The organizers of Toronto’s Zombie Walk feared that it might not continue due to funding concerns, but the event is still running this year.
The 12th annual walk has had trouble raising the $50,000 needed to keep the event going. As a last measure, the organizers launched an online crowd-funding campaign to raise money for necessities such as parade permits, security, and street closures.
The event takes place Saturday, Oct. 25 and starts at Nathan Phillips Square. This year, there will be extra benefits at the event, such as an after-party at the Hard Rock Café. But what is it about this event that draws over 12,000 people each year?
“I love zombies and all those dark things,” Davis said. “I think a lot of people feel the same way about the walk. The most popular part of it is the costumes… some of the costumes are phenomenal.”
But no matter how popular or expensive the walk gets, no one attending the event will ever have to pay a mandatory fee according to Zanini.
“It has always been a free event and it will always be a free event,” she said. “If you have a couple bucks to pay then that’s awesome. If you don’t, then word of mouth is just as lovely.”