Zombie Walk returns to Windsor for another year

A horde of zombies will shamble down Ouellette Avenue on October 19. 

The Windsor Zombie Walk has returned, and floats have been added. People are encouraged to come dressed as zombies or survivors and bring a canned or dry good if possible to donate to the Downtown Mission. 

Lead organizer Micheal Reeve said he hopes to encourage participants of all ages with prizes for Cutest Little Zombie, Best Zombie Couple, Best Survivor, and more. Reeve said he is expecting at least 1,000 “bodies” in attendance. 

“I want it to become a staple of Windsor,” said Reeve.  

The zombie walk was founded in 2006 by Jakub Witalec. When Witaliec went on to other projects, it left the future of the Zombie Walk uncertain. Enter Reeve and his alter ego Captain Hindgrinder. 

“Captain Hindgrinder is a persona I created when I was first a participant of the Windsor Zombie Walk,” said Reeve.  

The Captain has become the official mascot of the event, and explained he brings his zombie crew to help the cause. 

“What better way [to get support] than to get some cursed zombies from their pirate ship to atone for their own misdeeds of their past,” said the Captain.  

Reeve and his crew have been organizing the Zombie Walk since 2014. 

The reason for his dedication to the event, other than to spread the love of Halloween and horror like the zombie virus, Reeve said he wants to bolster donations to the Downtown Mission. 

“I, myself, had been homeless for over a year of my life,” said Reeve. “I’ve seen the lows, I’ve seen the desperation. There [were] programs out there … that helped me get to having a stable life again.” 

Reeve also works with the Windsor Youth Center. 

“These programs really, truly help, and this is my way of giving back,” said Reeve. 

The Captain said participants have shown an abundance of support during past Zombie Walks. 

“We raid [the people] for their support and kindness and we attribute that kindness to the Downtown Mission,” said the Captain. 

The horde will start gathering at Ouellette and Tuscarora at 4:30 p.m. and begin shuffling towards downtown at 6 p.m. Zombie participants will be herded along Ouellette Avenue from Tuscarora to Pitt Street, and beyond to finish at Villains Beastro on Pelissier. 

Captain Hindgrinder had only a few final words on the matter: “Get Bit. Join the horde.”