The Toms River Halloween Parade is not just a small-town celebration—it’s a colossal event with over a century of history. The tradition began in 1937, organized by the Toms River Fire Company as a local Halloween event, but over the decades, it has blossomed into one of the largest Halloween parades in the world. Today, it attracts tens of thousands of spectators and participants, with some years even drawing attention from the Guinness Book of World Records for its size and scope, officially ranking as the second-largest Halloween parade in the world, trailing only New York City’s legendary Greenwich Village parade.
Despite its festive nature, the parade has faced its share of challenges throughout the years. In its early decades, the parade was occasionally canceled, notably during the Great Depression, and more recently due to Superstorm Sandy and the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the event has always bounced back stronger, maintaining its place as a beloved tradition in the Toms River community.
A huge part of that revival is due to the dedication of the Toms River Fire Company No. 1, which has consistently been at the helm of organizing the parade year after year. Their commitment ensures the parade not only happens but also maintains its family-friendly atmosphere, complete with intricate costumes, floats, and plenty of candy.
One of the quirkiest aspects of the Toms River Halloween tradition is the town’s decision to move trick-or-treating to October 30. The reasoning behind this is simple: by shifting trick-or-treating up by a day, families can fully enjoy the parade on October 31 without missing out on any of the classic Halloween fun. This tradition of “dual Halloween” gives local kids two nights of sugar-fueled joy—October 30 for trick-or-treating, and October 31 for the iconic parade. It’s become a defining feature of Halloween in the area, with other nearby towns like South Toms River, Pine Beach, and Beachwood also adopting the October 30 trick-or-treating tradition.
As for the parade itself, it’s a spectacle to behold. Stretching over miles of Main Street and Washington Street, it features everything from costumed marchers to floats, marching bands, and even pets in costume. Participants are judged on various categories, including the best float and the furthest traveler.
The parade is so popular that people have been known to chain their chairs to trees to reserve the best spots along the route—a practice that starts as early as 11 a.m. on the day before the parade.
At its peak, the parade can last over three hours, and it’s a logistical challenge requiring coordination between the fire company, Toms River Police, and dozens of volunteers.
One of the parade’s most recognizable figures over the years has been Sondra Fortunato, known affectionately as “Miss Liberty.”
For decades, she graced the parade in her red, white, and blue ensembles, adding a touch of eccentricity and patriotism to the event. Sondra’s appearances became so iconic that she was considered a parade institution in her own right. However, the 2023 parade marked the first year without her, signaling the end of an era for this beloved Halloween tradition. While her absence was certainly felt, the parade still carried on with its usual blend of spooky, community-centered fun.
Toms River’s Halloween parade isn’t just an event—it’s a tradition that reflects the town’s strong sense of community and its commitment to keeping the holiday alive in a big, bold way.
Whether it’s the massive crowds, the impressive costumes, or the pure joy of participating in one of the country’s largest Halloween events, it’s clear that the Toms River Halloween Parade is here to stay, continually growing and evolving while maintaining the spirit that has kept it going for over a century.
So, if you’re ever in Toms River on Halloween, make sure you’re ready to experience a truly unique celebration. And if you’re local, congratulations—you get two chances to trick-or-treat. Happy Halloween!
