Halloween in New Jersey may not look like it did last year, with large parties, parades, and throngs of trick or treaters clustered outside our doors but that doesn’t mean that Halloween is canceled. I recently wrote about a delightful drive-thru Jack O’ Lantern Trail at Skylands Stadium but that’s not your only option for socially-distanced fun!
You may be familiar with Westfield, New Jersey as the hometown of cartoonist Charles Addams.
AddamsFest/Facebook The creator of the iconic Addams Family, their mansion is said to be inspired by several local abodes.
Each year, the town hosts a frighteningly fun celebration of all things Addams. This year, they will be hosting a modified version - the Alt Addams Fest.
AddamsFest/Facebook The event will focus less on large gatherings and more on drive-through experiences and outdoor activities.
A highlight is the self-guided Haunt Your House driving tour.
AddamsFest/Facebook Local residents sign up to participate in the contest and decorate their homes with elaborate Halloween displays. You can see all of the homes on this map, which is also available as a print-friendly guide. The guide provides a map, lists all addresses, and lets the reader know when the best time to view each individual home is (day or night).
This year, there are 51 homes participating in the event! You can participate, too…
AddamsFest/Facebook Though it’s too late to add your home to the official contest list, you can participate by casting your vote for the best-decorated house. You can choose up to 4 favorites. You can also interact by taking photos and sharing them on social media with the hashtag #HauntYourHouse.
While we’re excited for the decorations alone and would gladly take a drive just to see them, there are other events to enjoy!
AddamsFest/Facebook Don’t miss the drive-thru trails at Tamaques Park. The daytime Trick or Trail is family friendly while the nighttime Trail of Terror is best suited for brave souls over 12 years of age.
And then there’s a virtual pumpkin-carving chat followed by a live video-carving tutorial.
JKehoe_Photos/Flickr If you feel your carving skills are up to snuff after the tutorial, you can also enter the carving contest.
Still, there’s more! Head Downtown and check out the Wicked Windows of Westfield shop displays…
AddamsFest/Facebook Or take part in the social-media-based Addams Family drawing challenge. There will be prizes!
While the Haunt Your House Driving Tour is free, along with other activities, some are paid events that require tickets. For dates, times, deadlines, and a full list of events, check out the Westfield AddamsFest 2020 Schedule.
AddamsFest/Facebook
The creator of the iconic Addams Family, their mansion is said to be inspired by several local abodes.
The event will focus less on large gatherings and more on drive-through experiences and outdoor activities.
Local residents sign up to participate in the contest and decorate their homes with elaborate Halloween displays. You can see all of the homes on this map, which is also available as a print-friendly guide. The guide provides a map, lists all addresses, and lets the reader know when the best time to view each individual home is (day or night).
Though it’s too late to add your home to the official contest list, you can participate by casting your vote for the best-decorated house. You can choose up to 4 favorites. You can also interact by taking photos and sharing them on social media with the hashtag #HauntYourHouse.
Don’t miss the drive-thru trails at Tamaques Park. The daytime Trick or Trail is family friendly while the nighttime Trail of Terror is best suited for brave souls over 12 years of age.
JKehoe_Photos/Flickr
If you feel your carving skills are up to snuff after the tutorial, you can also enter the carving contest.
Or take part in the social-media-based Addams Family drawing challenge. There will be prizes!
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Address: Westfield, NJ 07090, USA
