S'More To Love
We're counting down the days until S'more to Love in Merchantville this Saturday, February 12th from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Join us at Centre and Chestnut Streets to warm up by the fire and enjoy s'mores, Valentine crafts, Lady and the Tramp movie and Shop Merchantville for last minute gifts and treats! Celebrate valentine's Day with friends and family locally! #shopmerchantville
2021 Haunts Winners
MPD Hiring
Mayor's Message, 2/3/22
Mayor Ted Brennan shares a two-minute video for a quick Borough update on coming events, new restaurants and the opportunity to give your input on the downtown in a new survey. And, don't forget to sign up for The Borough Brief so you can follow weekly news in town via our e-newsletter.
Scary Sun-Maid House
According to Food & Wine Magazine, even the raisin specialists at Sun-Maid realize that — as good as their product may be the other 364 days of the year — it's the last thing most kids want to see on Halloween so, Sun-Maid has set up up a tongue-in-cheek "Raisin House" that embraces kid's fear of the shriveled grapes. Located in Merchantville, New Jersey, Sun-Maid's Raisin House currently features plenty of raisin-themed Halloween decorations visitors can view from outside. The Jersey town has an annual tradition of rebranding as "Monsterville" in honor of Halloween, which inspired Sun-Maid to take over the Perno's house at 3 East Cedar Avenue for their own house of raisin horrors. Trick-or-treaters will be able to walk up to the front door of the house and take Sun-Maid snacks from an "interactive hand sampling wall" and one part of the house "will be turned into a 'scare corridor' where zombies dressed in red bonnets will hand out samples at the end — a place for you to confess your rai-sins."
Monsterville's Roots
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.
{pdf=https://www.merchantville.com/images/pdf/2021/clipping_86825969.pdf|100%|300|google}