Rules for Chairs That Line Halloween Parade Route From Eager Spectators

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 , 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.