This flashy group of Portland mall-walkers puts neon pep into step

The Food Court 5000 loop along each floor of the Lloyd Center twice on Sunday, April 26, 2026 in Portland, Ore. Celeste Noche for NPR hide caption toggle caption Celeste Noche for NPR Mall walking is often seen as the domain of senior citizens who want a level, indoor path to get their steps in. But in Portland, Oregon, a group of all ages is creating a different kind of mall walk. They strap on retro spandex and sweatbands, blast 80s music, and essentially put on a high-viz, high-cardio parade through the mall that's part exercise … part performance art. The group – which meets weekly – is known as the Food Court 5000 . The need for movement meets an empty mall A little over a year ago, Krista Catwood got a new office job. She was happy, but also spending a lot of time sitting. " It's like, 'Okay, we need to figure out how to get movement into my life,'" Catwood remembered. And as a former burlesque performer and occasional event producer, she knew it had to be fun. "Costumes work for me, ridiculous works for me, community works for me. And I knew there had to be some sort of a social accountability piece involving other folks – otherwise I could make a lot of excuses and not show up." The Food Court 5000 walk along the top floor of the Lloyd Center. Celeste Noche for NPR hide caption toggle caption Celeste Noche for NPR The Food Court 5000 loop along each floor of the Lloyd Center twice on Sunday, April 26, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. …