TOMS RIVER, NJ — The Toms River Volunteer Fire Company 1 is gearing up for Saturday's Halloween Parade, the 87th edition of the parade in downtown Toms River.
People who are planning to march in the parade or enter a float have the opportunity to register early for the parade, with registration forms available Tuesday evening at the fire company's firehouse at 26 Robbins St. from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
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For those who plan to sign up on Saturday, registration is set for 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the firehouse.
There are 11 walking divisions and 14 motorized divisions. See the list at the bottom of this article.
On Saturday, Main Street, Highland Parkway, Washington Street and part of Hooper Avenue will be closed beginning at 5 p.m.
Toms River Fire Company 1 Fire Chief Carl Weingroff reminded those who plan to set up chairs to reserve their spots to watch the parade that chairs cannot be placed before Saturday morning and must be secured so they won't blow away.
Walking divisions line up on Highland Parkway, and motorized divisions line up in the old Foodtown parking lot.
The parade steps off at 7 p.m. and goes from Highland Parkway south on Main Street to Washington Street, and east on Washington to Hooper Avenue, where the parade ends.
Thinking of entering? Here are the possible divisions:
- Best Decorated Baby Carriage or Express Wagon – Children under 4 years of age; in costume and in a carriage or wagon.
- Best Costume, Children younger than age 12
- Best Group in Line — Scouting Organization
- Best Decorated Motorized Float — Scouting Organization
- Best Decorated Motorized Float — Volunteer Fire Company and Volunteer First Aid Squads
- Best Group in Line — Junior Organization, for youth organizations other than Scouts
- Best Decorated Motorized Float — Junior Organization
- Best Group in Costume — Non-Affiliated Family 3 or more; can be family members or not, everyone must be dressed in a consistent theme.
- Best Group in Costume — Non-Affiliated/Family 3 or more Motorized (for floats)
- Best Couple — Any two individuals who wish to march in the parade together in an original/ comical theme.
- Best Appearing Motorized Vehicle— up to 1979
- Best Costume — 12 to 18. This division is for young adults. Costumes may be anything of an appropriate nature.
- Best Decorated Family Pet (walking). Pets must show proof of vaccination and must be leashed throughout the parade. It is YOUR responsibility to clean up after your pets.
- Best Decorated Family Pet (motorized). Pets must be secured on the float.
- Best Costume — 18 and older
- Best Group in Line — Community Organization; entrants may be in uniform or costume. (Examples of community organizations are the Elks, Kiwanis, Rotary Club, Moose Lodge, PTO/PTA School Association, etc.)
- Best Decorated Motorized Float — Community Organization
- Best Group in Line — Commercial Business. Must be in uniform or costume.
- Best Decorated Motorized Float — Commercial/Vo-tech. Entrants must be in costume or company uniform. Floats are expected to be decorated accordingly and made by amateurs.
- Best Appearing Motorized Vehicle — 1980 to Present. Any vehicle that can under its own power travel the parade route. Vehicles must be significantly decorated.
Full rules can be found on the Toms River Halloween Parade Facebook page and questions can be directed to Weingroff at cweingroff@trfire.org.