Article content Turns out the Montreal Canadiens have zombie fans, as Bobby Comeau from Inclusion Clare demonstrated during the Digby Zombie Walk. TINA COMEAUArticle contentGrey said there is a lot going on in the world these days and people need fun distractions.Article content“The world is kind of on fire right now, and it’s fun to do something different,” Grey said, feeling the timing was right for zombies to invade Digby.Article content“It all just kind of aligned to be the perfect time to do a zombie walk.”Article content Pierce Grey thought holding a zombie walk in Digby would be a great way to create an inclusive, fun event for all. He even held classes ahead of the walk so people could learn about how to play the part of a zombie. TINA COMEAUArticle contentThe classes drew interest from people ranging in age from 12 to 72.Article contentIn the classes, people learned about special effects with makeup. Things like how to make gelatin and latex effects and how to make blood.Article contentIt all brought the zombie experience to life.Article contentArticle contentINCLUSION AND COMMUNITYArticle contentGrey said Conway Workshop was the perfect place to execute this activity.Article content“Conway provides this community a place to belong, within their own community. It provides them with everything from life skills to fun. It also provides the community a place to come to,” said Grey.Article content“We need to understand that the people that are here should be a part of our community. In an ideal world, we shouldn’t need somewhere like Conway, but the reality is in rural, small towns, we need Conways that aren’t just for people with disabilities, but also for seniors, and also for people who just aren’t going anywhere that day and are wondering, where can I go today?”Article contentArticle contentGrey noted they’ve introduced programming to bring more people through the doors, such as a Monday crochet club that the community can participate in.Article content“We’re doing a lot of things like that. Things that everybody can come to,” said Grey. “We’re trying to not just be us, we’re trying to be us as a whole. It’s working out really well.”Article content Annie Ireland, of Inclusion Clare, departs from Conway Workshop with other zombies during the Digby Zombie Walk. TINA COMEAUArticle contentOne of the participants in the zombie walk was Annie Ireland, who works with Inclusion Clare.Article content“This gives individuals an opportunity to express themselves – some to the max,” she noted. “And it gives them the permission to do that without fear of repercussion or judgment.”Article contentIreland said working with Inclusion Clare has been a wonderful experience of daily kindness and acceptance. Previous to this, she worked for nearly 40 years in the mental health and addictions field, which was also important work.Article contentInclusion Clare supports adults with disabilities to achieve their full potential. It believes that when people with disabilities are thriving, so too are communities.Article contentArticle content“It’s such a lovely experience to be with the clients and families and the staff,” Ireland said.Article content Carrie DeViller had a lot of fun staying in character during the Digby Zombie Walk, which was a new event to the area. TINA COMEAUArticle contentZOMBIE SISTERSArticle contentCarrie DeViller couldn’t wait to be a zombie.Article content“I love doing makeup. Special effects makeup, I was never really able to do it. So, when Pierce came up with the zombie walk, I was like: Sign me up!” she said.Article content“I love doing stuff like this. It gets me out and I got to meet new friends.”Article contentTwo of her new friends are sisters Emma and Taylor Slack.Article content Zombie sisters Taylor and Emma Slack had a lot of fun taking part in the Digby Zombie Walk. TINA COMEAUArticle content“We wanted to learn. We thought it was fun and we wanted to do it,” Emma, 12, said about taking part in the classes and the walk. She also liked the idea of having the chance to go around and scare people.Article contentHer sister Taylor, 14, always wanted to try out zombie special effects.Article content“I’ve always been interested in it, so being in the zombie walk is quite fun for me. Especially with all the special effects thanks to Pierce,” she said.Article contentThe zombie walk began at Conway Workshop on Shreve Street and finished at the Digby Pier Lighthouse. The zombies made their way past a vendors’ market on Montague Row, where vendors had been eagerly anticipating their arrival.Article content“Here come the zombies!” shouted out one person.Article content Shards of fake glass stick out of the neck and face of Taylor Slack. She says it was fun to learn about special effects zombie makeup. TINA COMEAUArticle content“I’m so happy that we were able to do this,” said Emma, as her sister Taylor shared, “I’m really proud of how we look.”Article contentIn other words, there is no bad side when it comes to photographing zombies.Article content
Zombies invade Digby as a means of bringing the community and people together
