In 2016, Monsterville took root in Merchantville. Five years ago, Mayor Brennan and Councilperson Swann summed up the town's feelings in the Courier-Post. Halloween has always been a special holiday in town because of community participation and the beautiful tree lined streets and homes that are close in proximity to each other.  These qualities allow our walk-able community to capitalize on the Halloween where those characteristics lend themselves a lot to trick or treaters both from in and outside of town. The Monsterville concept is an extension of the borough’s commitment to Halloween which really began last year with the Haunts of Merchantville, a concept shepherded by Councilman Anthony Perno - a haunted house competition which competes for the prestigious “Golden Broom”. Halloween is one of the few holidays where folks literally go door to door and are greeted by smiling, welcoming neighbors. This is our moment to put on a show for our community and welcome them to our front porch. Halloween is the epitome of a community event, it requires participation, creativity and in small towns like Monsterville, the energy and excitement of the kids and adults alike as they walk around our decorated town is infectious. Brennan's favorite part: "Seeing the adults transformed into kids again once a year." Halloween fun in town dates back to 1939 when the Morning Post featured Merchantville's Business Association featured a parade and comic fashion show.

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The Haunts of Monsterville has returned. Do you have a haunt - home or business - located in town worthy of the Golden Broomstick? Register here or grab a form at Borough Hall to join the competition. Registration closes at 3:00 p.m. on October 22nd and may the best ghoul win! New to this year's haunt, participants can choose to "open" on October 30th and 31st for an extra chance to tour the town and cast your vote! Judging/voting will take place through Survey Monkey October 30th and 31st. Link will be shared on the 30th. Winners will be announced at 7:00 p.m. November 5th at the First Friday Market. Rules: No professional decorating services. Judging limited to exterior decorations. Judges' decisions are final. Prizes include the coveted Golden Broomstick and gift cards to Merchantville businesses.

Eclipse Brewing will be 5 yrs old this Saturday, October 9th, so stop by, raise a glass, try a flight or buy a crowler or growler. Thanks to owners, Chris and Beth Mattern, Merchantville has a cozy neighborhood micro-brewery, 18 taps, different styles, something for everyone. One tap is for soda and the other 17 beers change week-to-week and can include light and dark beers, hoppy to honey, fruity to coconut beer. Their seasonal ales are delicious, Peach Sour is back on tap and they have really great root beer - bring your own ice cream for a fabulous float! Eclipse offers plenty of outside seating with picnic tables and chairs. One recent review sums it up - "Great beer, reasonable price, friendly staff, and a delightful atmosphere." Open 7 days a week. First come, first served. Located at 25 Park Avenue and open Monday-Wednesday 4-9 p.m., Thursday and Friday 4-10 p.m., Saturday noon to 10 p.m and Sunday noon to 8 p.m. Lots of parking available. Follow Eclipse on Instagram.

We are excited to announce the 2nd annual Monsterville Jack O'Lantern Walk on Friday, October 22nd, during the Market Off Centre. Please carve and bring your own Jack O’Lantern to have it displayed along the Bike Path. The Merchantville Public Events Committee will provide a candle for each pumpkin. Enjoy shopping the market, then continue your way down the path enjoying craftily hand-carved pumpkins. Please RSVP on this event page so we have an idea how many beautiful, creative and scary Jack O'Lanterns will be lighting the path!

BOO...to you! Coming soon! A secret Monsterville tradition to surprise neighbors, classmates, friends or families with a special Halloween package on their doorstep. Before you know it "We've Been BOOed" bags will make their magical way from house to house. Halloween BOO-ing begins when one neighbor secretly leaves a small gift basket, a BOO poem, BOO instructions and a BOO sign at a neighbor's doorstep. The lucky BOO-ee is asked to post the sign near the door, alerting others that "We've Been BOO-ed!" In turn, the neighbor is asked to BOO two other homes creating a chain reaction of Halloween fun. Soon, an entire neighborhood is sporting BOO signs, and everyone is guessing who. So turn off those RING Apps Monstervillians! Anyone who gets Booed and needs copies of the BOO poem, BOO door sign or Booing instructions can pick them up between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at Monsterville Borough Hall! Enjoy these pictures of some 2019 Monsterville BOOing recipients. If you got BOOed please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.!

Monsterville 2021 kicked off on Friday, October 1st with a DIY scarecrow making fundraiser at the Merchantville Market Off Centre. Bring the kids every Friday between 5:00-9:00 p.m. to have some spooky fun at the Market! Decorate your home to win a golden broom in our annual Haunts of Monsterville contest. October 15th will feature Halloween games and creepy crafts for kids while you shop at the Market. And, Merchantville School transforms into a Haunted Movie House of Horrors on October 15th & 16th from 7:00-10:00 p.m. Are you brave enough to enter? Refreshments and raffles round out this fundraising event for the 8th Grade Class of 2022. Have you been BOOED yet? Keep an eye out - 2021 may be your year! The 2nd annual Jack O Lantern Walk will take place on Friday, October 22nd along bike path and the following week you can join in the Halloween Costume Strut during the Market. Coming soon: The Haunts of Merchantville - contest info available soon - touring maps out the week before Halloween and winners announced on November 6th. On October 30th zombies will be on the loose in Monsterville so, join in the fun at the scariest 5k run and one mile fun walk Merchantville has ever seen as runners and walkers show off their costumes around the haunted Halloween streets of Merchantville. If you aren't running stop by Grace Church's annual Fall Festival between 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monsterville events end on Halloween, Sunday, October 31st, so, get those little trick-or-treaters ready! Get up-to-date event details on the Borough website!