Toms River celebrates NJ’s biggest Halloween parade
The 86th annual event is said to be the second-largest Halloween parade behind the annual parade held in New York City.
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Toms River doesn’t mess around when it comes to Halloween. Not only does it host New Jersey’s largest Halloween parade, it’s said to be the second-largest in the world.
“We've done this every year, from the late 1940s until the current time,” said Kiwanis Club of Greater Toms River chairman Marc S. Galella. “It's a big deal for the town.”
Before the parade began, the Toms River High School South art program got the town into the holiday spirit, painting spooky art on the windows of local shops.
Trick or treating in town isn’t until Saturday - allowing the youngest residents the chance to join the parade. This event’s impact has spread overseas.
“I have somebody actually flying in from England this year,” said Toms River Fire Company 1 Assistant Chief Carl Weingroff. “I think the oldest in line right now is 86, and the youngest is 1 month old. So, it's an everyone parade, right? It's not just the kids' parade anymore.”
It’s become a labor of love for Toms River Fire Company 1.
“Without the guys, the ladies and everyone from the firehouse, we wouldn't be able to do the parade,” said Weingroff. “I'm already looking for stuff for next year.”
This is the 86th year Toms River has held the parade.
