Voorhees Township’s Annual Halloween Festival will take place on Saturday, Oct. 26 (rain date Sunday, Oct. 27) from 1 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 locationsto 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 face painting. 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. Look out for the plastic bag monster. In addition, the Voorhees Town Center will have a beer and wine garden adjacent to the festival.
The event is free and sponsored by the Voorhees Citizens Event Foundation, the Voorhees Business Association, Hardenbergh Insurance Group, Republic Bank, DiMeglio Construction Company, Columbia Bank, J-Dogs Catering and Amusements and Jefferson Health.
For more information, visit www.voorheesnj.com or call (856) 882-7469 (SHOW).
The hours for “trick or treating” on Halloween in Voorhees are 2 to 8 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.
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 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 Voorhees Town Center’s Annual Thrill Nite will be on Friday, Oct. 25 at 6:30 p.m. Come out and enjoy a Halloween movie (TBA) on the big screen and dance along with a dance team to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” music video. There will also be a costume contest, dancing, candy, balloon animals and a visit from some special Halloween characters.
**The Animal Welfare Association (AWA) is hosting “Howl-o-ween Trunk or Treat” on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the AWA located at 509 Centennial Blvd. This free event is for kids and their (leashed well-behaved) dogs. There will be candy for kids and treats for dogs, including allergen free candy. “Howl-o-ween Trunk or Treat” will also include a costume contest for kids and dogs. Please RSVP if you plan on attending at www.awanj.org. For more information, visit [email protected].
** The Alicia Rose Victorious Foundation will hold its 17th Annual Birthday Bash on Friday, Nov. 1 from 6:30 p.m. until midnight at Lucien’s Manor in Berlin. The Foundation furnishes Teen Lounges in hospitals to enhance the quality of life for teens with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. Tickets are $170. For more information, call (856) 784-0615 or [email protected].
