Jan Peterson

For the News-Leader

Anne Walls says she and her husband, Andy, had no idea what they were doing when they decided a few years ago to block off a couple of blocks of Commercial Street so their dance students could perform to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”

But something interesting happened that first year. A few hours before the scheduled performance, Walls looked outside and saw a few people waiting. Cool, she thought. But every time she poked her head out the door of the Savoy Ballroom, which she and her husband own, the crowd was larger … “until there were over 2,000 people on the street and we were like, holy crap! We were blown away. We didn’t have the sound system. We didn’t really have room in the street to dance because there were so many people. We thought it would be family members. Afterward, we were, huh, this is a thing,” Walls says with a laugh.

Yes, it is a thing. On Oct. 22, Commercial Street will again be awash in zombies as Thriller on C-Street — Epidemic VII and the Dr. Deadalous Traveling Zombie Show hit the street.

The celebration begins with a 4 p.m. kid-friendly show, in which less-scary zombies dance to “Thriller.” The fun continues with the Dr. Deadalous Traveling Zombie Show. Walls describes it as a steampunk, vintage zombie circus act. “It’s really bad circus acts because we’re zombies,” she says, offering examples of how the clumsy undead might not be well suited to circus life. “The tightrope walker gets hung by her own rope … it’s really bad, dark humor. This year we’ve got some fire juggling. I’m hoping no one catches fire this year. One did last year — but no one was injured,” she says.

There also will be gory games to play. For a quarter a play, folks can take a shot at tossing a hoop on a skeleton hand sticking out of a hay bale or popping balloons full of blood, for example.

The main performance hits the street at 7 p.m. Walls says she expects anywhere from 160 to 200 zombie performers to participate this year. Participants represent all age groups and abilities. “We have three generations of family, people with disabilities … they all just love it,” she says.

The celebration will be capped with Dr. Deadalous’ Masque Macabre at the Savoy, where folks can meet the cast of characters, get photos, participate in a costume contest and enjoy beverages and food from Touch and Flame.

While the after-party always raises money for charity, this year the money will go to the American Cancer Society for particularly poignant reason for the Wallses and the performers.

Shortly after last year’s event, they lost one of their own — Vicky Stoops — to cancer.

“It’s a family. It really is,” Walls says. “Everyone was really affected by her death. She was the first one we lost.”

Walls says she really doesn’t know how many people to expect to line Commercial Street this year, but suspects it might be crowded.

“It was kind of slow to get started, but the Facebook page has blown up bigger than ever, with 2,000 interested and 600 shares. I’ve never seen anything like this,” she says.

WANT TO GO?

What: Thriller on C-Street — Epidemic VII and Dr. Deadalous’ Masque Macabre

When: Saturday. Kid-friendly performance at 4 p.m., with games and music follow; 7 p.m., Dr. Deadalous Traveling Zombie Show; 7:30 p.m., Thriller on C-Street Zombie Corps; 8 p.m., Dr. Deadalous’ Masque Macabre

Where: Performances on Commercial Street, between Robberson and Boonville avenues; Masque Macabre at Savoy Ballroom, 224 E. Commercial St.

Cost: Performances and C-Street fun are free; VIP tickets, available in advance, are $10 for 4 p.m. show. The 7 p.m. show is sold out. Tickets for the Masque Macabre are $5 (cash only at the door); a portion of proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society.

Info: www.facebook.com/ThrilleronCStreet/ or 417-869-6789