LAKEHURST – A Halloween season tradition returned once again with a march down Union Avenue to Horicon Lake for the borough’s Halloween Parade and Best Costume contest.
A variety of costumed young people and some adults walked from Borough Hall to the lake in perfect autumn weather. Mild temperatures, a little breeze and plenty of sunshine were part of the morning event that kicked off with police, fire and emergency vehicles. Parade participants walked and, in some cases, rolled down the street.
For every parade, you need spectators and residents turned out to the curb side and sidewalks to get a glimpse of all the costumed characters this year making their way down the street.
The Rector family assembled for the parade and it wasn’t their first time. They even brought their two dogs along to watch.
“We watch it every year,” Leanne Rector said. “We love Halloween and we all come out to watch it together.”
“We live nearby and this is a tradition for us, my granddaughter is here with her best friend. We’re just watching it this year. They’ll be in the parade when they get a little older. It is really beautiful weather for this,” Laura Roselli said.
A short distance away were members of another family who had a nice front porch view from their well decorated house. The trio – while not in costume – were certainly attired in their Halloween best. The family dog Luna was there as well. John Kasyan, Veronica Flesher and her mom Helene Flesher were enjoying the autumn day as they watched the parade.
“It took about three days to decorate. I do it in stages. Every year it gets a little different. We come out and do one thing and you look and see, hmmm that’s not working and so you tweak the other thing. It is a work in progress,” Helene Flesher said.
“Christmas will be just as big. We’ll have a lot more stuff in the yard. We don’t do the front yard too much because the lawn mower guys are coming and they have to stop at times when there is too much in your yard,” Helene Flesher said.
You could hear the sound of the classic Halloween song, “Monster Mash” that led off the parade with all the emergency vehicles in front and the many costumed participants behind them. Some joined the action from sidewalks along the parade route.
Among them was a pint-sized Beetlejuice and a little witch who nearly lost her pointed hat to the wind during the parade. A certain popular cartoon hedgehog was also among them. A variety of wagons with costumed occupants were pushed and pulled by parents and a well decorated ice cream truck stole the show.
Councilman Brian DiMeo served as the announcer for the event. He remarked “I’m glad I’m not judging this event.” His job was to corral the winners that were named. Councilwoman Bernadette Dugan was busy helping the judges in their very difficult task of looking over all the costumed individuals who circled around the parking lot of Horicon Lake.
“The contest has a few categories including scariest, prettiest, funniest and best group or duo,” Dugan said.
After the winners were named, children were invited to have a juice box and some candy and pick up a trick or treat bag by the pavilion. Families enjoyed the playground on the property and also enjoyed the breeze around the lake. The Proving Ground Church located at 1 Proving Ground Road held their annual Fall Festival later in the day giving another venue for fun, candy, and activities.
