With trumpets blaring and drums rolling, about 30 members of the Citrus Heights Community Marching Band filled the Auburn Boulevard Walmart with sounds of Christmas for about half an hour, Saturday, as surprised shoppers looked on.
“I think it’s great that we have a community marching band,” said Walmart shopper Rita Fox, highlighting the diverse ages of band members. “It gives the older people a chance to mingle with the younger people.”
Parading through the isles in a circle inside the store shortly after 11 a.m., band members assembled near the entrance to play several more songs, while many onlookers took video on cellphones.
“It sounds very nice, just a little loud — you know, marching bands in the store,” said Liz Rohan of Citrus Heights, who stopped by to watch the group play tunes like “Silent Night,” and “Jolly ol’ Saint Nicholas.”
<<Read about the Band’s recent performance at another community event: “18th annual Christmas tree lighting draws hundreds”>>
A Walmart manager said most customers “seemed to enjoy it,” adding the flash mob “definitely spreads the holiday joy.”
Similar events have taken place across the country in recent years after videos of different groups surprising shoppers have gone viral online, with others following with their own versions of the seasonal singing-surprise.
The Citrus Heights Community Marching Band is an all-volunteer group sponsored by the City of Citrus Heights and the Sunrise Recreation & Park District.
