TOMS RIVER – “They’re coming to get you…” is part of an infamous quote from the original “Night Of The Living Dead.” On All Hallow’s Eve, the parade will be coming down Main Street to get you, too.
Preparations are well underway for one of Ocean County’s biggest holiday traditions – the 2025 Toms River Fire Company No. 1 Halloween Parade. The annual event will be at 7 p.m. on Friday, October 31.
The parade steps off from the corner of Main Street and Highland Parkway. The parade will travel south on Main Street (Route 9) turning left onto Washington Street. The parade ends at the intersection of Washington Street and Hooper Avenue.
This will be the 86th time the parade has been held. The parade is known for its elaborate floats, marching bands, costumes, pets, and family-friendly Halloween fun.
This year’s Grand Marshall is ex-chief William Golkiewicz.
Join The Parade
If you are interested in joining the ranks of the foul undead, registration has already begun. Come to the firehouse at 26 Robbins Street on Tuesday nights from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and also Saturday, Oct 25 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. On parade day, registration will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the same location.
If you are taking part, you should be in the Toms River Shopping Center no later than 6 p.m. on the day of the parade. Maps are online to describe how large vehicles like school buses should approach.
Group Leaders are urged to inform all of the participants in your group that they are in a walking or a float division. Let them know the letter and number of the group. Everyone will enter the parade route from Highland Parkway.
More Information
The parade known as the second largest Halloween parade in the world, behind the one in Greenwich Village in New York. Many downtown businesses will be open. There will also be scarecrows on display. Another tradition is that windows of downtown businesses will be painted with spooky imagery.
If the parade is postponed, it will be November 1 at 7 p.m.
For more information, visit facebook.com/trfchalloweenparade, call 732-349-0144 or email CWeingroff@TRFire.org
