“Thriller” Dancers Set for Halloween
By Robin Vinci | Editor at October 27, 2023 | 2:15 pm | Print
The Halloween Trick or Treat Safe Zone event is set for Oct. 31 and leading the way will be the New Britain YWCA School of Dance Junior and Senior Company.
This year about a dozen dancers, dressed as zombies, will come alive to perform the Michael Jackson song “Thriller”.
“We started doing this about 8 years or go. We started at Bob Smedley’s house on Commonwealth Avenue and then we’ve done it every year on Metacomet Road in Plainville,” said Christine Kuzia, dance instructor. “It started with a group of 8 girls. Last year we had 24 girls and then added an animation teacher. Now it is every little girls’ dream at the YMCA. They ask when they will be old enough to do Thriller.”
The group starting performing at the New Britain event four years ago.
“This year the girls are 9-12th grade. We are already starting to teach it to seventh and eighth graders so next year we can add them into it,” Kuzia said. “We lost a big group of seniors last year. The girls this year are only in their second year of it. We lost 12 seniors.”
The girls spend a couple of hours doing their own make-up and outfits to make them look authentic.
“We start practicing for this in August,” Kuzia said. “In September and October we go all out rehearsing it.”
The Halloween Safe Zone event will take place from 5 to 7:30 p.m. with a costume parade at 7 p.m. It is free to take part in all the activities.
About 30 locations will give out candy. There will be both trunk or treaters and local businesses participating.
The event will be from Washington Street to Bank Street, Main Street from Columbus Blvd to Chestnut Street. Streets will be closed and police will be present.
There will be a location for a haunted house, photographs, craft items to make and more. There will be at least one DJ and the YWCA Dancers will perform “Thriller” from 5-5:45 p.m. A fire truck and other emergency equipment will be on hand for children to view.
Mayor Erin Stewart and The New Britain Parks and Recreation Department also will present events in front of City Hall. Jaws Pawn will hand out balloons for the children.
Children prizes include gift certificates from Amato’s and more. Adult prizes are gift certificates to the Bees as well as local restaurants.
In the wake of recent events, we ask that children and adults do not dress up as clowns this year.
There will be 9 winners of the costume parade. Also 2 adult prizes will be given. It will begin at 7 p.m. Sting the Bee of the New Britain Bees will lead the parade that will start at Central Park. Stephen Hard, executive director of the Greater New Britain Arts Alliance, will emcee the costume parade.
It is sponsored by the New Britain City Journal and the Downtown District with help from many businesses.
“The Downtown District is happy to host this great City event that has quickly become an iconic production. One that has proven that by utilizing our existing resource of the Downtown, and adding both municipal, business and individual volunteers we can provide our children with a safe and fun place to Trick or Treat,” said Gerry Amodio, downtown district director. “Each year seeing the smiling faces on the children makes all the planning and work extremely rewarding for all of us. And once again proves that New Britain is a wonderful place to call home. We sincerely thank all those who have made this possible to do.”
These include The New Britain Bees, NB Police Union, Dunkin’ Donuts, Sgt. Dave Mocarsky & Lt. John Rodriquez, Jaws Pawn Shop, Ald. Willie Pabon, Ald. Danny Salerno, Ald. Don Naples, Ald. Jamie Giantonio, Mayor Erin E. Stewart, Maria Pietrantuono, an Anonymous Donor, Costco, Roma Bar and Grill, West Side Tavern. AFC Urgent Care, Carlson Funeral Home, Willie Pep’s, Max Pizza II, Pizza Pal, Diamond Brite Car Wash, Catanzaro Meats, Polumbo Jewelers and New Britain McDonald’s.
If you wish to donate, you can send checks to; Downtown/NBCJ Halloween Trick or Treat Safe Zone, c/o New Britain Down Town District, 66 West Main Street, New Britain, CT 06050. Candy donations are also appreciated.
