Zombie X

October 21, 2019

 

Jevne 

Livi

Kristyn

Virginia

Zombie X

It is hard to imagine a better success story than the annual Zombie Bike Ride. Having been to and participated in all ten years of the fun and zany event and watched first-hand the explosive growth and success that the event has achieved has been tremendously rewarding, especially since our friends are the brainchild and organizers in what has become one of the biggest and best events of the year, and one that was a standalone success story before being incorporated into the official Fantasy Fest family when the new management took over a few years ago.

Jimmy and Miguel

Morgan 

Elle

Livi and Jenn

It had very humble beginnings, there were maybe a few hundred of us present on that first day. Starting from WeCycle on Stock Island, the painted crew made its way downtown stopping at a couple of locations along the way in what was at the time a creative, fun, family friendly alternative to the raunchiness that Fantasy Fest had become.

 

Dan

There were so few of us that we even all fit into a single group photo of our motley Zombie crew taken at Salute during that first ride. Taking a group photo this year would require a helicopter as the crowd has exploded and now some 10,000 Zombie bikers flood the street, starting at East Martello tower and again heading downtown. In addition an equal or perhaps greater number of spectators line the streets to watch.

Kristyn and Lea

 

Jeremy

In fact you will now find tailgaters, private parties all along the route and thousands who come out just to check out the crazy scene. It has been truly amazing to see. The Zombie Ride along with the Tutu Party are my two favorite annual events of the week and it is mostly because even though they were started as an alternative to Fantasy Fest and have grown into massive events that are now two of the touchstones of Fantasy Fest itself, they have managed to maintain their creativity, integrity and fun factor as they have grown massively, which is a testament to the creative forces that the organizers bring to the table and their conviction to not just sell out, which they could easily have done.

Steve and Rob 

Evan and Evan?? 

Nan and Mark

Their success and the massive popularity of the Zombie ride are well-earned and well deserved and it could not have happened to better people. The fact that thousands of visitors and locals agree only proves the point that you can host a massive and successful family friendly creative event with the raunchiness, nudity and sex that the previous Fantasy Fest organizers thought was the only way to go.

Wendy and Scott

 

I always break my Zombie Day into a couple of parts, I like to head over to East Martello early, the festivities begin at two in the afternoon, so that I can watch the build-up, preparation and watch the talented crew of body painters do their magic. It is a party atmosphere as they have DJs spinning tunes, food and beverages and the vibe and anticipation grow as the afternoon progresses toward the scheduled 6 PM start of the actual bike ride.

Hutch an Sophia

Liz as Dolly 

Chris and Livi

This year it was brutally hot so I did not hand around as long early, but headed home for a shower and some rest before returning about 5 or so when the preparations move into overdrive and the masses begin to assemble. It really is something to watch and to experience. The mood is buoyant and the immense creativity of our community is on full display.

Erin

Ryan

I am not sure if it was due to this being the tenth anniversary or what, but this year many participants outdid themselves and the costumes, decorated bikes and other conveyances were absolutely amazing. It is really impossible to capture the size and scope and true artistry that is found among the participants but hopefully these images will give you a small idea of the experience and why I love it so much.

Camilla