UPDATE: Preliminary numbers show 4,233 zombies were in Fremont yesterday, which should break the world record of 4,026, reports KOMOnews.com. We’ve contacted Ryan Reiter at Fremont Outdoor Movies for verification, which we’ll hopefully have after the holiday.
They shuffled, ambled and sometimes lunged at unsuspecting spectators. They chased zombie hunters who rationalized their attacks on them by saying, “The undead aren’t people.” They threatened to eat the living, although some chose to go vegan or organic in their dining preferences. They came caked in (fake) blood, several stages of decomposition and excelling in creativity. A lot of people have been watching a lot of zombie movies, because they were all kinds of convincing.
We saw several varieties of Zombie: Stormtrooper Staked by Lightsaber, Star Trek (always the red shirts!), Horror Movie Perfect, World Cup fan/Vuvuzela (stop blowing that damn horn!), Baby, Prom, Village People, Killed by Golfball, Goth, Family, Office Worker, Bride, Brain Eating, Hobo Couple, etc. Zombies don’t discriminate.
This is our Day of the (Un)Dead, the zombiewalk known as the Red, White & Dead event, right here in the (UnDead) Center of the Universe, Fremont.
They came in droves to try to break the Guinness Book of World Records for most zombies in one location. Seattle had 3,894 zombies turn out last year for the walk to set a record, but English zombies later one-upped us with 4,026.
Something about cold, wet climates bring out an infectious number of the zombie nation.
They congregated on 35th Street between Phinney and 1st Avenue NW for the better part of the day, starting at noon. The actual walk did not start until after 6. Some even took coffee breaks before their big walk.
They went west on 35th, turned right to go down 36th, headed toward the Fremont Bridge on Fremont Avenue, and then looped around on 34th.
They followed Zombie Captains who dangled body parts to lure them forward in their lumbering march.
Even in their undead state, they were true Seattle zombies: they did not cross the street until the WALK sign/symbol lit up.
And where there are zombies, there are a lot of zombie hunters. But they were often outnumbered, though they did manage to slow some down. Melees broke out sporadically. But more often than not, the zombies prevailed, pushing their all-too human resistance into retreat.
Krisha Catzen, Zombie Homeland Security & Owner of Seattle’s first Pole Dancing School,Pole for the Soul
Some humans took refuge in trees, only to find themselves surrounded! Sometimes, it really did feel like being in a zombie movie.
Photo credit: Janine Henkel
And some came up suddenly to those of us observing, scaring us into screaming/laughing like a girl. Which I am.
Zombie hecklers were also in attendance, most notably from the steps of the Red Door on 34th, a major undead watching area. Here, the zombies were judged, and sometimes, they didn’t respond so favorably!
We’ll let you know if they break the world record!
While the rest of the country celebrates our country’s independence this weekend, Seattle honors its dead - its walking dead - in the second annual Red, White & Dead event. Seattle can lay claim to the “Zombie Capital of the World” once and for all in the “Dead” Center of the Universe.
This is your warning to NOT be freaked out by the sometimes very convincing zombies that will take over Fremont on Saturday by the thousands. Yeah, that’s right - enough for 3 “Resident Evil” movies! The goal is to outdo the Brits, who hold the zombie walk Guinness World Record through the Big Chill Music Festival in England.
“Look out British, the Zombies are coming!” said Eric Pope of Seattle Zombie Walk, a group that helps organize the walk. “Seattle had 3,894 zombies turn out last year for the walk to set a record, but England later edged us out with 4,026. We’re back to reclaim the title, and I hope to see 10,000 zombies roaming the streets, so Seattle will hold the title for good!”
From noon to midnight Saturday at Fremont Outdoor Movies (3501 Phinney Ave. N.), there will be an attempt to beat Guinness Book of Records with most “zombies” in one location. 3,575 are expected, but as Pope mentioned, the record could be broken - again.
From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., zombies will dance and walk on sidewalks in Fremont, with North 35th Street closed from Phinney Avenue North to First Avenue NW.
Pre-register online for $3, or pay $5 at the door.
In addition to the attempt at the record and the shuffling dancing and walking that goes with channeling zombie, this year’s festivities will also include a huge Thriller Dance, Zombie fashion show, musical performances, special guests and all time Zombie classic, George A. Romero’s DAWN OF THE DEAD. And more: a blood drive, canned food drive and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the local non profit organization, the Seattle International Film Festival in support of their new film center that will be at the Seattle Center.
