TOMS RIVER – Ghosts and ghouls will descend upon downtown Toms River, but it’s nothing to be scared of. You won’t have anything to worry about if you take the following information to heart.
As the second largest Halloween parade in the world, it is expected to have 6,000 participants and 100,000 viewers, according to Toms River Fire Company No. 1, which has been in charge of it.
The parade will be held on Oct. 31 at 7 p.m., with a postponement date of Nov. 1 if needed.
Route 9 (also known as Main Street or Route 166) and Highland Avenue will be shut down at 4:45 p.m.
The parade route will start at Highland Parkway’s intersection with Route 9 and head south. It will turn left onto Washington Avenue, ending at the intersection with Hooper Avenue.
The parade’s grand marshal will be Joseph Placente, who first attended the parade in 1937. He served in the U.S. military as an airborne radio operator on B-29s stateside, and then on ships during Korea. He has been a member of Fire Company No. 2 since 1958, honored in 1968 as New Jersey Fireman of the Year for his saving another’s life. He entered the New Jersey Senior Olympics at age 65 and is known for carrying the American flag to the finish line in local 5K races.
To keep up to date, visit Facebook.com/TRFCHalloweenParade or TRFC1.org/Halloween.
[adrotate banner="278"]If You Are Part Of The Parade
There will be some changes from previous years for those participating in the parade. All participants must be at the Toms River Shopping Center (the intersection of Route 9 and Route 37) by 6 p.m.
There will be no staging in the front of the shopping center, said parade chairman Ken Beck, a firefighter with Co. 1.
Walkers will be staged on Highland Parkway, facing Route 9.
The bands will be dropped off behind the shopping center, not in front. Staff will be facilitating how the school buses drop the bands off and putting them in the correct marching order.
Participants must register in person at the firehouse on Robbins Street, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration is free, but donations are welcome.
There are rumble strips on Route 9, so walkers should be careful while they walk.
Parents are encouraged to pick up their children at the front of the Ocean County Administration Building, 101 Hooper Avenue, at the corner of Washington Street, where the parade terminates.
If You Are Watching The Parade
For viewers, very little has changed for this year.
Bring blankets and chairs if you can. However, it’s a good idea to arrive about two hours early to get settled. But, if you can’t sit where you intended, be flexible and have a back-up plan.
People will not be allowed to sit in intersections of side streets, because emergency vehicles will need access.
Be mindful of the weather and dress appropriately.
The best place for parking might be the garage located at Madison Avenue between Hooper and Hadley avenues. It is free. Any vehicles parking on side streets must be 1,000 feet off the corner.
For those requiring wheelchair access, please call the firehouse at (732) 349-0144.
Portable restrooms will be downtown.
