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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 12, 2016

Contact: Caryn Shinske (609) 984-1795
Lawrence Hajna (609) 984-1795
Bob Considine (609) 292-2994

 
 

New Jersey Parks and Forests Offer Family Friendly Fun for All Throughout October to Celebrate Halloween
GHOST STORIES, HAUNTED HAYRIDES, COSTUMED GATHERINGS ARE SCHEDULED

(16/P98) TRENTON – Ghost stories, goblins, haunted hayrides and things that may go bump in the night are among the scary offerings for Halloween throughout October at several New Jersey state parks.

From trick-or-treating to touring a haunted village, there will be plenty of opportunities to thrill and chill both adults and children at parks across the state.

“Our state parks and forests offer a great backdrop for any number of activities to showcase Halloween, from tall and imposing trees, to colorful leaves, rolling hills and dramatic rock formations,” said Mark Texel, Director of Parks and Forestry. “There is a great deal of fun to be had by coming out to our parks this month to hear ghost stories, gather treats in a safe setting, and learn more about our history, including the famed Jersey Devil.”

Here is a sampling of Halloween-themed activities at Allaire State Park, 4265 Atlantic Avenue, Farmingdale, in Monmouth County. Information also is available at www.allairevillage.org

  • Take a Haunted Hayride or tour a Haunted Village at Historic Allaire Village between 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. on October 14, 15, 21 and 22. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children under 12. Advance ticket purchase is recommended. Call (732) 919-3500 for more information.
  • Spooky nighttime rides on the Pine Creek Railroad Haunted Halloween Express are offered every half hour between 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on October 14, 15, 21, 22 and 28. Tickets are $7.50. Advance purchase is recommended. Call (732) 938-5524 for more information.
  • Scary stories, history programs and demonstrations including a Flying Flea Circus, and timed tractor and wagon rides are scheduled from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. October 30 for the 19th Century All Hallow’s Eve. A costume parade with prizes for children under 12 years of age begins at 3 p.m. Advance ticket purchase for train and wagon rides is recommended. Call (732) 919-3500 for tickets, and for additional information about other activity fees.

At Waterloo Village inside Allamuchy Mountain State Park Waterloo Road, Andover, in Sussex County:

  • Lantern light will help lend a spooky effect to building exteriors as factual and folklore stories of Waterloo Village are shared during 90-minute outdoor tours of the property. Tours start at 7 p.m. on October 13, 20 and 27. Tickets are $10 per person and advance purchase is recommended. Space is limited for each tour.
  • The 4th Annual Trick or Treat for all ages runs from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. October 30. Any trick-or-treaters younger than 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Participants are encouraged to come in costume. A spooky forest featuring a story-telling witch will be featured. Free. Parking is $5 per carload. Call (973) 347-1835 for more information about the Shadows Of The Past Lantern Tours or trick-or-treat event.

Elsewhere around the state:

  • “Terror in the Timbers” is offered from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. every Friday and Saturday throughout October at Parvin State Park, 789 Parvin Mill Road, at the Danna Equestrian Trail Head, Salem County. The event includes a hayride and walk, which lasts about 25 minutes. A safe Halloween event for children is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, October 30. Refreshments will be available for purchase. For event updates, visit the Facebook pages for the Parvin State Park Appreciation Committee, Inc., or Terror In The Timbers.
  • Belleplain State Forest offers a campsite Halloween decorating contest for campers only, on October 22. The forest is at 1 Henkinsifkin Road, Woodbine Township, in Cape May and Cumberland counties. Call (609) 861-2404 for more information.
  • The historic Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal will be transformed into a spooky terminal for a family-friendly Halloween-themed event from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on October 29 at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, Hudson County. The “Terminal of Terror,” for adults 21 and older, will follow, from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. and feature paranormal activities, disc jockeys, food trucks and cash bars. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.chicpeajc.com/event/tot/2016
  • Absecon Lighthouse staff will offer haunted tours, tell ghost stories and share history about the Jersey Devil from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. October 29. Tickets are $20 per person. Reservations are required. The lighthouse is at 31 South Rhode Island Avenue, Atlantic City, in Atlantic County. Call (609) 449-1360 or visit www.abseconlighthouse.org for more information.
  • Jersey Devil tales and ghost stories will be told during a twilight hike from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. October 29 in Wharton State Forest’s Batsto Historic Village, 31 Batsto Road, Hammonton, in Burlington County. Free. Call (609) 567-4559 for more information.
  • An evening of Halloween songs and tales with Will-O-Wisp is scheduled from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. October 29 at Indian King Tavern Museum, 233 Kings Highway East, Haddonfield, in Camden County. Free. Seating is limited. Call (856) 429-6792 for more information.
  • An early evening walk on an unlighted trail at Round Valley, along with scary tales about the property is scheduled 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. October 30 at Round Valley Recreation Area, 1220 Stanton Lebanon Road in Lebanon, Hunterdon County. The fee is $3 for participants 12 and older, $1 for children ages 6-11. Park at the South Parking Lot, the first right after the toll booth.
  • A community-wide, family friendly gathering in Wharton State Forest’s Batsto’s Lower Village, 31 Batsto Road in Hammonton, is scheduled from Noon to 3 p.m. October 30. There will be games and treats for children, music and more. Free. Adults and children are encouraged to come in costume. Leashed, well-behaved dogs are welcome.

To learn more about New Jersey’s Parks, Forests and Historic Sites, visit: www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/

For a complete listing of State Parks events, visit:
www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/calendar/index.html

Like the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry page on Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/New-Jersey-Division-of-Parks-and-Forestry/103677636337387?fref=ts

 

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