Texarkana Chamber of Commerce's second Cash Mob convened at State Line's Holiday Bowl on Thursday.
The Cash Mob event, which the Chamber does periodically, is based on the flash mob. However in this case, shoppers convene on a location prepared to spend money. The business is revealed at the last minute and then the shoppers go do their thing.
In this case, attendees availed themselves of the attractions of Holiday Bowl, starting out with a couple of rounds of Laser tag, in which they divided into red and green teams, entered a space age two-tiered arena and sallied forth to score, to determine who was the best space warrior of all.
Through the darkness, haze and pulsating music, they stalked each other, scoring electronic hits, dashing back and forth, seeking cover when an "enemy" warrior drew a bead on them.
"I just wanted to run and hide behind something," said Janelle Williamson, sales person with KTBS Channel 3. "There were lights and lasers and I wasn't sure what to do at first. But I tried it, love it and recommend it to anyone. I think each game lasts just long enough for a player to get exhausted."
Another laser tagger, Cody Larose of Cable One/Sparklight, was a bit of a laser tag veteran, but it had been awhile.
"I've only played laser tag once before, when I was 12, back in New York," he said. "I think the arena was a bit more elaborate than that one, with two levels and such. Also, last time I played, it was with a bunch of kids. I've never played with a bunch of adults before."
But Larose found that laser tag was something an adult could fully embrace, and that Holiday Bowl was a good choice for the Cash Mob.
"It was a good place, a big enough place to handle a storming of customers," he said. "I look forward to these Cash Mobs. The Chamber does a good job."
Natalie Haywood, Chamber director of events and communications, said the co-ed nature of bowling was part of the reason Holiday Bowl was chosen. As she prepared to hit the lanes, she reflected on the setting.
"This place worked great. It has male and female appeal, stuff in the $10 to $20 range, which is what we are aiming for. And it is a place where adults could unwind and have fun," she said. "I've played their laser tag arena before, did it for my 30th birthday in January. Oh, so fun. I'm really competitive, so this was a good way to express that side of me."