Town announces activities for Halloween observance

NUTLEY, NJ — The annual Trunk or Treat festival will be held on Monday, Oct. 31, on the ramp in front of the Department of Public Safety from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., weather permitting. The event is now being prepared by Commissioner Alphonse Petracco and the Public Safety Team.

This year’s event will once again feature decorated car trunks, treats and entertainment. The Public Safety-sponsored event is an opportunity for the “trunk or treaters” to be able to visit the Police and Fire Station in a positive way, enhancing the relationship between Police, Fire and the community, while also being in a well-lit and secure area.

“Our first concern, during this holiday,” said Petracco, “is always for the safety and well-being of the children of our community. It is easier to maintain close supervision of the little ghosts and goblins when they go from trunk to trunk for their treats.”

For additional information on this event, contact Petracco’s office at 973-284-4935.

Residents are also invited to come and celebrate Halloween with the Nutley Department of Parks and Recreation. The department has planned a Spooktacular Celebration for Nutley residents to enjoy.

Halloween is a magical time, filled with fantasy, costumes, and fun. Little ghosts and goblins are invited to enjoy a Halloween extravaganza which includes a hayride, Halloween music, candy apples, snacks, drinks and blow-up slides. The celebration will be held Monday, Oct. 31, at the Recreation Department, located at 44 Park Ave. Be sure to wear your costume. The festivities will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets are on sale now at the Nutley Department of Parks and Recreation, 44 Park Ave., for a per-family fee. Have proof of residency available at time of purchase.

Halloween is a great family holiday. There are plenty of activities in which the kids of all ages in your family can participate, so why not get out of the house and join in the fun?

“Our goal is to create a family environment for residents to come together and spend quality time with one another,” said Commissioner Mauro G. Tucci.

Our youngsters learn about family values from the time they spend with their own. Our families are the single most important aspects of our lives, but with the growing number of challenges we face when it comes to family time, whether it be our busy work schedules, increasing responsibilities or our children’s sport schedules, it is important we don’t forget to take time out to enjoy today.

With Halloween activities planned for all the little ghosts and goblins lurking in the neighborhood, we would like to offer the following safety tips for trick-or-treaters:

• carry a flashlight;
• walk, don’t run;
• stay on sidewalks;
• obey traffic signals;
• stay in familiar neighborhoods;
• don’t cut across yards or driveways;
• wear a watch you can read in the dark;
• make sure costumes don’t drag the ground;
• wear shoes that fit, even if they do not match the costume;
• avoid wearing masks while walking from one house to another;
• carry only flexible props and swords;
• wear light-colored clothing or reflective markings or tape; and
• stay away from and don’t pet animals you don’t know.
• approach only houses with a light on.

If you have any questions or would like further information, contact the Recreation Department at 973-284-4966, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.