Wadsworth Scare on the Square returns Saturday

WADSWORTH — More than 370 zombies are expected to take over downtown Wadsworth Saturday as Scare on the Square returns for its annual Halloween celebration. A total of 373 people have registered for the event's Zombie Thriller Dance, up from roughly 250 to 270 participants last year, according to Kim Sulek of Northeast Ohio Dance. "It started as just a flash mob, but now it's become this thing that everyone expects," Sulek said. Alex and Lori McIlvaine started the event 13 years ago to bring people to downtown Wadsworth, Sulek said. Northeast Ohio Dance has taken on a larger role in organizing the zombie portion this year as the McIlvaines step back. Over the years, the dance has expanded from a smaller performance to four groups positioned at different downtown locations. Participants will dance toward the center before turning onto another street, with eight lead characters, a Michael and an Ola for each group, helping lead the performance. Participants have been practicing since September. They must attend practices before participating and use makeup rather than masks for their zombie costumes. The event drew just under 15,000 people downtown last year, Sulek said. Scare on the Square also offers family activities throughout the afternoon. Trick-or-treating will run from 3:30-5:30 p.m., with downtown businesses handing out candy. Other activities include stilt walkers, circus performers, a bounce house and balloon artists. The Thriller performance will feature four zombie groups dancing through downtown before a costume contest and dance party. Costume prizes will be awarded in categories including best group, best duo or trio, funniest, scariest and most original. Five additional prizes will be awarded to youth participants. Sulek said people travel from communities throughout Northeast Ohio to participate, including Stow, Hudson, Barberton and Norton. "It's nice to hear that people are excited to drive that distance to be a part of this," she said. The event also has become a community project for Northeast Ohio Dance. Students and families associated with the studio have donated candy and other items for the celebration. "It made perfect sense for the dance studio downtown to take over the dance aspect of it," Sulek said. "This is how we're helping get back into the community and give back to the community." Scare on the Square will take place Saturday in downtown Wadsworth. A zombie "Dead Display" from 6 to 7 p.m. The Wadsworth Thriller will begin at 7 p.m. Downtown streets will be closed from 3:30-7:45 p.m. Contact Brooke Adams at 440-822-8373 or badams@medina-gazette.com.