Freehold Borough keeps the haunting spirit alive

FREEHOLD — The Halloween Spooktacular Committee will once again transform the town into “Halloween Spooktacular” headquarters this month.

From painted store windows and cornstalks lining the main thoroughfares, to scarecrows propped up curbside throughout Freehold’s neighborhoods, to a costume parade with hundreds of children, a jack-o’- lantern contest and free haunted hayrides, the 14th annual Halloween Spooktacular sets out to satisfy everyone in the family.

The Halloween season will kick off with a window-painting contest, a decades-old tradition in the borough. On Oct. 14 (rain date Oct. 16), art students from all six schools in the Freehold Regional High School District, along with students from the Freehold Intermediate School, will compete by painting Halloween murals on retail storefront windows throughout downtown Freehold.

In the Halloween Spooktacular scarecrow contest, residents from the borough and beyondwill put their Halloween creativity to the test. Dozens of creepy, clever and amusing scarecrows will sprout up along the streets of Freehold Borough. Judging is Oct. 18.

Free scary haunted hayrides through the streets of Freehold will be given on Oct. 18 from 1-4 p.m., when the streets will be lined with ghouls, gore, witches and hobgoblins, and other creepy tableaus – all stationed with costumed volunteers who look forward all year to outrageous ways to frighten and amuse the hay riders. Wagons will run continuously from the parking lot of Wachovia Bank, West Main Street.

The jack-o’-lantern contest will take place on Oct. 25 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Monmouth County Hall of Records plaza, Main Street. Participants should bring their carved pumpkin (along with a small votive candle) to be displayed and judged in age-appropriate categories. Prizes will be awarded for all registrants.

Free hot apple cider and doughnuts and live entertainment should keep everyone happy and in the Halloween spirit. A $50 prize will be awarded to the person who guesses the number of candy corns in a giant jar. The jack-o’-lantern contest is free of charge and open to the public.

The Halloween parade will step off at 1 p.m. Oct. 26. The parade will feature costumed children, high school bands, professional musicians, floats and other marchers.

The parade will line up at the Freehold Raceway parking lot off Manalapan Avenue. That is also where the costume judging will take place from noon to 12:45 p.m. Prizes will be awarded in a variety of age groups from infants to teens. There is also a special family category. For more information visit www.FreeholdSpooktacular.com.