Your guide to local events and trick-or-treating hours in the area.
By Matt Skoufalos
“Witches of the Great Jack-O-Lantern Blaze in Ossining New York.” Credit: Anthony Quintano. https://goo.gl/vV7pY8
Halloween is still a couple of weeks away, but autumn is still a time to celebrate more than just going door-to-door. Many communities will mark the season with fall festivals for parents and children, parties, and parades.
Here’s our town-by-town guide on what’s happening here.
Did we miss anything? Send tips to matt@njpen.com, and check back with this story for updates.
Audubon
Trick-or-Treating Hours: 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, October 31.
Fall Events
The Audubon Lions Club will celebrate Halloween with its annual parade on Thursday, October 30. Free to attend, the event begins at 6:30 p.m. at the gazebo in the municipal building parking lot and concludes at the Audubon Fire House (221 W. Merchant Street). Trophies will be awarded to the best-costumed attendees, and free hot dogs and soft drinks will be provided.
The Audubon Fire Department is also hosting its Octobeerfest celebration Saturday, October 25, from 5 to 10 p.m. Created in the spirit of the department’s Independence Day celebrations, this 21-and-up event promises “delicious, Oktoberfest-themed food and ice-cold beer.” Tickets, which are $20 in advance and $25 at the door, are available at the building or from any member of the fire department.
Cherry Hill’s Fire and Life Safety Day will be held Oct. 19. Credit: Cherry Hill Twp.
Cherry Hill
Trick-or-Treating Hours: 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, October 31.
Fall Events
Cherry Hill will celebrate its Fire and Life Safety Day from 12 noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, October 19 at Croft Farm (100 Bortons Mill Road). Co-hosted by the township and its fire department, this free event will feature a pumpkin patch and farmers market by Springdale Farms, as well as pony rides, amusements, balloon art, and face-painting for children.
Emergency vehicles will be on display and firefighters will pose for photographs with visitors. Croft Farm Arts Center will also host open gallery hours for its Fall Into the Arts photography show during the event. Guests are urged to bring canned food items for the Cherry Hill Food Pantry.
Collingswood
Trick-or-Treating Hours: 2 to 6 p.m. Friday, October 31.
Fall Events
Whether you’re a “fast” zombie, a “walker,” or just a fatigued survivor, the popular Zombie Chase 5K will be held on Saturday, October 25 in Knight Park. It’s $22.50 for 5K runners and $7 for a one-mile fun run/walk, both of which benefit the Garfield Elementary School PTA. Prizes are awarded for the best costumed participants. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m., and runners can sign up online.
For those whose little ones aren’t up to a lengthy trick-or-treat session, enjoy some early Halloween fun with the First United Methodist Church Trunk-or-Treat. From 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 28, Dayton Avenue will be closed between Park and Stokes Avenues, and lined with decorated, parked cars. Free hot dogs and drinks will be served, and train rides will be offered for young children. For more information, call First United Methodist (201 Dayton Avenue) at 856-858-1186
Haddonfield
Trick-or-Treating Hours: 2 to 6 p.m. Friday, October 31.
Fall Events
The Haddonfield Celebrations Association will host its annual Halloween Parade on Thursday, October 30. Line-ups start at the corner of Kings Highway & Chestnut Streets at 6 p.m., and the parade begins at 6:30 p.m. “rain, shine, or vampires.” Costume winners will be named in various age groups, and include prizes for families and pets.
Hoots N’ Howls benefits Haddon Heights schoolchildren. Credit: Haddon Heights PTG.
Haddon Heights
Trick-or-Treating Hours: 3 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, October 31.
Fall Events
The Haddon Heights Parent Teacher Group will host its annual Hoots N’ Howls community festival from 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, October 25. The event begins at 3:30 p.m. with a Halloween parade that runs from the war memorial at 10th and Station Avenues to the 600 block of Station Avenue for the celebration. Children will enjoy games, amusements, crafts, a train ride, a haunted house, live music, and a spooky magic show. Contests include jack-o-lantern carving and best costumes. Pre-sale wristbands (sold through October 23) are $15 apiece, two for $25, or $10 apiece for three or more within one household and offer unlimited rides for the evening.
Haddon Township
Trick-or-Treating Hours: 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, October 31. A 10 p.m., under-17 curfew will be in effect October 30 and 31.
Fall Events
The Westmont Lions Club will hold its 67th annual Halloween Parade at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 30. Pre-registration (free) is available at Westmont Ace Hardware (127 Haddon Avenue), and must be completed to be eligible for a prize. For more information, e-mail Frank Jackson: fandgjack5@comcast.net.
From 5 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, October 18, the Haddon Township Knights of Columbus (350 Crystal Lake Avenue) will host its Oktoberfest scholarship social gathering. Catering will be provided by Merchant’s Deli and entertainment is from Tombola, DJ Bravo Entertainment, and the Two Moon Band. There will be a 50-50 raffle and activities for children as well. Adult tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door; children aged 6 to 12 are $12.50, and those younger than 5 years are free. Proceeds benefit the Staff Sergeant Joseph M. Weiglein Memorial Foundation. Call Mike or Ellen Weiglein at 856-546-1794 for more information.
Those interested in preserving the natural aspect of the fall season could register for the Saddler’s Woods Fall Stewardship Volunteer Event. From 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 18, volunteers will clean up the old-growth forest (250 MacArthur Boulevard) by removing litter, invasive weeds, and stream debris; planting trees; and performing trail maintenance. All ages are welcome; refreshments provided. Call Janet (856-869-7372) or e-mail janet@saddlerswoods.org with your name, age, and allergies or limitations for work.
Oaklyn
Trick-or-Treating Hours: 3 p.m. to dusk Friday, October 31.
Fall Events
The Oaklyn VFW Hall (5 Manor Avenue) will host its annual hay ride and pumpkin picking event from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, October 26.
Trick-or-treating schedule for Camden County. Credit: Matt Skoufalos.
