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Toms River Halloween Parade Postponed

Rescheduled date will be announced

The Toms River Halloween Parade has been postponed, fire officials announced Saturday.

A new date will be announced in the next couple of days.

Based on information available from emergency management and weather officials, Toms River Fire Co #1 has decded to postpone the Halloween parade.

The rescheduled date will be decided in the next couple of days. Additional information will be forwarded as soon as possible.

It wasn't the first time the Toms River Halloween Parade had been rescheduled.

The parade was planned for Oct. 31, the 75th parade. The event draws a large participation from the local community as well as visitors from around the world.

Parade Chairman Al McDaniel said that if the parade was to be rescheduled, the rain date of Nov. 1 would not likely be used.

"A damaging storm would mean fire department resources would be addressing storm response as the first priority," McDaniel said. "We'd be tied up with those issues and couldn't devote the manpower to a parade."

For the latest Hurricane Sandy coverage from Toms River Patch visit our topic page here.

 

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About this column: News and essential information about Hurricane Sandy in New Jersey. Related Topics: Hurricane Sandy

Busy_Mom

7:21 pm on Saturday, October 27, 2012

I am not all that interested in Parade. What about trick or treat?!

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Laci

8:18 pm on Saturday, October 27, 2012

Not too much thought needed for your question, considering Sandy is aiming to barrel through for front door, unless your to busy to notice.

Busy_Mom

8:35 pm on Saturday, October 27, 2012

Hah. Funny. My question was in regards to rescheduling the date.

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Ro

8:44 pm on Saturday, October 27, 2012

I think basicly Halloween is canceled this year except for the parade

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Not Afraid to Rant

8:49 pm on Saturday, October 27, 2012

Well they should cancel the parade too. It's not that important!

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Rick

8:51 pm on Saturday, October 27, 2012

Oh darn, now I will have to eat all that candy myself

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Sas Quash

9:50 pm on Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Trick or Treat.
Smell my feet.
Good to eat.
Happy Halloween. Now eat that whole bag of candy that you bought.

Not Afraid to Rant

9:00 pm on Saturday, October 27, 2012

@ Busy_Mom I remember last year there was a lot of rain and a town up north rescheduled Trick or Treat for the kids the following weekend. Maybe someone will think of that and do this for the kids. I see there is some bah humbugs here. I guess the parade is more important to have to reschedule that.

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NJ Lady

9:07 pm on Saturday, October 27, 2012

I agree the trick or treat should be rescheduled as well...Halloween is our Favorite...we had to take down our Awesome Grave Yard :(

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NJ Lady

9:14 pm on Saturday, October 27, 2012

Plus my youngest was looking forward to marching in the parade with his school band this year..he usually marches with his boyscout troop...The parade is the high light for many families...

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chris Christie

10:09 pm on Saturday, October 27, 2012

Trick or Treating should be cancelled forever. It is too dangerous in today's modern world. Many North Jersey towns already cancelled it due to all of the lurings.

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William Bennet

1:33 am on Sunday, October 28, 2012

Either that or keep it to you local immediate community only.. Strange kids knocking on strangers houses.. Police having to monitor those listed for Megan's Law & watch out for the insanity is a lot of risk without the reward.. Most parents throw away the candy from strangers anyway... So why do it

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gregg Hinlicky

4:54 pm on Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Listen to you curmudgeons. Lighten up and take your kids trick or treating on the 31st, like the rest of the country.

Seriously?

11:03 pm on Saturday, October 27, 2012

Oh No!!! The parade was postponed!! I was SO looking forward to all the little ghosts flying down Main Street -- literally!!!

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Sas Quash

9:58 pm on Wednesday, October 31, 2012

So was the Halloween Parade cancalled in New York City.
So what to do now?
I'm sure there will be some post Halloween celebrations at various establishments.
This is another 21st century glitch just like Y2K.
Welcome to the Millennium.

bayway mike

11:50 pm on Saturday, October 27, 2012

Gonna have alot of candy left over on my block..Momma, do I have to go to work?? I gotta belly-ache!!!

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Sas Quash

10:07 pm on Wednesday, October 31, 2012

There is always use for the candy on Thanksgiving or Xmas.
Why not get ahead start on the Xmas Shopping.
Better yet, save the candy for those long lines at Black Friday.

mrbowlingalley

12:02 am on Sunday, October 28, 2012

Just trick or treat in Toms River on the 31st like the rest of the country does. The weather will be just a bit breezy. And make the parade on the 30th of every October so there is no confusion. Why do they insist on doing it this way? Parade - 30th! Easy stuff.

