Located at the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore’s Program Activity Center in Farmingdale and throughout the more than 154 wooded acres of Sacajawea Day Camp, Spooktacular is a frighteningly pleasant sight with girls dressed as goblins, spider webs wafting through the trees, children and adults alike laughing as they enjoy a hayride around camp.

“At any given time you can find a variety of sessions going on that are all girl-created and girl-planned,” said Joan Basilotto, outdoor program manager, Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore. “These dedicated Girl Scouts work diligently each year to ensure that Spooktacular attendees are impressed and engaged. Their creativity is incredible and you can tell people are having fun just by the joy on their faces.”

Spooktacular boasts a wide array of festivities including a ghost walk, storytelling, scary skits performed by the girls, marshmallow roasting, pretzel/apple dipping, dancing with the DJ, a tombstone scavenger hunt, as well as the aforementioned hayrides. When the weather is right, almost 4,000 people will visit over the course of the weekend.

“We love the various stations, story telling, marshmallow roasting and more,” said Tracey Schulman Dubey of Howell. “
is a fun and popular event that is a must do every year!”

Most sessions are available only to Girl Scout members, but every year – for three hours – the public is invited to partake in the Spooktacular experience. This year’s Spooktacular Family Day will take place at Sacajawea Day Camp on Saturday, October 22 from noon to 3:00 pm. You do not need to be a Girl Scout to attend this session. Cost is $8.50 per person and children under the age of three are free. Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore is also looking for adult and teen (grades seven and above) volunteers to become involved in the planning of Spooktacular and to share creative visions with girls and families throughout Ocean and Monmouth counties. For more information, visit www.jerseyshorespooktacular.com or call (800) 785-2090, ext. 156.

The steady beat of a marching band drum, the sweet sounds of trumpets and horns, and a sea of green faces, shamrocks, and kilts will line the streets in Seaside Heights this month.  Of course, this can only mean one thing- it’s time for the 27th Annual Ocean County Saint Patrick’s Day Parade which will be held on Sunday, March 12 at noon.

The parade, which is one of the largest in New Jersey, attracted 75,000 spectators last year and even more are expected for this year’s festivities.  Thousands of marchers, bands, bagpipe units, hummers, mummers, dancers, floats, clowns, leprechauns, and over 40 parade marshals will be featured in the procession.  The theme of this year’s parade is dedicated to Saint Patrick himself.

Parade Coordinator John J. Sweeney, who has been in charge of the parade since its inception, says this yearly happening is extremely popular because it allows loved ones to relax and be entertained together.

“The parade is always successful because it is a very family-oriented activity,” says Sweeney.  “It brings the entire family out to Seaside Heights.  It’s great to see moms, dads, grandparents, and kids enjoying a fun afternoon and spending time with one another.  It’s just a beautiful thing to see.”

The parade began in 1984 when a small group of Irish Americans, led by Judge Damian Murray decided to stage their own parade in Seaside Heights, NJ (also known as the Land of Fun and Sun).  Their main goal was to have the most entertaining and well organized parade in the state of New Jersey.  The group received financial help from the Freeholders of Ocean County and the Jersey Shore Irish American Club and began the planning process.  Even though they only had an operating budget of $3,000 that first year, the parade was an overwhelming success and attended by over 50,000 people.  As each year passed, more money was added to the budget which allowed for extra attractions to be added to the parade lineup.  Now it is one of the biggest parades in the state and in 1997, was rated one of the best 200 events in the United States by Business Events Magazine.  A theme song was even written for the parade.

Sweeney says the parade’s universal appeal is a contributing factor in why the event has been so well received by the public.

“What’s great about the parade is that it’s not just an ethnic event,” says Sweeney.  “It’s a time to celebrate the coming of spring.  It’s a time for people to shed their winter coats and enjoy the warmer weather.  Everyone wears their green to the parade because on this day, everyone is Irish.”

The parade is held on the Boulevard in Seaside Heights and is about one block to the boardwalk and the beach.  There is ample parking available to accommodate the crowds, but it’s always a good idea to arrive early.  Since the parade is quick moving and only lasts about two hours, there is plenty of time left in the afternoon to enjoy the local restaurants and perhaps take a stroll on the boardwalk.

Sweeney realizes that the parade spectators are anxious to get a bite to eat and relax with their families after the festivities are finished, so that is why he purposely keeps the parade running efficiently.

“One of the secrets to our parade is that we don’t have any gaps,” says Sweeney who receives help from over 50 volunteers on the day of the parade.  “This allows everything to run very smoothly.  We work extremely hard on this beforehand with our scheduling and during the parade itself to keep it going at a steady pace.  We understand that after two hours, people are hungry, thirsty and just want to continue on with their day, so we keep the parade within that time frame.  I think people really appreciate this and that is why we get such a great turnout.”

Before the parade steps-off at 12, there will be a traditional Irish mass which will honor Ireland’s most venerable saint, Saint Patrick.  The mass will be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Grant Avenue and the Boulevard, Seaside Heights at 10 AM.  It is advisable to get there early because the church fills up very quickly.

Sweeney looks forward to beginning the day’s events in a calm and peaceful manner.

“It’s nice to start the day off doing something dignified,” says Sweeney.  “We have an Irish priest come in for the mass and we sing Irish songs, too.”

Sweeney says his favorite part of the parade is seeing the children happy and having a good time.  This is what motivates him to continue the tradition, year-after-year.

“The youth get so excited because they absolutely love a parade,” says Sweeney.  “We have kids who sit on the curbs as spectators and we have children march in the parade, as well.  We always have many of the local Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and sports teams participate.  It’s really fun to see them march in the parade and have people clap for them.  They just get so excited and I love to see all of their smiles.”

For more information about the Ocean County Saint Patrick’s Day Parade, contact John J. Sweeney, the Parade Coordinator at 732-830-1847 or visit their website at www.oceancountysaintpatricksdayparade.com.  The website is chock full of interesting facts and tidbits, including a history of the holiday and a listing of St. Patrick’s Day parades held around the globe.