Veasey Goes to Work — as a Zombie
‘Marc Means Business’ initiative leads to Six Flags Fright Fest gig
Over Halloween, many members took their children and grandchildren out trick-or-treating. Some dressed up in costume. Rep. Marc Veasey got a job as a zombie.
The Texas Democrat worked Friday night with the Six Flags Over Texas team during Fright Fest, a local tradition in Arlington, Texas.
He worked with Fright Fest makeup team to get into full costume to be a scare-actor for the fest’s Halloween performance, “The Awakening.”
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“They got me in full makeup and glued a wig onto my scalp,” Veasey said. “I did the whole thing. I got into character and had a really good time.”
He was onstage surrounded by real scare-actors dressed as ghouls and other creatures, and stood on the podium with the other zombies to scare people. But he didn’t spook his 10-year-old son.
“I ended up taking the makeup off before I went home. I didn’t think it would be a good idea to drive home like that,” he said.
Before the park opened, Veasey helped out with cleanup by picking up garbage at the entrance and preparing pizzas for people to buy.
Cars were lining up hours before opening, Veasey said.
As a Fort Worth native, Veasey said he has been to Six Flags a ton of times. The amusement park is located between Fort Worth and Dallas, walking distance from the Dallas Cowboys’ and Texas Rangers’ stadiums.
“It was a place to go see concerts. I think the last concert that I saw there — I’m going to age myself — was Tone Loc. Of course, he was a one-hit wonder. He had ‘Wild Thing,’” the congressman said.
He added that he’s also seen Run DMC at the venue.
In March 2014, Veasey launched the initiative “Marc Means Business,” which allows him to work at large and small businesses in his district.
“You gain a lot of insight from employees by listening to them,” he said. “It’s amazing how small business owners figure out how to stretch a dollar as far as they possibly can. And, you learn a lot from large employers.”
“You run the gamut of what makes employment and jobs what they are in America, and you literally learn something at each and every job that you go to,” he added.
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He worked in baggage handling at American Airlines and with their tarmac crew in August. He’s also delivered packages with the Postal Service and worked in construction, at a tire shop in Dallas, and at taco and barbecue restaurants.
“My goal is to touch as many different industries as I possibly can,” Veasey said. “I wish I would have started it back in 2013 when I first was sworn into office.”