In what will likely go down as one of the more unusual public events to take place in downtown Durham's history, this Saturday at 5pm hordes of the undead will wander the center city, looking for tasty brains to snack on.
All in good fun, of course.
Yes, the international zombie lurch fad is about to hit the streets of the Bull City; other cities have seen crowds grow into the thousands for this event, but expect a more moderate crowd to show up this weekend.
What's the point? Who cares? You get to dress up in your pre-Halloween worst and get made up like a zombie, then cavort around the street making ghoulish sounds and scaring small children. Fun!
Make-up call is at 4:30 at the corner of Foster and Seminary across from the Piedmont restaurant. If you're already wearing your undead best, arrive at five. Organizers note that attendees should plan to come rain or shine, since even if it rains, "we'll brave it—it's not going to kill us. Since we're already dead and all." The total zombie meandering route is estimated at 1.5 miles.
Zombies are asked to stay on the sidewalks (since this is not a parade) and to not attack anyone who is not a "voluntary victim."
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In honor of this special event, BCR presents our top-seven list of people we'd like to see show up for the zombie march. (Why seven? Hey, Durham's a small city.)
7. City Manager Patrick Baker: Not dressed up as a zombie, mind you, but just to keep calm and order on the streets, and remind citizens there is nothing to fear. Let's call it practice for the alien invasion.
6. Howard Clement: Howard would make one bad-ass zombie. I'm just sayin'.
5. Bill Kalkhof: Because, really, shouldn't the guy who's making downtown "undead" show up as an undead guy himself?
4. Jim Goodmon: We've seen him dance. Now, let's see him shuffle!
3. Bob Ashley of the Herald-Sun: Hey, running a local newspaper is ghoulish these days. Come and be inspired.
2. Mike Krzyzewski: Simply because there is absolutely no chance that the most media-savvy coach in college sports would ever do it.
And the number one spot goes to...
1. Mike Nifong: Because it's an ideal chance to field-test a new approach to anonymity. Bonus points if his presence draws extra media hype.
First the Creative Class, now Zombies! This is the next big thing for this Bull City as it rises. Count me in!
Posted by: Elrond Hubbard | October 26, 2007 at 05:40 PM
Do you happen to know who organized this?
Posted by: Stacy | October 27, 2007 at 09:56 PM
The wife and I went to witness the Lurch this afternoon. The zombies were having a good time, but I think the idea of the Lurch proved to be better than the execution. This was only due to the sheer lack of viewers to the "parade route". The zombies would benefit greatly from having the Scene of the Crime Rovers accompany them, playing some nice, melancholy dirges. Of course, I imagine that most of the SOC Rovers (http://socrovers.org/) would want to *be* the zombies, not accompany them.
Posted by: ASE | October 27, 2007 at 10:02 PM
So next time, let's make it a zombie marching band!
Posted by: Michael Bacon | October 28, 2007 at 07:13 PM
It was INCREDIBLE. Go, random durham people, for coming out on saturday! We want to to do it again, and I don't think it can wait until next year. Valentine’s day zombie lurch, anyone? Easter also seems fitting.
Posted by: zombie | October 29, 2007 at 12:31 AM
I wish I would have known about this one instead of the Raleigh one. Anyone know where the main source of the zombie walk planning comes from?
Posted by: Stacy | October 29, 2007 at 01:32 AM
FYI we did try to recruit the SOC rovers...but somehow the request kinda got lost in the minutia--or we just mentioned it to the wrong people...
organized by Maria brubeck, Jigsaw Jones, and Myself Vera reina...we're happy it went off as well as it did and hope to do it again, NOT just at Halloween!
we're mad-proud of all the folks who turned out and we had a great time with everyone, ranging in ages of about 4-65.
some of the runs were pretty quiet, but it was all about timing, but some were definite hotspots...
we had to stick to sidewalks, lest we pay for a permit...
Thanks Durham!
Posted by: VeraS | October 29, 2007 at 08:53 AM
" I think the idea of the Lurch proved to be better than the execution."
and for the record, we are only a trio of people with a vision to do something fun that would bring people together, and are very much new to the phenomenon, at least give us some credit for making the effort. We did manage to get a good group out that had lots of fun and were happy to continue hanging out into the evening. we all met so many people, and I cant say we would change much of anything.
Posted by: VeraS | October 29, 2007 at 09:25 AM
Hey all!
Just wanted to FYI that random durham folks are doing it again!
2nd annual Durham Zombie Lurch to be held on Saturday November 1st
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8688537670
doing my best to let all the media outlets know and still keep it free and cheap...if anyone can spread the word, that would be great! you should start seeing the flyers pop up any day now!
This year, we may see Scene of the Crime rovers!
make it a full durham day! Check out the Durham Art walk, and check out Preservation Durham's first ever Ghost Walk!! it'll be over just in time for you to have some supper downtown and then hook up with us for some braaains!!
meet between 530-6pm across from Piedmont restaurant--Lurch right around 6pm
Thanks y'all, for being freaky Durham Folk...and thanks to whomever finds the graciousness to advertise, announce or spread this around!
-Vera
Posted by: Vera Reina | October 18, 2008 at 09:54 AM
FYI, this article is from 2007. The 2009 zombie lurch is set for Oct. 30, 2009. Look for a story on this subject a few days before the event at BCR.
Posted by: Bull City Rising | October 21, 2009 at 12:45 PM