Call them Halloween house haunts of the Rumson-Fair Haven area. They’re those subtle little decorations that pop out to give passersby a bit of a “Boo!”
Perusing the area, there were a few that just seemed to summon the spirit of the season.
Take a look. We will be adding new haunting discoveries to this photo collage until Halloween. Do you know of a ghoulishly good lawn scare? Let us know and we’ll stop by to take a pic.
— Elaine Van Develde
The year was 1977. It was an RFH Halloween.
Seniors of the Class of ’78 were geared up for some ghostly fun. They gathered in the Senior Commons and paraded around, and, yes, out of the confines of the RFH campus.
There was no tricking and a lot of treating going on Sunday when Rumson and Fair Haven both hosted their annual Halloween festivities.
It all started with a parade in Fair Haven that culminated with costume prizes, some socializing and snacks at the firehouse. Then, in Rumson kids of all ages paraded a short route from the front to the back of Forrestdale School where some costume judging and prizes ensued along with some carnival-type fun and games.
Take a look at Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect’s slideshow for a peek-a-BOO into the day. Enjoy!
We will be posting the photos in a separate gallery for purchase if you’d like your own copies.
— Elaine Van Develde
Talk about just exuding the love of a bestie …
These two girls had a great day together at the Rumson Halloween celebration at Victory Park.
After getting permission to take their pic from parents, they instantly put their arms around each other, plopped their heads together and smiled ear-to-ear.
When this photographer asked, “Are you guys best friends?” They grinned even wider and shook their heads up and down with a big “Yeeees!”
Adorable. It’s likely, as with many in the area, that these two will be friends forever.
Here are a few more … And, take a look back at our slideshow of Halloween in the R-FH area by clicking here.
Maypole? Well, it’s either block-long try at one or a prime example of good ol’ Mischief Night toilet papering.
The guess is the latter. Fair Haven Road really looked like a giant maypole on Halloween day.
The police had issued a warning against using such “materials” to wreak a little traditional, yet, illegal havoc. But, in this case, the culprits eluded them.
Take a look at the close-up portion of the TP in the photo. One ply or two?
By Elaine Van Develde
From a former Haunted Mansion ghoul, and your founding editor of Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect, Happy Halloween and may you get yourself a good scare and give one, too!
There’s a mad scientist gatekeeper of sorts at the corner of River Road and Church Street in Fair Haven that we couldn’t resist featuring as a sort of Halloween host. Look for him tonight.
And while you’re trick-or-treating, remember, from this trained monster, that all good ghouls know how to give a good scare (all in fun, of course).
So, for the adults, here are a few tips:
• Play your part with heart. In other words, believe who you are for the night and other tricksters will believe it all, too.
• Give ’em a good stare-down. If you can stay in character without cracking a smile, you can send people screaming into the night.
• Give ’em a good shock scare. After staring them down, when they least expect it and think all is calm, prove them wrong and give a good scream, hiss or thump, followed by something your character would shout out.
• A good evil laugh as they run is always a fun follow-up.
Most of all, don’t try this at home unless you’re an adult or a kid supervised by parents who love the same sort of Halloween fun.
And, above all, have FUN and stay safe! Remember the area rules from police.
As, Haunted Mansion ghouls say, “I’m scared o’ you!” Happy haunting!
The rumors are not true.
If you heard that Gov. Chris Christie had cancelled Halloween trick-or-treating due to Ebola concerns, you heard wrong. And there’s no Hurricane Sandy to ruin it all this year, either.
Halloween will happen as usual in the Rumson-Fair Haven area.
Curfews for both towns are 8 p.m. on both Mischief Night and Halloween. The rules are the usual.
Fair Haven police have outlined them, just so there is no confusion.
On Mischief Night …
• There is ZERO tolerance for anyone found out past curfew (8 p.m.);
• Anyone found in possession of toilet paper, shaving cream, eggs, soap, silly string, fireworks and “any other item that could be used for criminal mischief” will find themselves in trouble with police.
On Halloween …
• Trick-or-treaters under 18 and not supervised by an adult must be off the roads by 8 p.m.;
• Never, ever go trick-or-treating alone;
• Exercise caution around strangers both on the street and at homes;
• Do not go inside homes;
• Do not eat candy until you get it home and it is inspected by parents;
• Wear a highly-visible or reflective costume, walk on sidewalks and walkways and carry a flashlight and cell phone.
The main message: Stay safe, stay out of trouble and have fun!
Happy Halloween!
By Elaine Van Develde
Not only is Halloween approaching, but it’s also a historic time of the year for people in the Rumson-Fair Haven area — the second anniversary of Sandy, the superstorm that crippled the coast.
So, as Rumsonites ready for Halloween, it’s also hard to forget Sandy’s wrath. That was certainly scary enough.
Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect found few decorations in the borough. Take a look and alert us to more ([email protected]). In the meantime, notice one Shrewsbury Avenue resident’s creative take on the anniversary and Halloween combined.
Photos by Elaine Van Develde
By Elaine Van Develde
Sunday was the day for all ghosts and ghouls in Rumson and Fair Haven to parade their holiday personas.
Both boroughs hosted the fall festivities on a crisp, sunny day. Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect paid a visit to both.
Take a look at our slideshow of the two events combined. Click on the arrow in the center of the photo below and enjoy!
By Elaine Van Develde
OK, Rumson-Fair Haven area friends and fans, there will be festivities to celebrate Halloween this weekend!
First of all, there’s a Fair Haven Halloween Egg Hunt, yes an egg hunt, at the park at Sickles School on Saturday evening at 6 p.m. We have no idea what this really means, other than that Mayor Ben Lucarelli said today that “it’s an opportunity to gather everyone at one spot to celebrate Halloween.”
In addition, the borough is hosting its annual Halloween parade on Sunday at 2 p.m., starting at Knollwood School on Hance Road. Line-up starts at 1:30 p.m.
Also on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. is the Rumson Halloween Parade and Party at Victory Park. There will be all sorts of activities and festivities. Line-up is at 3:15 p.m. There will be a costume contest and prizes and a Mad Science Slime-Making Booth.
Have fun, friends and fans! I’ll see you at the festivities! In the meantime, I offer you a … BOO!
By Elaine Van Develde
They’re creepy and kooky, maybe a little mysterious and spooky, and, perhaps, altogether ooooky, as the classic Addams Family theme music says. Maybe all of the above. But there’s one thing Halloween decorations in Fair Haven definitely are — part of a longstanding local celebration of the season.
Yes, fall is in the air and the Halloween spirit is adorning lawns in this 1.4-square-mile suburb. Have you seen them sprouting up all over? We have.
Here’s a sampling of a few in the light of day. Let us know (at [email protected]) where we can find more of the most creative, creepy sights and we’ll get over there to grab a photo.
We’ll be adding to the collection; and, Rumson will have its own gallery as well.
In the end, a special Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect prize may be awarded to the winner. Don’t forget to email us your favorites; and Happy Haunting!
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