Halloween Fun Returns To Mendham Township: What To Know

MENDHAM TOWNSHIP, NJ — Halloween festivities are just around the corner in Mendham Township, with a costume contest, a new trunk-or-treat event, and traditional trick-or-treating planned for the coming days.

The Mendham Township Recreation Department and Mendham Township Elementary School PTO will host the township's annual Halloween Party on Sunday from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Meadowood Park.

This year's celebration will feature a new addition: a trunk-or-treat event, where participants can decorate their vehicles and hand out candy to children.

Those interested in participating with a vehicle must register in advance. Registration is not required for other activities.

The celebration will also feature the township's annual Halloween costume contest, open to children, teenagers, adults and seniors.

Prizes will be awarded in several categories, including best group costume, best pair, funniest, scariest, most unique and best overall costume.

Games, music and other activities are also planned. A $5 donation is suggested for participation.

Halloween Night Trick-Or-Treating

Mendham Township has also announced trick-or-treating hours and safety guidelines for Halloween on Oct. 31.

Trick-or-treating in Drakewick and throughout the township is scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m.

In Drakewick, an 8:30 p.m. curfew will be in effect for children under 18 who are not accompanied by an adult in public areas, including roads and sidewalks.

Officials also issued several reminders for residents and visitors:

• Drivers should watch for children and exercise caution in residential neighborhoods.
• Parking is prohibited within 50 feet of temporary no-parking signs. Violators may receive summonses, and vehicles obstructing traffic could be towed.
• Trick-or-treaters should avoid homes with their lights off or signs indicating that residents are not participating.
• Children should wear reflective or high-visibility clothing or lights on the outside of their costumes to make them more visible after dark.

A temporary portable restroom will also be available on Walsingham Drive near the pond.

Halloween Food Drive Returns To Drakewick

The Drakewick neighborhood will also hold its seventh annual Halloween Food Drive on Saturday, Oct. 31, and Sunday, Nov. 1, benefiting the Interfaith Food Pantry.

A Department of Public Works trailer will be stationed at the corner of Walsingham Road and Trimingham Court, near the pond, to collect donations.

Residents and families visiting the neighborhood for trick-or-treating are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items to help families facing food insecurity.

Organizers are seeking several Thanksgiving-related items, including turkeys, turkey breasts, hams, large chickens, instant mashed potatoes, stuffing, turkey gravy, cranberry sauce, and canned vegetables.

Other requested donations include hearty soups, 100-percent fruit juices, baking mixes, coffee, tea, hot cocoa, and fresh produce such as potatoes, onions, apples, and oranges.

Organizers ask that gravy not be donated in glass jars.

The food drive comes as organizers say high food costs continue to drive demand for assistance from local food pantries.