Every October for Halloween, the borough of Merchantville, N.J., calls itself ‘Monsterville’.Photo:courtesy of the borough of Merchantville, New Jersey
courtesy of the borough of Merchantville, New Jersey
A New Jersey town truly,trulyloves Halloween — to the point where it officially takes on a special name when October rolls around.
Merchantville, New Jersey, is known for such things as its Victorian homes and nature trails. However, in recent years, it’s also become “Monsterville” every October, a tradition that is continuing this year.
And an adopted ordinance made the moniker official.
“Halloween has always been a special holiday in town because of community participation and the beautiful tree-lined streets and homes that are close in proximity to each other,” Merchantville Mayor Edward Brennan said in an interview with theCourier Postin 2016.
“These qualities allow our walkable community to capitalize on the Halloween where those characteristics lend themselves a lot to trick or treaters both from in and outside of town," added Brennan.
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A Halloween decoration in Monsterville, New Jersey.courtesy of the borough of Merchantville, New Jersey
Throughout the month of October, the town engages in such Halloween-related activities including the “Haunts of Monsterville” home decorating contest; a “Spooky Story Time”; and a “Zombie 5K Run and Walk.” A new addition to the Monsterville festivities for 2023 was the “Monster Mash Bash” that took place on Oct. 14.
A scene from Monsterville, New Jersey.courtesy of the borough of Merchantville, New Jersey
The borough also released itsmapfor this year where visitors can check out the various “harrowing haunts” — including 101 E. Chestnut, where an old Victorian is situated.
“Michael Myerswill be walking amongst those brave enough to visit,” according to the description, which references the infamous character from theHalloweenmovie franchise.
Every October, the borough of Merchantville, New Jersey, becomes ‘Monsterville’ to celebrate Halloween.courtesy of the borough of Merchantville, New Jersey
Another Monsterville highlight for this year is the newly opened “West End Manor Dead and Breakfast” at 27 Linden Ave., whose amenities include “extra drafty rooms (with our without cobwebs), moldy meals and endless screams."
The borough added in its press release that about 3,000 trick-or-treaters are expected to descend on Oct. 31.
A decorated house in Monsterville, New Jersey, for Halloween.courtesy of the borough of Merchantville, New Jersey
“A lot of what Merchantville is is community involvement, and this is the epitome of the community being involved,” Brennan toldNJPen.comin 2016. “Halloween is one of those holidays where mostly everybody’s involved. We said, ‘Let’s really go all in.’ Halloween is something that we think Merchantville can own.”
source: people.com
