HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. — The Hackettstown Police Department is gearing up for its 11th Annual Halloween Downtown celebration, set to take place this Saturday, October 26, 2024. The event will run from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at The Gazebo, located at the intersection of Main Street and West Moore Street, and promises an afternoon filled with festive fun, treats, and activities for all ages.
The celebration kicks off with a costume parade. Lineup for the parade begins at 2:00 p.m. at Centenary University on West Moore Street between Beatty Street and Second Avenue. Judging will take place at 2:50 p.m., with the winners leading the parade, which starts at 3:00 p.m. The parade will make its way down West Moore Street to The Gazebo, where participants will receive candy from Mars Wrigley, gifts from Hackettstown Stormwater Management, and other goodies from local sponsors, including WRNJ Radio, Atlantic Health System/Hackettstown Medical Center, Wawa, and Donaldson Farms. The farm market will also be providing free pumpkins, available while supplies last.
A costume contest will award prizes for the best costumes in several categories: Infant to 3 years, 4 to 6 years, 7 to 10 years, Family, and Pet (any age).
Following the parade, families can enjoy trick-or-treating at downtown businesses and participate in a Trunk-or-Treat event from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Trunk-or-Treat will take place in the rear parking lot of Trinity United Methodist Church at 213 Main Street and in the municipal lot behind EXIT Realty Connections NJ at 149 Main Street.
The event is sponsored by the Hackettstown Police Department, Mars Wrigley, Centenary University, Hackettstown Business Improvement District, Atlantic Health System/Hackettstown Medical Center, WRNJ Radio, Donaldson Farms, and Wawa.
Residents and visitors are encouraged to come in their best costumes for this “spook-tacular” Halloween tradition.