Flash mobbers surprise grocery shoppers! But what were they promoting?

MEQUON (WITI) -- It was supposed to be a typical shopping day for Gene Bock, little did he know he was in for a big surprise.

"I guess you first think is someone crazy or what`s going on," said Bock.

As people picked out their produce at the Mequon Sendik's, suddenly some who appeared to be shoppers broke out in song.

"I was actually very surprised, yes, it was very interesting. For a minute, I thought I was in the middle of it. So I thought I better scoot off to the side somewhere," said Bock.

As people stopped and stared it became clear, it was a flash mob of opera singers promoting Festa Italiana. They were giving new life to an art form that has long been a part of the Italian community.

"It`s such a big part of our history and our heritage and it really tells a lot of stories about the Italian culture," said Fest Italiana Chairwoman Gina Spang.

Those involved in the flash mob had fun adding a little joy to what's usually just another daily chore.

"It was so fun, it was sneaky, it`s like espionage, you just walk around the store and nobody knows what you`re up to until someone sings or I throw the tomato in people`s faces. It is fun," said opera singer Brandon Howe.

Sue Guttormsen wasn't singing, but she couldn't help but stop by as she never misses her son's performances.

"He did great. I was a nervous mom, but he did a good job, he did a good job. He came home and said I`m doing a  flash mob, a what? Okay, let`s go. So that was pretty exciting," said Guttormsen.

That excitement leads right up to Festa Italiana this weekend. Festa Italiana opens this Friday at 11:30 am at the Summerfest grounds and it runs through Sunday. There will be opera performances all three days of the event.