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Hundreds of zombies to fill Wadsworth streets for 'Thriller' dance: Sneak peek

Organizers say more than 200 zombies are expected to participate in this year's 'Thriller' dance, which is part of Wadsworth's annual Scare On The Square.

WADSWORTH, Ohio — Editor's note: Video in the player above was originally featured in an unrelated Halloween story from Wadsworth on Oct. 18, 2022.

Its creepy choreography is legendary – and it will soon be haunting Wadsworth.

Hundreds of zombies will fill the streets in a special recreation of Michael Jackson’s iconic Thriller music video on Thursday night as part of the city's annual Halloween event known as Scare On The Square.

The spooky celebration of the 1982 hit is expected to begin around 7 p.m. at Dolce at the Strand on Broad Street with performers dancing all the way down to St. Mark’s on College Street.

The director of Wadsworth Thriller, Lori McIlvaine, tells 3News they are expecting more than 200 zombies to participate this year who range in age from 3 to 90 years old.

See photos from a previous Thriller dance event in the gallery below:

“I love this event because people of all ages can participate together,” McIlvaine says. “What other activity can a grandma enjoy doing with her teenage grandchild?!”

This marks the Thriller event’s ninth year in Wadsworth, which McIlvaine estimates will bring more than 6,000 spectators “if the weather is nice.”

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What can you expect? Here's video of the Thriller dance in Wadsworth from 2018:

Square On The Square also includes downtown trick-or-treating from 5-7 p.m., hayrides, a life-size Candyland game, pumpkin decorating contest and more, according to the Main Street Wadsworth Facebook page.

All downtown streets will be closed for the event from 4:30 – 8:30 p.m. Those planning to attend are advised to arrive early and park in downtown public parking lots.

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To help get you into the spooky spirit, here's a look back at the Thriller music video...

MORE HALLOWEEN HEADLINES: 

Editor's note: Video in the player above was originally published in an unrelated story on Oct. 13, 2022.

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