Manchester Halloween Lovers Can Have Their Treats And The Parade, Too

If you lived in Manchester growing up, there was always a decision to make: Go trick-or-treating on Halloween, or go to the Toms River Halloween parade.

Now, Manchester families no longer have to make that choice. If you’ve always wanted to go watch -- or even march -- this is your reminder: the parade isn’t strictly on Halloween any longer.

The parade, sponsored by Toms River Fire Company 1, the second-largest Halloween parade in the world, is this Saturday. This year marks 95 years since the parade was first held in 1919, and it’s the second year of building a new tradition: Under an agreement worked out a couple of years ago, the parade is now held on the Saturday prior to Halloween. While the parade was first held 95 years ago, it is marking its 76th annual marching, as the parade stopped from 1922 and wasn’t held again until 1933. It also was disrupted in 2012 by Superstorm Sandy.

There is still time to register but you must do so in person at the fire house on Robbins Street (between Water and Washington streets) in Toms River. Registration is free but donations -- this is a fundraiser for the fire company -- are recommended.

The parade steps off at 7 p.m.; all marchers must be in place by 6 p.m. If the parade is postponed, it will be held Monday, Oct. 27.

For further information visit the fire company’s website, here.

How do you feel about the parade having been moved to Saturday? Did you go last year? Did you like it better or not? Tell us in the comments below!

(PHOTO: A float from the 2013 Toms River Halloween Parade, courtesy of Toms River Fire Company 1.)