Meagan Waddell on Thriller coming back to the streets of La Crescent in city’s biggest zombie dance yet

It’s been 40 years since the release of Michael Jackson’s Thriller.

Meagan Waddell joined La Crosse Talk PM for a bit Thursday to talk about the fifth annual Thriller Parade on the streets of La Crescent — a sort of tribute to that iconic video, which will take place Oct. 29.

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It’s not exactly a recreation — not yet — but Waddell will lead zombies down the street, reenacting parts of the video.

And she hinted on the show this could likely be the biggest year yet. The next rehearsal — anyone can come — is set for 2 p.m. Sunday in the La Crescent Fire Department parking lot.

“Based on the first coupe rehearsals that we’ve already had, we have had a little over 50,” Waddell said. “So, we’re looking forward to the largest crew of dancing zombies.”

Last year, they had about 30 zombies in the streets.

Waddell invites anyone of all ages to come take part. She said there have been a couple of 70-year-old zombies in the streets. And, she’s still looking for that person who can dance like Michael Jackson, so they can recreate even more of the video.

Zombies aside, the Thriller Parade is also a great way to have fun, meet people and — for probably a lot of kids — learn, not just what Thriller was, but maybe that, in the 80s, people watched a station called MTV that only played music videos.

Waddell said some kids absolutely know the song, love Michael Jackson and are excited to be a zombie. And others learn a little about 80s culture.

“I also have the kids who have never seen the video, never heard the song. It was just something that mom or dad wanted to do with them as a family bonding experience. Then I send them home with the homework of, ‘Go home, watch the video, listen to the song, and come back next week.'”

For more info, check out the Thriller parade Facebook page.