In 2016, Monsterville took root in Merchantville. Five years ago, Mayor Brennan and Councilperson Swann summed up the town's feelings in the Courier-Post. 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.  These qualities allow our walk-able community to capitalize on the Halloween where those characteristics lend themselves a lot to trick or treaters both from in and outside of town. The Monsterville concept is an extension of the borough’s commitment to Halloween which really began last year with the Haunts of Merchantville, a concept shepherded by Councilman Anthony Perno - a haunted house competition which competes for the prestigious “Golden Broom”. Halloween is one of the few holidays where folks literally go door to door and are greeted by smiling, welcoming neighbors. This is our moment to put on a show for our community and welcome them to our front porch. Halloween is the epitome of a community event, it requires participation, creativity and in small towns like Monsterville, the energy and excitement of the kids and adults alike as they walk around our decorated town is infectious. Brennan's favorite part: "Seeing the adults transformed into kids again once a year." Halloween fun in town dates back to 1939 when the Morning Post featured Merchantville's Business Association featured a parade and comic fashion show.

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With poll workers needed across the region, Gov. Phil Murphy signed an executive order on Thursday, October 7th, increasing the pay from $275 to $300 for Election Day poll workers and increasing the hourly rate by a commensurate amount for those who work during the early voting period of October 23rd through Oct. 31st. You can apply to serve as a poll worker in New Jersey if you are 16 years of age, a US citizen and a resident of New Jersey. By staffing a polling location, you will earn $21.44 per hour on in-person early voting days and $300 on Election Day. Earn an additional $30 when you attend required training provided by the County Board of Elections and fulfill your commitment at the polls. To apply to be a poll worker in Camden County or elsewhere in New Jersey, go to PollWorker.NJ.gov. For a list of all polling places in your hometown, go to: https://www.camdencounty.com/service/board-of-elections/

We are excited to announce the 2nd annual Monsterville Jack O'Lantern Walk on Friday, October 22nd, during the Market Off Centre. Please carve and bring your own Jack O’Lantern to have it displayed along the Bike Path. The Merchantville Public Events Committee will provide a candle for each pumpkin. Enjoy shopping the market, then continue your way down the path enjoying craftily hand-carved pumpkins. Please RSVP on this event page so we have an idea how many beautiful, creative and scary Jack O'Lanterns will be lighting the path!

The Haunts of Monsterville has returned. Do you have a haunt - home or business - located in town worthy of the Golden Broomstick? Register here or grab a form at Borough Hall to join the competition. Registration closes at 3:00 p.m. on October 22nd and may the best ghoul win! New to this year's haunt, participants can choose to "open" on October 30th and 31st for an extra chance to tour the town and cast your vote! Judging/voting will take place through Survey Monkey October 30th and 31st. Link will be shared on the 30th. Winners will be announced at 7:00 p.m. November 5th at the First Friday Market. Rules: No professional decorating services. Judging limited to exterior decorations. Judges' decisions are final. Prizes include the coveted Golden Broomstick and gift cards to Merchantville businesses.

Do you like a good scare? Then join Camden County 4-H for their annual haunting on Friday, October 22nd and Saturday, October 23rd from 7-10:30 p.m. in Blackwood. This year’s Haunting returns as a Haunted Walk in and around the Camden County Office of Sustainability at 508 Lakeland Road. 4-H volunteers and members will transform Lakeland into a Halloween worthy event complete with haunted scenes sure to bring shivers and goose bumps around every turn. Suggested for children ages 8 and up, the Haunting serves as the largest 4-H fundraiser of the year and has been held for more than 20 years. Tickets can be purchased onsite and the cost is $10 per person or $35 for a group of four. Learn more here.

Sunday, October 17th at 11:59 p.m. is the last day to register for the 2021 Cooper Norcross "Run The Bridge". The in-person 10K will cap out at 2000 participants and the in-person 2 Mile Walk will cap out at 250 participants. There will be no in-person registration for the 10K Run or 2 Mile Walk this year. The race will take place on November 7th at the historic Ben Franklin Bridge and is presented by AmeriHealth New Jersey. The 10K run and two-mile bridge walk will benefit the children with special needs of Larc School. Each registered participant will receive a long sleeve cotton t-shirt (or upgraded tech tee), Finishers Medal (10K participants only), an official Race Bib, a Swag Bag and 2022 Early Registration (with gift)! All participants 21 and over will receive one FREE beer at our Tonewood Brewing Beer Garden!

BOO...to you! Coming soon! A secret Monsterville tradition to surprise neighbors, classmates, friends or families with a special Halloween package on their doorstep. Before you know it "We've Been BOOed" bags will make their magical way from house to house. Halloween BOO-ing begins when one neighbor secretly leaves a small gift basket, a BOO poem, BOO instructions and a BOO sign at a neighbor's doorstep. The lucky BOO-ee is asked to post the sign near the door, alerting others that "We've Been BOO-ed!" In turn, the neighbor is asked to BOO two other homes creating a chain reaction of Halloween fun. Soon, an entire neighborhood is sporting BOO signs, and everyone is guessing who. So turn off those RING Apps Monstervillians! Anyone who gets Booed and needs copies of the BOO poem, BOO door sign or Booing instructions can pick them up between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at Monsterville Borough Hall! Enjoy these pictures of some 2019 Monsterville BOOing recipients. If you got BOOed please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.!

It's baaaackkk! Get ready for thrills and chills at the Merchantville School Haunted House "Movie House of Horrors" on October 15th and 16th. Are you brave enough to tour eight rooms of movie fright? Haunting begins at 7:00 p.m. with a "scare free" preview at 6:00 p.m. Refreshments and raffles will round out this fundraising event for the Merchantville School class of 2022. Proceeds benefit the Merchantville School class of 2022 graduation fund. Check back for ticket pricing and more details! Rain dates: October 22nd and 23rd.