Don't Put Your Chairs Out Early For Toms River Halloween Parade: Police

TOMS RIVER, NJ — If you've lived in Ocean County more than a couple of years, there are some telling signs that Halloween is near: Mums in full bloom. Jack-o-lanterns on the porches.

And plastic lawn chairs lining Main Street in Toms River for the annual Halloween parade.

People reserving spots along the route of the parade, sponsored by Toms River Fire Company 1, has long been a tradition. Some years people began reserving their spaces as much as two weeks ahead of the parade. But this year, the Toms River Police Department is telling people not to do it.

"Per the Toms River Police Department's request there will be NO chairs allowed on the parade route till Monday morning the day of the parade due to safety concerns," Matthew Duell, the fire company's parade chairman, said in a post on Facebook. "Any chairs placed on the sidewalks before that will possibly be taken off the route and confiscated by Toms River Police Department."

The parade, which marches down Main Street to Washington Street, is scheduled to step off at 7 p.m. on Halloween, which falls on a Monday this year. The rain date is Nov. 1.

Police tried to bar early placement of chairs in 2011 due to concerns about the chairs blowing into the street, sparking an outcry from paradegoers and participants. But in 2013, when the parade resumed after missing the 2012 display due to Superstorm Sandy, the chairs were back.

Safety and security concerns have changed in the last month, however, in the wake of a pipe bomb explosion in Seaside Park along the route of the Semper Five 5K, a charity race to aid members of the Marine Corps on Sept. 17.

Carl Weingroff, the former parade chairman who is serving as an adviser this year, said parade officials and law enforcement are taking a much closer look at all aspects of security in and around the parade area. Extra law enforcement officers, both in uniform and plainclothes, will be working the parade route, he said.

Duell also warned participants — both marchers and those on floats — to be aware of the newly installed rumble strip in a section of Main Street, to avoid people tripping over it.

If you are planning to participate in the parade, information packets can be picked up at the firehouse on Robbins Street on Tuesdays after 7 p.m. They also are available online; click here to read them.

There is no advance registration for the parade; all registration is held the day of the parade beginning at 8 a.m. and running until 5 p.m. at the firehouse. Registration and participation is free but donations to the fire department are welcomed.

Weingroff said the most important part of security efforts is citizen awareness, and he reminds all who plan to come to the parade and take part to be vigilant.

Placing chairs along the route of the Toms River Halloween Parade days in advance will not be permitted this year. Karen Wall photo