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There aren’t many songs as synonymous with Halloween as Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” and the group that re-creates the dance from the famous “Thriller” video at the Santa Barbara Courthouse each year ends the event with a finale dance at Neverland Ranch, Jackson’s former home on Figueroa Mountain Road.

Every year World Dance for Humanity organizes the iconic dance anthem at the courthouse’s Sunken Gardens to coincide with “Thrill the World,” the simultaneous participation of dancers at hundreds of locations around the world.

“Thriller 2018” on Oct. 27 will help raise money for the group’s Rwanda Education Fund. The goal is to raise $40,000 each year, said Janet Reineck, executive director of World Dance for Humanity.

This year’s events in the Santa Ynez Valley will be Oct. 28 at several locations, including at wineries and Neverland’s gate.

“We help with subsidizing the cost of education, and we can send 170 students to high school and college next year through the education fund. On a local scale, we also raise money for the Westside Boys & Girls Club, so kids have a place they can go after-school,” said Reineck.

“To know that we are able to help so many here and in Rwanda makes it all the more meaningful. I am so proud to be a part of World Dance,” said Juanita Johnson.

WDFH also organizes flash mob events in the area along with “Thrill the World.”

“You don’t have to be a ‘Thriller’ fan or even a Michael Jackson fan. It’s about a global community moving at once and connecting to each other internationally,” said Reineck.

While the five-week practice sessions for “Thriller 2018” started Sept. 22, Reineck said everyone is welcome to participate on Oct. 27 at the Sunken Garden. There is a suggested one-time donation of $40 for lessons. Reineck encouraged all zombies to get sponsored to dance by family and friends so that more money can be raised. Prizes will be given to the top fundraising zombies.

World Dance has added more dates to “Thriller 2018,” including an Oct. 20 event in Ojai which coincides with the annual Ojai Day celebration.

“We also love dancing up in the Santa Ynez Valley, and culminate our events with a final performance in front of Neverland Ranch,” Reineck said.

For more information on “Thriller 2018” events or to participate as a zombie, go to worlddanceforhumanity.org/thriller-2018/.

FYI

The “Thriller 2018” practice schedule continues into the week of October 22. Rehearsal times and locations are:

Saturdays, 10:15 to 11 a.m. – Santa Barbara Dance Center, 127 W. Canon Perdido.

Tuesdays, 7 to 7:30 p.m. – Santa Barbara Dance Center.

Wednesdays, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. – Alameda Park at Garden and Micheltorena streets by Kids World.

Fridays, 5:15 to 6 p.m. – Montecito YMCA.

Fridays, 5:00 to 6:00pm and Saturday 11:30 to 12:30pm – Stuart C. Gildred Family YMCA

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For some fairgoers the entertainment, fair food, and live entertainment make the Santa Barbara County Fair memorable, but for others it’s all about the rides. The Santa Barbara County Fair runs July 11-15, and this year Helm and Sons Amusements will bring a number of new rides, including some that have a special connection to Santa Barbara County.

Several rides from Santa Ynez Valley’s Neverland Ranch—the property once owned by pop singer Michael Jackson, who died June 25, 2009—will once again entertain audiences. According to Helm and Sons Amusements vice president, Corey Oakley, there will be three rides from Neverland: the Zipper, the Lolli Swing, and the Spyder.

The rides have a long history with Helm and Sons. It started when the grandfather of current owner Davy Helm owned a ride called The Wave Swinger. Michael Jackson attended an event where the ride appeared and fell in love with it, Oakley said. He asked the elder Helm if he could buy it. Instead Jackson was offered a lease.

After that arrangement, Helm and Sons had responsibility for procuring and upkeep of rides at Neverland under a non-disclosure agreement that expired upon Jackson’s passing.

The amusement operator owns six rides from Neverland and Oakley said a lot of people enjoy the significance of enjoying a ride that once was a part of the Neverland Ranch.

In all, Helm and Sons will have 32 rides and attractions at the Santa Barbara County Fair.

New rides include a kiddie roller coaster called the Little Dipper; a kiddie ride called the Krazy Train, made of fire truck, semis replicas; and the Himalaya, which Oakely called a super spectacular ride.

Oakley said that Helm and Sons really wants to focus on atmosphere. “We’re trying to be a little different and try to create a theme park atmosphere,” he said. That even extends to having continuity in the music played at each ride.

There will be an old school Band Organ in the kids’ area for ambience. In the main carnival area, you can also catch a performance by the Royal Circus, a family of five performers who present a circus-type show with a high wire act, comedy, and magic. The show lasts 20-25 minutes and is free.

They’ll also add to that ambience with various passive experiences that invite visitors to sit back and enjoy. An example of that includes the Dancing Waters attraction, something he likens to a miniature version of the dancing fountains at The Bellagio in Las Vegas. Visitors can sit back and watch the water dance to music.

Oakley said that Helm and Sons tries to incorporate changes like these each year to keep things fresh and make sure visitors enjoy their time at the Fair. “We always need to stay a step ahead,” Oakley said.

For more information, visit www.santamariafairpark.com or Like us on Facebook.

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