Zombie flash mob to return at downtown Fall Festival

Last year’s flash mob featuring people dancing to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” was so successful it’s coming back for another spooky move down Front Street.

It’s part of the second annual Fall Festival from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday downtown at Front Street Festival Plaza. The festival provides free family fun with the flash mob, food trucks, arts and crafts, a costume contest, live music and more. There’s also a trunk or treat, plus other activities for children, like bounce houses, face painting, a magic show and balloons. Radio stations will have live remotes.

Event organizer Tameka Grady said the group of dancers has practiced weekly to pay tribute to Michael Jackson. They’ll descend on the festival from all over but more than likely end up on Front Street. Because it’s a flash mob, she can’t give the exact time, but it will likely be earlier than last year.

“They’ll be performing ‘Thriller’ and ‘Beat It,’” Grady said. They’ll transition from one to the other during the flash mob.

Attributing the flash mob’s success last year, she said, “I think by it being different, something different in the community.” Plus, Jackson was an international star. Not many people can be found who don’t like a song of his, she said.

“That is what’s great at bringing everyone together, music. Music and food,” Grady said.

Nonprofit organizations like Pink Ride and Bikers Against

Child Abuse will participate, and there will also be a blood drive.

Food vendors like Bad Bird Tea, Los Ruvalcaba with Mexican food and Happy Heart Catering with Cajun food will be on hand to provide tasty treats. Arts vendors include Black Swan Jewelry. It all adds up to a good time for kids and families.

“Just a fun day for people to come down and patronize downtown and come together as a community, hang out and have a good time,” Grady said.

Look for the flash mob to happen sometime between 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., the organizer said.

(More info and registration for trunk or treat: ArkLaTexFest. com or 903-701-7040.)

Gazette file photo Zombie dancers in the Thriller Flash Mob perform as they emerge from the crowd during the 2016 Fall Festival in downtown Texarkana.