Zombies attack

Zombies marched down Kirkwood Avenue Tuesday night, attacking cars, pedestrians and shops as they searched for brains. More than 100 participants dressed up in costumes, including Jesus, Harry Potter and Jackie Onassis.\nStarted as a Facebook.com event, participants were asked to march to help in the ongoing effort to “promote zombie awareness.” Participants arrived at the Sample Gates dressed as their own impression of a zombie, eager to begin their march for brains.\n“Stumbling down the main thoroughfare of town, moaning for brains; what else could be more fun?” IU alumnus and Bloomington resident Ashley Gant said. People made costumes out of everything from ripped jeans and fake blood to toilet paper wounds and cornflake scabs. Some ideas, like Kenn Eskridge’s, came from Web sites.\n“You gotta love YouTube,” Eskridge said, thanking the site for its interactive zombie costume instructions.\nEager to stalk the night, the zombies rubbed blood on each other and admired each other’s costumes. \n“I plan to roll around on the ground,” junior Evan Wells said.\nAs the march began, zombies moaned, dragged their feet and wandered into the street calling for brains. As the slow-moving zombies stumbled through the street, pedestrians stopped to watch and laugh, climbing up on stone walls of Kirkwood Avenue’s flower beds and huddling together for safety. As the march progressed, more zombies wandered into the street, stopping traffic. Cars honked for the zombies to move, and the shambling crowd screamed back in protest. \n“You can’t help but smile when you see that,” Bloomington High School North senior David Fischer said, as the dead Jesus stopped a line of cars.\nAnything was a potential victim, including magazine and newspaper stands, bikers, two girls chased away down an alley and cars waiting at intersections. Passing the Taco Bell on 309 N. Walnut St., the zombies swarmed with a shout of, “Taco’s ahhhh!” before staggering into the building.\nThe zombies ended their parade at Jake’s Nightclub and Bar, at 419 N. Walnut St., where the Death Disco Zombie Prom took place. The zombies entered costume contests, took prom pictures, participated in a brain eating contest, watched a fire dancer and danced to the DJ and a live performance by the Paranormals.\n“I think it’s great,” Bloomington resident Vic Stelzner said, as she watched the zombies attack Taco Bell. “It’s so fun and creative.”\nAs for the zombies taking over the street, Vic’s husband Jef Stelzner said it just made it more realistic.