Voorhees Township’s Annual Halloween and Fall Festival is on Saturday, Oct. 30, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Voorhees Town Center in the area in front of Town Hall. All are invited to don a costume and enjoy the fun-filled event that is now a Voorhees tradition. Take an old-fashioned hayride or pick a pumpkin from the Voorhees Business Association’s Pumpkin Patch. Candy and refreshments will be plentiful for all in attendance. There will also be Teal pumpkins in several locations to let parents know where non-food (allergy free) goodies are available.
Activities will also include a Halloween Costume Parade, pumpkin decorating, balloon artists, children’s rides, a Halloween-themed magic show and more. The Voorhees Township Police Department and Fire Department will be on hand providing Halloween safety tips. Sustainable Voorhees will also be in attendance with sustainable displays and activities, including turning t-shirts into shopping totes and making cardboard bird feeders.
The event is free and sponsored by the Voorhees Citizens Event Foundation, the Voorhees Business Association, Hardenbergh Insurance Group, Republic Bank, Columbia Bank, J-Dogs Catering and Amusements, Jefferson Health, South Jersey Radiology, Bowman and Company and Environmental Resolutions Inc.
For more information, visit voorheesnj.com or call (856) 882-7469 (SHOW).
The hours for “trick or treating” on Halloween in Voorhees are 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Also, an 8 p.m. curfew will be in effect the evenings of Oct. 30 and Oct. 31 for those under the age of 18. The township is once again making door hangers available to advise children whether a home is participating. The door hangers are available at the Halloween Festival, Town Hall, the Voorhees Police Headquarters, the Kirkwood and Kresson Fire Departments, the Post Office on Centennial Blvd, the Animal Orphanage and The Animal Welfare Association. Printable flyers are available on the Township Website (voorhessnj.com) for residents to place on doors advising whether they are participating in Halloween. The easiest solution if you choose not to participate is to simply not answer your door.
While Halloween is a time for fun for children and adults alike, the National Safety Council offers some safety tips.
- Motorists should watch for children walking on roadways, curbs or darting
out between parked cars. Enter and exit driveways very carefully. - Parents should accompany any children under the age of 12. A travel route should be established in familiar areas. Children should stop only at houses or apartments that are well-lit and should never enter a stranger’s home. Establish a return time.
- Youngsters should not eat any treats until they return home and have them inspected by an adult.
- Place a slip of paper with the child’s name, address and phone number
inside a pocket in case the youngster gets separated from the group. - Costumes should be fire-retardant and strips of reflective tape should be used to make children more visible. Use facial make-up instead of masks when possible. If masks are worn, they should have nose and mouth openings with large eye holes. Carrying flashlights will help children see better and be seen more clearly.
Also, when children visit your home to trick or treat, please be patient and keep in mind:
- The child who is grabbing more than one piece of candy may have poor motor skills.
- The child who takes a while to pick out one piece of candy may have motor planning issues.
- The child who does not say trick or treat or thank you may be non-verbal.
- The child who looks disappointed when they see your bowl might have an allergy or is diabetic.
- The child who isn’t wearing a costume at all might have a sensory issue or autism.
Be safe and have fun!
** The Alicia Rose Victorious Foundation will hold its 19th Annual Virtual Birthday Bash on Friday, Nov. 5 at 6 p.m. Held in the comfort of your own home, this event features a brief, dynamic program and includes a Signature Silent Auction Boutique, digital Ad Book, tribute messages and videos. The Foundation furnishes Teen Lounges in hospitals to enhance the quality of life for teens with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. For donations over $150, a unique “Bash in a Box” will be delivered just in time for you to enjoy! For more information, call (856) 784-0615 or visit info@arvf.org.
