Mayor’s Column: Voorhees Township’s Halloween festivities
From trick-or-treating hours to costume parades, Mayor Mignogna explores what’s in store this season.
Voorhees Township’s Annual Halloween Festival will be on Sunday, Oct. 29 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 wear a costume and enjoy the fun-filled event that has become a Voorhees tradition. Take an old-fashioned hayride or pick from the Voorhees Business Association’s Pumpkin Patch. Candy and refreshments will be plentiful for all in attendance.
Activities will also include a Halloween Costume Parade, pumpkin painting and 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. In addition, the Voorhees Town Center will have a beer and wine garden located next to Catelli Duo.
The event is free and sponsored by the Voorhees Business Association, The Voorhees Town Center, Republic Bank, J-Dogs Catering and Amusements, Virtua, Hale Trailers, DiMeglio Construction, Hardenbergh Insurance Group, SJRA, TD Bank and Kennedy 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 p.m. 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 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 eyeholes. Carrying flashlights will help children see better and be seen more clearly.
Be safe and have fun!
In other news:
* The Alicia Rose Victorious Foundation will hold its 15th Annual Birthday Bash on Friday, Oct. 27 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 $150. For more information, call (856) 784–0615 or visit info@arvf.org.
*The Voorhees Town Center’s Annual Thriller Night will be on Friday, Oct. 27 at 7:30 p.m. Come out and enjoy a Halloween movie on the big screen and dance to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” music video. There will also be face painters, balloon animals and a special visit from some despicable minions.
*The Third Annual Ashley Paul Memorial Foundation Halloween Costume ‘Run for your Life’ 5K Run/Walk will be held Saturday, Oct. 28 at 9 a.m., rain or shine at Eastern Regional High School. The event fee is $20 and registration ends Oct. 26, at 10a.m. To register go to www.runsignup.com and enter the race date, Oct. 28. All proceeds benefit the Ashley Paul Memorial Foundation.
*The Animal Welfare Association (AWA) is hosting “Howl-o-ween Trunk or Treat” on Saturday, Oct. 28 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.
*Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 7. Ballots can be cast between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. at the following locations:
- Residents of District 1 (Greenridge and Ashland areas) Vote at Ashland Presbyterian Church
- Residents of District 2 (Kirkwood and Carriagebrooke Farm) Vote at the Kirkwood Fire Hall
- Residents of District 3 (Alluvium Woods area) Vote at Kresson Fire Hall
- Residents of District 4 (Echelon Towers and La Bonne Vie areas) Vote at Yardley Commons
- Residents of District 5 (Three Pond and Franklin Square areas) Vote at Town Hall
- Residents of District 6 (Portion of Sturbridge Lakes and Woodbrook areas) Vote at the
- Voorhees School Administration Building
- Residents of District 7 (Lost Tree and Holly Oak) Vote at the Barry Brown Health Education Center
- Residents of District 8 (Main Street Estates area) Vote at the Meeting Place at Hope Church
- Residents of District 9 (Devonshire, Lake Villa, Elm Tree and Alluvium Lakes areas) Vote at the Muslim American Community Church
- Residents of District 10 (Alluvium area) Vote at Lions Lake Community Center
- Residents of District 11 (Portion of Sturbridge Lakes) Vote at the Hampton Inn Route 73
- Residents of District 12 (Ashland Terrace, Woodcrest, Staffordshire Estates area) Vote at
- Town Hall
- Residents of District 13 (Avian area) Vote at the Brendenwood Senior Center
- Residents of District 14 (Rainwood area) Vote at Brendenwood Senior Center
- Residents of District 15 (Beagle Club, Wood Glen, Laurie Drive area) Vote at Lions Lake Community Center
- Residents of District 16 (Sturbridge Estates and Sturbridge Woods areas) Vote at the Hampton Inn Route 73
- Residents of District 17 (Centennial Mill area) Vote at Centennial Mill Clubhouse
- Residents of District 18 (Village Apartments area) Vote at the Vistas Clubhouse
- Residents of District 19 (Staffordshire and Traditions area) Vote at Lions Gate