From Fremont Outdoor Movies:
This year also marks the “Year of the Zombie” and Seattle seems to be the center of attention, as 2010 marks another first for Seattle with ZomBcon, the world’s first Zombie Culture Convention infecting Seattle on Halloween weekend at the Seattle Center and Experience Music Project with over 100 Exhibitors, 10 interactive fan workshops, panels, a SIFF-curated film series, and Halloween Masquerade , Zombie Prom party. We plan to have a collection of experts, authors, filmmakers, historians, celebrities and all the gear and fan fare for the Quintessential Zombie fan.
We’ll be there, and we’ll post the gruesome photos here on Fremont Universe.
The organizers of Fremont Outdoor Movies are headed to San Diego to accept the official Guinness World Record for the largest zombie walk on the planet. The official tally: 3,894 zombies who limped through the neighborhood earlier this month. The award will be presented at Comic Con this Friday. “We are very proud of this achievement for those who came out, dressed up, and participated in making world history,” said Ryan Reiter with Fremont Outdoor Movies.
By the way, thousands of zombies are expected to crowd Comic Con promote Woody Harrelson’s upcoming post-apocalyptic comedy, “Zombieland.” So the Fremont Outdoor Movies folks will be in good company.
Updated: At first, organizers thought they were 300 zombies short of a world record. The call for more zombies went out late Friday night over Twitter. “They’re 300 zombies short of the record! Put on some blood and come to Fremont now!” explained one Tweet.
But turned out, reinforcements weren’t needed. Fremont has broken the world’s record for the most zombies in one place. The count: 3,848 zombies had officially registered, although organizers with Fremont Outdoor Movies believed that as many as 6,000 flooded the neighborhood with blood, guts and gore. The count continued late into the night.
Well over a thousand zombies danced to Michael Jackson’s Thriller. The event was scheduled before his death, and it became a tribute of sorts. The dancing, well, was less than coordinated.
Many zombies spared no expense on makeup.
And, of course, everyone professed their love of brains.
Dozens of volunteers did their best to keep traffic flowing as the walk began, although an occasional zombie mob “threatened” passing drivers on 36th.
When it was over, thousands of zombies went home happy they’re now world record holders, and the Fremont Outdoor Movies volunteers worked into the morning hours cleaning up the aftermath of the zombie rampage. Photos from Narisa (see more) and Fremont Universe. You can see more here, too.
Beginning this evening, thousands of zombies will converge on Fremont in an attempt to break the world record for a zombie flash mob. Organizers with Fremont Outdoor Movies expect as many as 5,000 zombies as part of the “Red, White & Dead” party. Here’s the event lineup and schedule:
Author S.G. Browne will be reading from his latest book “Breathers” at Fremont Place Books beginning at 4 p.m.
Registration begins at 6 p.m. at the Fremont Outdoor Movies lot at N 35th St. and Phinney Ave. There’s a $5 recommended donation.
Fremont First Friday art walk begins at 6 p.m. Details here.
Walk begins at 7 p.m., growing as the night goes on. Walking tips here.
At 9 p.m., it’s the much-anticipated Thriller Dance back at the lot. S.G. Browne will also say a few words.
“Shaun of the Dead” begins playing on two screens at 10 p.m.
Don’t know how to look like a zombie? Here are some tips, and there will be makeup tables (for a donation) available, too. We’ll be there snapping photos, and if you have a photo or two to share, email us at tips@fremontuniverse.com.
As you’ve likely heard here, here, and here, among a million or so other websites, Michael Jackson died today of a cardiac arrest at the age of 50. What does this have to do with Fremont? As noted earlier on Fremont Universe, next Friday, July 3rd, the organizers of the “Red, White and Dead Zombie Party” are organizing an attempt at breaking the Guinness record for the largest zombie flash mob. In conjunction with the festivities, at 8:30 that evening, all Fremont zombies will organize together to participate in a giant Thriller dance party, an attempt at another Guinness record!
So, will MJ’s passing today bring out the crowds next Friday? We’ll see…
Beginning this evening, thousands of zombies will converge on Fremont in an attempt to break the world record for a zombie flash mob. Organizers with Fremont Outdoor Movies expect as many as 5,000 zombies as part of the “Red, White & Dead” 
As you’ve likely heard 