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By Jennifer McDaniels

For the Enterprise

The Harlan County High School dance team thrilled the audience (pun intended) during Saturday’s downtown Harlan Vintage Fall Festival with their rendition of the iconic Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” dance that has become a trending Halloween activity in towns across the nation.

A big crowd had already gathered on First Street and around the courthouse gazebo for such fall festival activities as a cake walk, old-fashioned carnival games, vending and craft booths, costume contest, and a ghost walk when it was time for the dance team, in all their uniformed zombie attire, to lead Harlan’s version of the “Thriller” dance. When it was time for them to perform, sidewalks became even more packed with people of all ages wanting to video and get a glimpse of the beautiful dead starting to walk in their masquerade, referring to the popular lyrics of the disco-funk 80s hit that has become a Halloween playlist staple.

The dance team, led by Lisa Layne, has a reputation for the high-dynamic enthusiasm members bring to the football field and basketball court and brought the same energy to downtown.

“The Harlan County High School dance team did an absolutely incredible job in bringing the ‘Thriller’ dance to the downtown Harlan Vintage Fall Festival,” said Harlan Tourism director Brandon Pennington. “The vibe of the festival that we are aiming for is vintage, autumnal excellence, and also spooky. The Harlan County High School dance team brought so much fun to the event by dressing up and performing the dance among all of the attendees and vendors.

Layne said her team, which consists of 21 members this year, freshmen through seniors, is passionate about creating spirited atmospheres where fun and excitement can be experienced to the fullest.                     

“They love to perform hip hop, pom, and game day routines,” said Layne, who came on board as the dance team assistant coach in 2017 and then as head coach in 2022. “They are always excited to try new material. They work hard and love a challenge. We have an outstanding group of seniors this year who have very strong leadership skills.”

The team also competes in various competitions throughout the year with their season going year-round and having only about four weeks off during the spring.

“Being a member of the Harlan County Dance Team not only allows the girls to show off their dance skills and talent, but it instills teamwork, self-confidence and pushes them to be the absolute best version of themselves,” Layne said. “They have certain rules and responsibilities that they must follow and adhere to in order for them to be elected and remain a team member.

Senior member Olivia Freeman said being a dance team member has taught her to have confidence in herself and how to be a good role model, not only to her teammates but to everyone who watches her perform.

Alexis Freeman, another dance team senior, said her involvement over the past four years had instilled within her a strong sense of camaraderie.

“I enjoy being on the dance team because over the past four years, it has become my second family and a sport I love with my whole heart,” Freeman said. “It’s helped me with so many different things and led me to opportunities and experiences I didn’t know I would ever get.”

Layne said she and her team were honored to have been asked to lead the “Thriller” community dance fest, which the Appalachian Arts & Culture Organization facilitated.

“We love community involvement and take advantage of available opportunities to promote Harlan County High School, as well as the dance team in a positive way,” Layne said.

Pennington said he considered Saturday’s downtown Harlan Vintage Fall Festival a huge success because of people throughout the community, like the Harlan County High School dance team, who were eager to lend their time and talents to make some autumn magic happen beneath the canopy of amber-tinted party lights that hung above First Street.