2016 Toms River Halloween Parade: What You Need To Know

TOMS RIVER, NJ — The 78th Toms River Halloween Parade, sponsored by Toms River Fire Company 1, is set to step off at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31, from the Toms River Shopping Center. It is the second-largest Halloween parade in the world, with 6,000 participants and 100,000 people total between participants and spectators.

Planning to go watch? Here’s how to get the most out of the experience.

Want to avoid the area? Here’s traffic information.

TRAFFIC
Route 166 — Main Street — will be closed to vehicular traffic from Water Street north to Route 37 beginning at 5:45 p.m. Motorists will be forced to use alternate routes until the parade is over, about 10 p.m.
Washington Street also will be closed from Main Street to Hooper Avenue during this time.

PARKING
Parking is not permitted at the Toms River Shopping Center during the parade, as it is used for staging parade participants. Drop-offs for those participating in the parade are permitted but exercise caution and carpool.

The easiest and safest parking spots are at the Ocean County Parking Garage, located at Madison Avenue between Hooper Avenue and Hadley Avenue, and the parking lot at the corner of Irons Street and West Water Street. Both are within easy walking distance of the parade route for most people.

Parade organizers say those who choose to park on side streets off Main Street must be a minimum of 1,000 feet from the corner of the parade.

WANT TO MARCH? REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Registration begins at 8 a.m. at the Toms River Fire Company 1 firehouse at 26 Robbins St. (between Water Street and Washington Street) and continues until 5 p.m.

PARADE ROUTE
Parade leaves from the Toms River Shopping Center, at Main Street and Route 37, proceeds south on Main Street, then east on Washington Street and concludes at Hooper Avenue. Trophies will be distributed at 101 Hooper Avenue, Ocean County Administration Building.

NO CHAIRS EARLY
Parade goers will not be permitted to put out chairs to reserve spots prior to Monday, Oct. 31, due to safety concerns

Parade organizers also offer the following:

ARRIVE EARLY!

Parade organizers recommend arriving about 2 hours prior to the start of the parade. This allows time to get settled and comfortable.

WHEELCHAIR ACCESS
There will be a reserved area for wheelchair viewing, but if you do need this service we ask that you call the firehouse at 732-349-0144 on parade day.

BE FLEXIBLE!
Map out your route, decide where you want to watch the parade. You may bring blankets and chairs to make yourself comfortable. But have a second choice in case you can’t get to see the parade from your first-choice viewing areas. Please do not sit within an intersection of any side street. Vehicles require unobstructed access in the event of an emergency.

SHARE THE SPIRIT!
Some people dress in costume even if they’re not marching. Part of the fun of going to the parade is to share the spirit of celebration. The spirit of Halloween is contagious. Pass it on!

RESTROOMS
Portable restrooms will be throughout the Toms River Shopping Center, on the side of the Toms River BID (218 Main St.) and at the end of the parade.

CHANGES
If any changes to the parade are needed they will be announced on 100.1 FM, 95.9 FM, 92.7 FM and TV 21.

EMERGENCIES
At every intersection of the parade there will be a uniformed emergency personnel for your safety. Remember 911 on your cell phones.

LOST AND FOUND
Any articles that are found should be brought to the Firehouse on Robbins Street, after the parade.

PARENTS
If your children are involved in the parade please remember to pick them up immediately after their division is complete. Recommended pick-up plans for meeting them will be at the Jury Parking lot on Hooper Avenue, next to Toms River High School South.

NEED OTHER INFORMATION?
Call 732-349-0144 or visit www.trfc1.org/halloween.html.

Toms River Halloween Parade 2015, photo by Karen Wall/Patch staff