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.

12:30 am on Sunday, October 28, 2012

I have been saying that for years. Trick or Treat should be on Halloween. What right did Toms River have to change that? I always thought the parade should be on the Saturday night before Halloween like other towns do.

William Bennet

1:29 am on Sunday, October 28, 2012

It has always been a tradition in this town to Host the 2nd Largest Halloween Parade in the Country on the Night of Halloween unless it falls on a Sunday. You obviously are not from the Toms Rivers area or happen to be a transplant , so please don't blame anyone for something you don't understand or disagree with. This tradition has been in place for 75 years already.. We all hold strong to traditions around here.. Sorry if you can't understand that!!

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mrbowlingalley

1:42 am on Sunday, October 28, 2012

If the parade was the day all the other towns had it, then I suspect it would not be the biggest. Been here 53 years and talked to many who also have the same feeling. I understand how it works. I know enough firemen in the past and present. As for 'We All' hold strong to tradition. Who is that? Just let the kids do what all the other kids do and trick or treat on the 31st. Why confuse them? Halloween is the tradition here. Not the parade that has only been around 75 years.

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don

8:13 pm on Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Will, Tradition be damned!!! It could be the biggest if it were scheduled the day before Halloween because all the kids and parents from the other local communities that are actually trick or treating on the real All Hallow Saints Eve could attend the parade. Now isn't that a novel idea??

Parent of TR

3:16 am on Sunday, October 28, 2012

What about the hard working parents that spent money on costumes that kids won't be able to wear if they don't pick a new date for trick or treat ... I'd rather them cancel the parade!!!

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Ro

5:28 am on Sunday, October 28, 2012

Never heard of making costumes? I don't think I ever had a store bought one when I was growing up. With my parents worked but still made time to help us make costumes. None of my nieces or nephews have had store bought either. Not to hard to make a costume. And if kids don't use them thus year think of the money you save next year with not having to buy one.

Busy_Mom

8:15 am on Sunday, October 28, 2012

I agree. Trick or treat on Halloween! My kids are only worried about one thing in this storm... When will they be able to trick or treat? We will just wait and see. If we can get out there 10/31, we will even if it's only to a few houses in our neighborhood. I also perfer to t and t in our own neighborhood, or that of a friends. I would NOT park in a random area and send my kids out.

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Michelle W.

8:36 am on Sunday, October 28, 2012

Unfortunately, we don't even know what state this town is going to be in after the storm is over. If we are without power and flooding, it wouldn't be safe anyway. Believe me, my four year old is disappointed, but I am figuring out someway to make it fun for her still.

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BN

8:48 am on Sunday, October 28, 2012

Bingo! It won't be safe. People will be busy with yard cleanup (or worse). There will be no power, and costumes will provide perfect cover for meth heads to force their way in and rob you blind. Cancel it all and be thankful your kids are still alive.

John V

10:17 am on Sunday, October 28, 2012

Hopefully they cancel the parade permanently. I'm tired of the Fire Commisioners and firefighters in this town wasting my tax dollars on frivious things like a parade. I pay for FIRE PROTECTION not a parade.

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Pamela D

10:39 am on Sunday, October 28, 2012

you're such a grinch yuck!

tina

10:51 am on Sunday, October 28, 2012

I agree with all the comments on hear, but the children don't understand exactly Wats goin on! they are confused, scared and wondering were they are goin to be in the next couple of days.. It is sad that all the preparation that we go through for the kids on that one day that only happens once a year is going to be destroyed by this storm.. To worry about a parade is just redic.. But I do agree that we should make the best of it for our kids!!!

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NJ Mom

1:43 pm on Sunday, October 28, 2012

Aren't there more important things to worry about than if there is trick or treat or the parade? I have kids...and I am not overly concerned about whether they can march in the parade or wear their costumes right now. Priorities people.

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suz

4:08 pm on Sunday, October 28, 2012

Nice to hear from a mom who has her priorities in the right place. So what if there is no trick or treat this year! Kids will need to learn that life is not all candy and fun. A good lesson to teach them, no?

