TOMS RIVER – The question is asked in the weeks before Trick or Treat. The answer is often a pop culture character that you really like. Sometimes it’s a pun. Sometimes it’s the creepiest thing you can think of.
The imagination of local residents created a cast of characters marching through downtown Toms River for the second largest Halloween parade in the country.
Scores of zombies, monsters, witches, and weirdos shambled down the street. They were joined by marching bands, first responders, and car clubs.
Lizz Codner, of Beachwood, made the majority of her own costume, which has grown over time to become known as the Angel of Death. The leatherwork, masks, and beadwork were home-made, while some of the other accoutrements were store-bought.
“I haven’t been in the parade since band front in 2001,” she said.
The costume usually gets worn to Renaissance Faires but since she missed it this year, she decided that taking it for a stroll at the Halloween parade was the next best thing. This means she’ll be part of the tradition again.
Adam Greenberg, 8, of Beachwood was dressed as the Titanic because that’s a subject that fascinates him. Capt. John Edward Smith was the captain of the fateful trip, and Greenberg knew all about the tragedy.
He said “I went Trick or Treating last night. Bro, I was the star of the show!”
Even the people on the sidelines got in on the act. Viewers (and their dogs) were disguised as disgusting beasts or silly cartoons.
One group had three themes: werewolf and Little Red Riding Hood, Daphne and Velma, and the Grim Reaper and the Queen of the Dead.
The businesses on the side of the road got in on the action, with some offering specials for the night. There were people selling glowsticks and other memorabilia. One person was even doing tarot readings.
They were all there to watch the people going by – from Joseph Placente, who dresses in patriotic clothing and leads off local parades with a flag – to Ms. Liberty, Sondra Fortunato, the local icon whose car is decorated all the time, making every day a parade.
Az Nyhus and his family hand carved dozens of pumpkins and had them light up on a trailer. They were decorated to resemble Marvel characters and also Halloween favorites like Frank-N-Furter from “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”
They came down from Old Bridge to be in the parade. He said they used to come as a Scout division but this time it’s in the Family division.
“The most fun is seeing the little kids watching and pointing out characters they know,” he said. “They love it.”
They were one of many people who came from out of town.
Barnegat School District drivers and bus aides decorated one of their busses for the drive down Main Street.
“I’ve been coming here since I was little,” said Melissa Malia. “We want to make people laugh and smile.”
Scout troops dressed as Vikings, Barbies, Jedi and cars…and people’s cars also got into the act. Classic cars were dressed from the goofy to the macabre.
Bob Onofrietti drove his 1941 Ford convertible in the parade for the first time. He said that he first debuted the car at a show downtown a while back and took home a trophy. That made him want to show it off some more, and the parade is a perfect opportunity to do so.
Many of the floats, in fact, were ways to bring attention to an organization or business. One company even had a live band playing.
The Field of Dreams Hawks Football and Cheer had a float where the athletes waved to the crowd from a hay ride.
Steve Geiger, the director of the group, said that both teams are inclusive, ages 5-32 for football and 5-36 for cheer. All of them have a variety of abilities.
The parade was a good way to get the word out about their organization, let the participants show their pride, and just have a good time, he said.
Ocean County College students went “Under The Sea” in their float as they dressed as fish and other friends.
Ilene Cohen, executive director of athletics for OCC, said that the “Sea you at Ocean” theme was to get word out about the college. But it was also a way to form camaraderie after Covid with the athletes on board.
Girl Scout Troop 77 turned a trailer into the bedroom of Wednesday Addams and her roommate Enid Sinclair from the new show “Wednesday.”
A few other vehicles were full of Jack Skellington, Beetlejuice, and other Tim Burton-inspired creations. Perhaps it was because those kind of shows take horror and make it fun.
As Kathy Bowens drew “Stabbin’ Wagon” on her car’s windows, Joe Bowens said the Halloween parade is “fun for kids and fun for us because we’re big kids.”
We need this cathartic release, to be scared of something on the screen while we take a break from the real world.
“It’s also to ease tensions of the real bad things going on around us,” he said.
