By Clare Marie Celano
Staff Writer
FREEHOLD – As October nears its midpoint, the members of Freehold Borough’s Spooktacular Committee have been busy planning the community’s annual Halloween events.
Corn stalks that have been placed on trees and utility poles were donated by Twin Ponds Farms, Howell, according to Rich Kane, who has been involved with the Spooktacular activities since their inception 26 years ago.
Scarecrows placed throughout the borough add to the mystique of the season.
A Jack O’Lantern night on Oct. 22 will feature carved pumpkins. Pumpkins that have been carved by individuals and families will be judged as they are displayed on the steps of the Monmouth County Hall of Records plaza. The activity will take place from 6-8 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for the best carved pumpkins (by age).
A DJ will entertain participants and guests with holiday music. There will be contests, including mummy wrapping (with toilet paper) and guessing the weight of a very large pumpkin. Free refreshments will be served.
In keeping with a tradition that began in the 1950s, students from the six high schools in the Freehold Regional High School District, plus pupils from the Freehold Intermediate School, will paint Halloween scenes on more than 90 downtown storefronts on Oct. 13.
Spooktacular events will culminate with Monmouth County’s largest Halloween Parade on Oct. 30. Costume judging will take place at noon in the Freehold Raceway parking lot before all of the participants make their way downtown. Residents of all communities are invited to enjoy the parade.
Billy Anderson chairs the Spooktacular Committee and said, “Youngsters and families taking part in the parade should be at the Freehold Raceway parking lot no later than noon for costume judging.
“The procession will step off promptly at 1 p.m. and will wind through the streets of the borough until the participants emerge on Main Street and proceed to the Hall of Records for all of the spectators to enjoy.
“The spectacular sounds of the six Freehold Regional High School District bands and Frank Watson’s bagpipes will be on tap. Band members will swap their standard uniforms for costumes of the day.
“Antique fire trucks, floats, hay wagons and many costumed youngsters and families will all be part of this outstanding cavalcade,” Anderson said.
The parade will end at the Hall of Records where awards for the best costumes (by age) will be announced.
Anderson has served on the Spooktacular Committee for 14 years.
“I love doing something for my town and I enjoy the positive attention the town receives … The town has a great fall Halloween feel and I hope the parade will draw even bigger crowds this year and that everyone participates in the holiday events which, as always, are free.
“The cooperation we have received from everyone involved is phenomenal. We could not have done it without everyone jumping on board. It should be a great Halloween in the borough,” Anderson said.
