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!

According to Food & Wine Magazine, even the raisin specialists at Sun-Maid realize that — as good as their product may be the other 364 days of the year — it's the last thing most kids want to see on Halloween so, Sun-Maid has set up up a tongue-in-cheek "Raisin House" that embraces kid's fear of the shriveled grapes. Located in Merchantville, New Jersey, Sun-Maid's Raisin House currently features plenty of raisin-themed Halloween decorations visitors can view from outside. The Jersey town has an annual tradition of rebranding as "Monsterville" in honor of Halloween, which inspired Sun-Maid to take over the Perno's house at 3 East Cedar Avenue for their own house of raisin horrors. Trick-or-treaters will be able to walk up to the front door of the house and take Sun-Maid snacks from an "interactive hand sampling wall" and one part of the house "will be turned into a 'scare corridor' where zombies dressed in red bonnets will hand out samples at the end — a place for you to confess your rai-sins."

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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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.