Creating fake fire walk for luau?

I'm trying to figure out how I can create a fake fire walk for a luau. It has to be fake since it'll be in the high school cafeteria (it's the banquet for our band program - last year the theme was Candyland). We'd like to have the kids walk on the "hot coals" as they go & get their awards.

I was thinking that some foam (1" thick or so) covered with a shiny fabric would work - with some string lights worked in too. Maybe with torn bits of foam glued on to it so it would be dimensional. My thoughts were that the foam would protect the lights. I'm open to suggestions... Thanks!