stories from friends about zombie walks in other cities around the world, and finding no zombie walk within the Garden State to join, he was inspired to create one himself right in his own backyard. Jason, a professional photographer by day, continues to organize the event annually in cooperation with the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce.