By Ellen Hill for Lithgow Tourism Photos: David Hill and Ben Pearse
Lithgow Main St will be overrun with freaky fiends, ghouls, zombies and loveable fantasy characters when internationally renowned King of Pop impersonator Jason Jackson leads a public dance-off at Lithgow Halloween `16.
The national record bid for the greatest number of costumed people to dance to the song Thriller will be a highlight of the annual community festival on October 29 and further the town’s emergence as a tourist destination.
Organised and hosted by Lithgow City Council, with support from local sponsors including Lithgow McDonald’s, Centennial Coal, Energy Australia, Village Voice and Lithgow Workies, the event will again feature spectacular Vivid-style lighting displays and spooky decorations. The main shopping area will be transformed into a fun-filled pedestrian zone with themed precincts, non-stop entertainment and a community Trick or Treat activity for children.
The Thriller record attempt will be held at 8.30pm at the Main Stage, led by Michael Jackson impersonator Jason Jackson, who will also wow festival goers with a spectacular performance at 7.30pm featuring 10 dazzling costume changes.
With new surprises and a creepy Halloween theme, he promised fans who attended last year they “ain’t seen nothin’ yet’’.
Jackson said the crowd’s response to his performance last year was overwhelming. Despite performing as a Michael Jackson impersonator at a range of venues and events since 1990, “I had never experienced that kind of thing before where everyone was in costume’’, he said “It was amazing to feel the community spirit. I’m excited.’’
A singer/songwriter in his own right, Jason Jackson discovered the music of Michael Jackson as a gravely ill child battling cancer when the song Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough struck a chord with him and became his inspiration.
Lithgow City Council Tourism Manager Kellie Barrow encouraged everyone to take part in the Australian record-breaking dance-off and dress in Halloween costume as a ghoulish zombie, monster, freaky vampire, fantasy character or loveable fairytale personality, goblin or fairy.
“Costumes don’t have to be expensive. In fact, many of our shops in the CBD are stocked with affordable costume items and shops are beginning to install their window displays so there’s plenty of inspiration in town.’’
As in previous years, the family-friendly Lithgow Halloween `16 will include something for everyone, with a range of free community events in public spaces through to ticketed events at private venues.
Ms Barrow recommended visitors stay overnight in the area to fully explore the surprisingly diverse range of scenery, dining options and activities available in Lithgow and surrounds including the Back to Hartley event at Hartley Historic Site on the way to Sydney on Sunday, October 30.
Go to www.halloween.lithgow.com for more information and Jason Jackson’s Thriller tutorial video to practice the dance before the record-breaking event.
Lithgow Tourism is a commercial client of Deep Hill Media and Headline Publicity for the Lithgow Halloween `16 event
