Rules for Chairs That Line Halloween Parade Route From Eager Spectators
In years past, people hoping for great spots have tied chairs to trees ahead of time
So far, there's no chairs.
But about this time each year, plastic lawn chairs start to pop up along Main Street, the parade route for the Toms River Halloween Parade, through its turn down Washington Street.
In fact, according to Carl Weingroff, the parade chairman, the record for earliest he's seen people try to reserve a spot on the parade route is two weeks before the parade.
This year, the parade is on Monday, the same day as Halloween. Last night, no chairs could be seen along Main Street...there's five days to go until 7 p.m. Monday, when the parade kicks off.
Weingroff and Toms River Police Chief Michael Mastronardy said the chairs can become an issue if they are not secured.
"We don't want them blowing into the street, causing issues," Mastronardy said.
The rule is that chairs are allowed ahead of time if they do not interfere with private property and also are tied down, so as to prevent them from rolling into the street or elsewhere, Mastronardy and Weingroff said.
Weingroff said he's heard of chairs stolen or maliciously removed, too. He's also seen people build viewing stations — bleacher or observation tower style — on their property to best see the parade.
The golden rule, Weingroff said, is to "use common sense."
"Really we just ask people use common sense and help create a great parade experience for everybody," he said.
1stcav
6:27 pm on Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Don't want Grandma beating the heck out of someone with her umbrella because she isn't up front to see the grands pass by...Monday morning is soon enough to set for Mon. night @ 7:00 PM one would think .
Mattie
7:14 pm on Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Frankly, I think the practice of "reserving" your spot by placing chairs, days ahead of time, at the curb along the street should be abolished. What BS.
You want a good seat?
Then haul your behind out there 3-4 hrs ahead of time, set yourself up with a chair, some coffee or hot chocolate in a thermos, and wait it out. If you own a *residential* property along the parade route, you should be allowed to "reserve" ONLY the width of your driveway- at the curb. That's it. Otherwise it should be first come first seated. That's my opinion, although I really won't lose any sleep over it - I haven't attended the parade since the 80's. I can catch the highlights on our local cable channel - if I'm interested.
Catherine Galioto
11:50 pm on Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Hi Mattie, I was honored to be asked to help announce the parade for TV-21 this year. So if you catch the broadcast, you'll hear me among the announcers! Wish me luck, I'm 13 years removed from the last time I was part of TV-21.
Scott Derek
3:59 am on Thursday, October 27, 2011
It's a shame the parade isn't live on TV like it used to be....now it's tape delayed on TV21. I wish they could do it live; we did it once during a cancer cluster meeting back in 2002.(I too am a TV21 alum-Class of '02).
Catherine Galioto
7:25 am on Thursday, October 27, 2011
I think it might be live this year! I will confirm. The program staff told me they also do many of the studio broadcasts live now; there are some real cool things the classes are up to!
Mattie
9:52 am on Thursday, October 27, 2011
That would be great if it was "live" again. However, Catherine, do us all a favor and brush up on your Disney characters, Pixar movies and other such things... It was always painful to listen to the other two parade MCs describing costumes and floats when they had no CLUE who the characters were or from what children's story. They were soooo far out of touch for what was "in" for the last 5 yrs, it was cringe-worthy, but sometimes hilarious.
Catherine Galioto
3:53 pm on Thursday, October 27, 2011
Hi Mattie, I'm up for the challenge of watching lots of children's television to be the best announcer I can. I'll be cramming in hours of Nick Jr., Sprout and PBS Kids.
Mattie
7:47 am on Friday, October 28, 2011
Good to know Catherine! And best of luck to you!
Maybe now when a Spongebob float goes by, someone won't be saying (deadpan) "Oh look, there's Bobby Squarepants" or ooh-ing and ahh-ing over the "scary witch" who is really the evil Queen from Snow White. Everyone knows witches don't wear crowns!
;-)
barbara
9:32 am on Thursday, October 27, 2011
If it makes you happy to "reserve" a seat, then do it. I prefer to see it from the comfort of home, if it's broadcast live. Don't see the purpose of watching a Halloween parade in November. I'm done with Halloween on November 1st.
RPtoTR
10:42 am on Thursday, October 27, 2011
My office/property is on Main Street. I have no problem with reserving space for parade viewing. I would be a nice change if parade goers would respect the property.
Every year I spend the following morning cleaning up garbage, broken chairs, repairing the front lawn and plantings.
Please, show a little respect this year!
bayway mike
2:24 pm on Thursday, October 27, 2011
Need a new lawn chair??
Just cruise up and down main st
and washington st around dusk.
nobody knows if your retrieving
or placing the chairs. i write this
because my job had me working
the midnight to 8am shift and i
watched suspects removing chairs
and the parade route. it's not my duty
to report this ongoing action, because
i couldn't document what was happening.
just saying..
Penileimplants
2:57 pm on Thursday, October 27, 2011
They should all go to the Psychic Fair first and learn to levitate.Then they wouldn't need chairs !
1stcav
3:38 pm on Thursday, October 27, 2011
Penis head Lmao !
Penileimplants
3:52 pm on Thursday, October 27, 2011
Implants,not head !!lol
walt tupycia
6:51 pm on Wednesday, November 2, 2011
are there rules you can reseve days before the event.this is BS.Have the town take away the chairs this is called litter.