Zombies return the Commons with a vengeance
Posted on Oct 30, 2012 in News
Last Wednesday, the zombie invasion across campus was not a reminiscent daydream of the most recent The Walking Dead episode; it was the 4th annual Zombie Day.
Zombie day 2012 was a big success as more people decided to get more involved with the event. Kyle Thompson/Staff Photographer
Around noon, the survivors announced, “the zombies are coming!” to anyone who happened to be feasting in the Commons. A mock battle ensued, and the zombies were left standing with a victory over the survivors.
“This was the key event for Zombie Day. Last year, the survivors won in the mock battle, so the winners definitely alternate,” said Daniel Warren, the co-director of Zombie Day.
Amidst the primarily academic-related events at UAB–not that zombie education is not educational–many students are wondering, why zombies? Who came up with this idea and why?
Four years ago, Edward Hicks, now a UAB graduate, posed a simple question: Could he form a group of students that would be interested in dressing up as a zombie with him? Thus, the Zombie Day tradition at UAB was born.
“This year’s Zombie Day was threatened because Hicks graduated, and we didn’t have a leadership role. Brandon Fultz and I stepped up and decided to take on the role, and Films & Novelties sponsored us. The attendance has grown every year, and at the peak of the event, we had about eighty zombies,” said Warren.
Zombie sign cautioning the student public. Kyle Thompson/Staff Writer
In addition to the attack in the Commons, there was a Mr. & Mrs. Zombie Contest where the male and female zombies with the best zombie persona are crowned. There is also a ‘Most Valuable Zombie’ title.
“This year, a girl who was about 4 years old won. She had the complete outfit with makeup and all. During the costume contest, she pretended to nibble someone’s calf to try and ‘zombify’ them,” said Warren.
The zombies’ costume design is up to participants, and Warren mentioned that there were a lot more ‘Shuffling Zombies’ this year–that is, zombies who drag their feet while walking due to impaired or limited motor skills.
“There’s the weirdness of the event, and then there’s just the enjoyment factor. It’s a great way for freshmen and sophomores to find groups of students who are involved. Usually, the zombie participants walk away making new friends,” said Warren.
Zombie Day is made possible solely by a unique group of students who have an interest in zombies, and every year the turnout increases.
“Next year, we’re hoping to invite speakers on campus, have a band play theme music, and more,” said Warren.
Kaylyn Alexander
Staff Writer
kaylyn@uab.edu