Toms River North Students Win Grunins' Parade Float Challenge

The Toms River High School North Nautical Star Theatre Company will be parading down Main Street on Halloween on a float that’s one part homage to board games and one part hometown proud, after the group won the Engage Toms River Halloween Parade Challenge, the school district announced Thursday.

The students’ float design, “TRopoly, A Game Steeped in Tradition,” earned the most votes from the community to win the challenge, presented by the Jay and Linda Grunin Foundation as one of its ongoing efforts to improve the township and its sense of community through the arts, education and health care.

“We looked at a Monopoly board and thought, ’Hhow can we could turn an iconic board game into a reality rich with tradition?” said Alec Addalia, chief designer.

The next step is populating the board with various local charities, businesses, community leaders and more -- and to do so, the students are turning to the community for help and input. Sometime on Thursday, Oct. 8, a list of nominees will be released for the various spots on the board, and the community will be able to vote. Check the foundation’s blog here for details. Voting will close at 8 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 11.

“The spots include local charities, businesses, inspiring teachers, dedicated community leaders, businesses/groups that further the arts, restaurants, specialty food stores, and favorite places to have fun in Toms River,” the group said.

Some staples of the town were automatically added to the board, including every high school in the township, Ocean County College, the Ocean County Library, the courthouse and Cattus Island Park, among others.

The foundation’s prize includes a $5,000 materials budget to construct the float, with up to 160 hours of assistance from the Toms River Artists Community, and a $10,000 prize the students will receive on Halloween at the parade.

“The theatre company is extremely proud to have been selected to build this float,” said Carolyn Little, the theatre club’s director. “Our kids are very talented and we could not be more proud of the work that they have accomplished thus far. We cannot wait to showcase their time and effort on October 31!”