Little zombies invaded Zilker Park this morning.
Over a hundred children gathered for a flash mob as part of National Park and Recreation Month. Children were called to perform the dance from Michael Jackson's Thriller music video for submission in a contest. The National Recreation and Parks Association invited cities to submit a video of their best flash mob.
Event organizer Russell Wiseman thinks Austin might have this contest in the bag. Wiseman, manager of the Daugherty Arts Center, was surprised by the turn out.
"We had far more than we anticipate," he said, "and people went to You Tube to learn the choreography weeks ago and I got a bunch of dancers that already know the steps. I'm impressed."
Winner of the Rock Your Park contest will be announced in August and the winning video will be featured on the NRPA website.
This isn't the first time the city has hosted a Thriller flash mob. In 2008, Austin set the Guinness World Recordfor largest Thriller flash mob, led by then-Mayor Will Wynn.
Coincidentally, the famous red leather jacket worn by Michael Jackson in the music video will be on display at the Long Center for Performing Arts beginning July 27. The jacket was bought by Austin businessman Milton Verret for 1.8 million at auction. He plans to send the jacket on tour to raise money for children charities.