Last year, the It's Alive Zombiefest was one of the first horror conventions Fear Zone attended. We videotaped author readings by Gary Braunbeck, Lucy Snyder, Kim Paffenroth, and Scott A. Johnson. Unfortunately our videographer was a bit of a "con" himself--he never edited and submitted the videos and ignored my e-mails! Fortunately, the same authors expect to participate this year as well, so we may get a second shot...

I had a great time at this show, and the convention center was one of the best convention locations I'd ever attended. In an interesting twist, vendor tables were arranged around seating areas, so that vendors got to watch the screenings, readings and panels as well as the attendees. By the same token, there was something disappointing about the con being held in a convention center right next to the Monroeville Mall, where George Romero (who needs the "A"?) shot DAWN OF THE DEAD? It just felt like the show should have been held in the actual mall.

Drum roll, please...

WhatNos the best way to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the George Romero classic zombie film DAWN OF THE DEAD? By holding a zombie-themed festival at the site where it was filmed.

The ItNos Alive Zombie Fest?, taking place on October 25 & 26 at the Monroeville Mall in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, will be a zombie fanNos delight. "Pittsburgh has long been considered the zombie capital of the world," says Mark Menold, organizer of Zombie Fest?, and creator, producer and host of The IT'S ALIVE SHOW, PittsburghNos late night horror host program. "People come from around the globe to make a pilgrimage to the Monroeville Mall because of DAWN OF THE DEAD being filmed here. ItNos like a zombie Mecca."

Zombie Fest? will feature vendors from across the county offering collectible and hard-to-find horror and zombie-themed wares for sale; zombie films; discussion panels featuring award-winning horror writers; bands; celebrity guests; games and other fun activities for zombie fans of all ages. The events at the Mall will be open to the public and free of charge; some after-hour events are in development that will carry a nominal admission fee of which all proceeds will go to the FestNos designated charity, the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.

"We decided that since 2008 is such a monumental year for zombie fans that weNod change our format from a traditional horror convention to a show that is accessible for everyone," says Menold. "It will be a little different from what our vendors and fans are used to, but it'os an opportunity to reach a wider audience of zombie fans."

On the eve of Zombie Fest?, Friday, October 24, a Zombie Masquerade Ball will be held at the Churchill Valley Country Club. The Ball will feature live entertainment as well as a DJ and will be an age 21 and over event. Prizes will be awarded for best overall costume as well as best zombie costume. There will be a separate admission fee for the Ball (to be determined).

The highlight of the weekend will be World Zombie Day? on Sunday, October 26 featuring zombie walks with accompanying food drives aimed at raising awareness of the problem of global hunger. At press time, approximately 40 cities have signed on to participate, including New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Seattle, London and Hong Kong as well as cities in Canada, Australia and Costa Rica. The hub of WZD will be the Monroeville Mall Zombie Walk on Sunday morning, led by Menold as Professor Emcee Square, his character on THE IT'S ALIVE SHOW. The prior two walks organized by Menold at the Mall earned Guinness World Records?; the 2007 walk received a Rondo S. Hatton Classic Horror Award for Best Fan Event of the year.

Menold promises a memorable time for fans who participate in the weekendNos activities. "This event is going to rock 33.3% harder than last year. I want people who come to Zombie Fest? to be able to mingle with the guests and dance at the Zombie Ball, to play zombie games, have a chance to appear in a TV show about zombies, rock out to live bands, and to participate in another world record attempt at the Monroeville Mall. This is the location where George Romero shot DAWN OF THE DEAD! At Zombie Fest?, you can actually be a zombie for a day. Three days, really.?

For more information and updates, please visit www.theitsaliveshow.com.