Linda Molinaro

2:36 pm on Sunday, October 28, 2012

I am more concerned about not being able to vote in the election than the parade or trick or treating. However, I have lived in Toms River since the 80's and feel that trick or treating should be on Halloween. It confused me when I was a new resident of the town. I didn't realize trick or treating was the day before Halloween until trick or treaters came knocking on my door and I was unprepared with no candy. I thought how dumb is this to hold a parade on Halloween and change trick or treat day. I agree with the person who said Trick or Treating on Halloween should be the tradition and the parade date should change. Anyway the storm and the election are what's really important right now. That's where the focus should be. I say trick or treat when the weather clears regardless of when the parade is. Don't show up for the parade when they figure out the new date. That'll show em!

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BN

3:49 pm on Sunday, October 28, 2012

Let's be like Maoist China and do everything just like everyone else. Keep the parade on the 31st and do away with trick-or-treating. Who are you to demand I give your kids free candy once a year?

NJ Mom

7:42 pm on Sunday, October 28, 2012

Well suz, in the middle of a hurricane, honestly I don't need to worry about candy and the parade! When the storm clears, we will march in the parade and yell Trick or Treat and get tons of candy with the best of them :-) I love Halloween and the timing of the storm stinks, but it will be rescheduled...not a big issue!

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Sas Quash

10:02 pm on Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Due to Hurricane Sandy, the new date the parade will be scheduled will be on November 31st. Happy Halloween.

John Frost

8:47 pm on Sunday, October 28, 2012

How are you all going to trick or treat when you are all dead?

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Local

9:31 pm on Sunday, October 28, 2012

AndRepublicansStillDontBelieveNGlobalWarming, Just what does it take before they do?

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Toms River Marksmen

12:10 am on Monday, October 29, 2012

Its really sad how the parents live through there children, the parade is a childs entertainment and these parents treat it like its the end of the world. Oh well you little kid acting parents wait until next year I am sure you will be ok.....

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Boo BOO

9:44 am on Wednesday, October 31, 2012

IT's Trick or Treat. Sorry, kids and parents. This year is the year of tricks and no treats.
HAPPY HELLOWEEN.

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NRyan

12:16 pm on Thursday, November 1, 2012

Allow me to explain that there are some in the parade that merely dress up in costume and march around and wave, yes we understand it is fun but it can be lived without. HOWEVER, there are also groups composed of teens and children who have REHEARSED choreographed dance numbers specifically for this parade. There are groups who have been working since the summer or even earlier perfecting said numbers or building floats that cost a ton of money and energy and HARD WORK. These kids and teens worked hard and stayed out of trouble because of the extra-curricular activities this parade had to offer; whether rehearsing or building. It would be terrifying to see all of their hard work go to waste! Is it the end of the world, no. Is it upsetting to see some not care about the effort put in to entertaining the public through the arts in a tradition going 75 years strong? Absolutely. Yes it is understood that there are those that lost many things because of the hurricane and our prayers go out to them, nonetheless, hard work is still hard work, and it at least deserves the satisfaction of showing it to the public so rescheduling the parade is essential. So do not dare to tell others what their priorities should and should not be.

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Tina Cross

8:30 am on Wednesday, November 7, 2012

They should reschedule both. I only let my little ones go to houses of people I know not strangers. In my town they "claim" they had Halloween on Monday but we still didn't even have electricity . No was thinking about it then. It was so stupid and no one even came to my house or we didn't even see anyone in costumes. So if you do reschedule send out flyers and be organized so everyone knows. They should wait til children are back in school and this way the kids an have their Halloween parties and trick or treat when they get home.  And I hope they reschedule the parade because at least the kids will have at least that if they don't reschedule trick or treat. They can us the funds for Hurricane Sandy Relief funds. Just an idea=) 

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sha

8:47 pm on Thursday, November 8, 2012

National Guard, volunteers, donations for the homeless living in shelters, music telethon for Red Cross, FEMA, people's homes washed into the ocean......and you're worried about a parade? Seriously?

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ginger

3:59 am on Monday, November 12, 2012

I totally agree and my daughter was due to march in it...Halloween is OVER sadly we are now on to thanksgiving and christmas..Children worked hard practicing and building floats BUT they have to also learn the idea of dissapointment..It happens its part of life and lessons learned about life..I LOVE the parade but sadly mother nature took it away,,IS what it is..Too many other emergency stuff to deal with

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