TOMS RIVER – “They’re heeere…” is what little Carol Anne famously said in “Poltergeist,” as restless spirits invaded her home.
Restless spirits will also be invading Downtown Toms River. This year, Halloween is on a Saturday, so the parade is expected to be larger than life (and unlife).
At 7 p.m. on October 31, the parade will start at 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 87th 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 fire chief Al McDaniel. He has 50 years with Toms River Fire Company #1, which runs the parade, and he is still active in the department, said current Chief Carl Weingroff.
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 by High School South students.
Weingroff told the Toms River Times that the parade will be broadcast on the fire company’s Facebook page as well as the school district’s Youtube channel at TRSTV. Last year, they saw that the parade was being watched by two people in Hawaii and one in China, so the parade truly has gone international.
For more information, visit facebook.com/trfchalloweenparade, call 732-349-0144 or email CWeingroff@TRFire.org
If the parade is postponed, it will be Monday, November 2 at 7 p.m. Because of how many people attend the parade, some towns hold Trick or Treat on the day before the parade. Check with your towns for that information.
Those wanting to set up their chairs must not do so until the day of the parade. The chairs should be secured so that they don’t blow out into the roadway or block the sidewalk.
Join The Parade
If you are interested in shambling down the street with the rest of the ghouls and ghosts, registration has already begun. Come to the firehouse at 26 Robbins Street on Tuesday nights from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. You can also register during Haunted Downtown from 6-9 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.
Since this is the country’s 250th anniversary, patriotic costumes are more than welcome.
