World Zombie Day draws thousands of shambling, costumed participants

Thousands of people around the world donned zombie costumes Saturday to mark World Zombie Day, a fundraiser to combat hunger that was filled with fake blood and braaaaiiiins.

Founded in 2006 in Pittsburgh, where Dawn of the Dead was filmed, the event now attracts aficianados from around the globe, including London and Paris. They're asked to donate nonperishable food for local food banks before they participate.

Organizers say Pittsburgh’s Zombie Walk has established three world records for numbers of participants through the years, though it's tough to find official numbers. The zombies are discouraged from touching anyone as they shamble around and to avoid smearing fake blood on walls, signs or buildings.

Zombie movie maestro George A. Romero has died at age 77.

The Night of the Living Dead writer/director died Sunday in Toronto, his agent David Gersh confirmed to USA TODAY. Romero, who died from lung cancer, wrote on Facebook in May that he was fighting a respiratory infection that had grounded him from flying.

He died while listening to the score of The Quiet Man, one of his favorite films, with his wife Suzanne and daughter Tina by his side, his family said in a statement to the Associated Press.