TOMS RIVER – What can you expect when you go to the Halloween parade in Toms River? No matter what you think you might see there, nothing will prepare you for the surprises in store.
The streets are flanked with people ready to see the 2nd largest Halloween parade in the country, put on by Toms River Fire Company No. 1. Some of the audience has been waiting for an hour or more.
The weather was chilly but not as windy as was expected, considering the nor’easter that blew through earlier in the week. People kept warm with pizza, soft pretzels, and perhaps an alcoholic beverage.
The windows of the shops were covered in paintings of the macabre by High School South students. Scarecrows are attached to every pole, as part of a competition held by the Downtown Business Improvement District.
The parade is famous around these parts, but you’ll always find people who are here for the first time.
For example, Marianne Donaue of Berkeley and Lucille Donaue of Asbury Park. They were brought here for their first time by their sister, Patty Devin of Jackson. Patty’s first time at the parade was last year.
“The atmosphere is so great,” said Patty, who was dressed as a teabag. “I was blown away. The whole parade is awesome.”
“She talked it up so much” that they had to come check it out, said Marianne, who put the letter “J” on her walker and went as a “jaywalker.”
Even before it started the sisters liked the vibe.
“I think it’s wonderful that the whole town gets together,” Lucille the witch said.
Chris and Toniann Gully – and their son, also named Chris – came from Brick, dressed as Lord of the Rings characters. They didn’t know what to expect.
The elder Chris’s mother, Patricia, said she used to take him when he was little, but he doesn’t remember that now.
It’s safe to say that it was a night they would remember for a long, long time.
Local fire companies and other first responders decorated their vehicles for the parade, joining a Barnegat school bus and several businesses.
The Spyder Ryders took an early spot in the parade, while other people brought cars almost as big as monster trucks.
Scouts and other groups decked out flatbeds in decorations ranging from the silly to the shocking.
High school and middle school bands shambled their way down the street, playing holiday favorites like the “Ghostbusters” theme. The Central Regional band took a break from “Thriller” to scream at the crowd, and then went right back to playing.
When they got to the bandstand, it was time to show off. Whatever their theme was got kicked into high gear – literally in the case of a soccer team who pulled kids from the crowd and started a pick-up game in the street.
As if this was the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, Santa Claus was waving to the crowd from his sleigh.
A pro wrestling match broke out. A scout sword fight. A dance of Lego figures. Choreographed library carts. Even an impromptu fight between an audience member dressed as Mr. Freeze and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office super hero float.
All of this was a surprise for the people watching, and it was all something to remember.
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