The Boardwalking Dead

THE ASBURY PARK Zombie Walk has become something of a Jersey Shore institution. But the story begins about 17 years ago, when Asbury Park was still in the early days of its incredible economic rebirth. In the fall of 2008, Asbury Park resident Jason Meehan felt inspired to create something that would draw tourists to his town’s recovering boardwalk. Inspired by similar events that had been held in cities like Toronto and Pittsburgh, Meehan pitched the idea to some friends, and then spread the word through flyers, posters, and a Myspace page.

The concept has always been simple: Dress like a zombie and join like-minded zombies for a walk on the boardwalk. But the event quickly struck a nerve. In 2008, about 450 zombies congregated—some in elaborate horror movie makeup, some just smeared with ketchup and baby powder. But the sight of so many undead ghouls staggering past the iconic Convention Hall set the stage for a phenomenon that has grown larger with each passing October.

By 2010, the Asbury Park Zombie Walk had exploded into a cultural event. That year, it attracted national media coverage and even earned a standing in the Guinness Book of World Records for the Largest Gathering of Zombies, with over 4,000 participants. In 2012, that record was beaten by a Minneapolis-based pub-crawl, which registered over 8,000 zombies. But by 2013—just five years into its history, nearly 9,600 zombies descended on Asbury Park, reclaiming the Guinness title for the Jersey Shore.

For a city that had weathered years of economic hardship, as well as the devastation of Hurricane Sandy in 2012, the Zombie Walk became a symbol of resilience. It’s a spirited reminder that the Jersey Shore has not only survived, but thrived and reinvented itself, with a continued mix of artistry, oddity and community spirit.

Reclaiming the world record in 2013, one year after Sandy, was especially poignant for Meehan, and for a lot of the participants. “The record was a big symbolic message that New Jersey is still alive and well and undead,” said Meehan in 2022.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY FRIGHTS

If you’ve attended the Zombie Walk in recent years, you know that to call it a “walk” no longer does it justice. The event now feels more like a proper festival, attracting visitors from across the tristate area and beyond. Bars and breweries serve themed drinks like pumpkin ales and zombie punch. Shops run special one-day-only events and promotions. And naturally, live (or is that dead?) music can be found throughout the town.

For the uninitiated, there are zombie makeover stations, where professional makeup artists apply gore on the go. For all the kids who love gross-out humor as much as they love a sugary dessert, there’s a brain-eating contest featuring piles of Jell-O in the shape of human craniums. And of course, there are several highly competitive contest categories, with cash prizes and a golden zombie trophy up for grabs.

In 2024, Brown University student Jill Sheridan made the journey to Asbury Park all the way from Providence, Rhode Island, after many years of following the Zombie Walk on social media.

“It was at least 10 years ago that I first started seeing the pictures on Facebook,” says Sheridan. “And every year, my friends and I would say, ‘We have to do that.’ This was the year that my sister and I finally just got in the car and said, ‘Let’s go!’”

When Sheridan finally arrived at the 2024 event—after a five-hour car ride—she felt dramatically underdressed. “I thought we looked pretty scary until we actually got there. So many people go all out. That’s when I realized, we weren’t nearly horrifying enough!”

MORE THAN GORE

Beneath the undead appearance, there’s a beating heart behind the event. For local businesses, the Zombie Walk is a chance to have one more afternoon of summer-sized foot traffic, a month after the Labor Day crowds have left. For local charities, it’s an opportunity to raise money or awareness at a free event. At the 2024 event, zombie nurses collected donations for the American Cancer Society, while zombie Donald Trump and zombie Kamala Harris walked side by side, reminding people to vote.

It’s also a chance for local artists to showcase their talents. For aspiring costume designers or makeup artists, the day is a networking opportunity. Even local dance schools have become a fixture, with choreographed dance routines and flash mobs making appearances in previous years.

Like any good zombie story, the Zombie Walk has had some close calls. In 2015, Meehan announced that he was stepping away from organizing, citing the rising costs and logistic headaches of masterminding such a big event.

But by that time, the Zombie Walk had already taken on a life of its own. Today, residents and business owners from across the Jersey Shore collaborate to keep the free, homegrown event thriving, with last year’s event cosponsored by Johnny Mac’s House of Spirits and MINI of Edison.

This year’s Asbury Park Zombie Walk is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 4. Costumes aren’t mandatory, so don’t feel obliged to dress up, especially if you’re all out of fake blood. But if you want to fit in, be sure to look absolutely horrifying.

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ZOMBIE RIVALRY

Yes, the Largest Gathering of Zombies is officially an honor recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records. Here’s a brief history of that record and the blood-pumping rivalry that has been waged between Asbury Park and Minneapolis.

1.  Monroeville Mall, Pittsburgh (2006)

The earliest officially recognized record occurs on Oct. 29, 2006, at Pittsburgh’s inaugural “Walk of the Dead.” The event features 894 zombies, marking the first Guinness-certified zombie walk of its kind.

2. Monroeville Mall, Pittsburgh (2007) 

One year later, the same location sets a new standard with 1,028 zombies.

3. Nottingham, England (2008)

On Oct. 31, 2008, Nottingham’s Old Market Square hosts 1,227 zombies.

4. Monroeville Mall, Pittsburgh (2008) 

Pittsburgh’s Walk of the Dead reclaims the title with 1,341 zombies.

5. Seattle (2009)

Seattle’s “Red, White and Dead” Zombie Walk hosts a crowd of 3,894 zombies.

6. Ledbury, England (2009)

The Brits are back in the running, as The Big Chill Festival in Ledbury hosts 4,026 zombies.

7. Asbury Park (2010)

Asbury Park sets a new record on Oct. 30, 2010, where 4,093 zombies are officially counted—though organizers believe the actual turnout exceeds 5,000.

8. St. Paul (2012)

The Twin Cities Zombie Pub Crawl at St. Paul’s Midway Stadium records 8,027 zombies.

9. Asbury Park (2013)

The Jersey Shore reclaims the title with a staggering 9,592 zombies.

10. Minneapolis Zombie Pub Crawl (2014)

— 15,458 zombies

On Oct. 11, 2014, the Zombie Pub Crawl in Minneapolis shatters all records with an enormous assembly of 15,458 zombies, officially recognized by Guinness as the largest group to date. Minneapolis still holds the title as of 2025.

BY M+B STAFF