Monsterville

MERCHANTVILLE’S Monsterville

BY JASMINE FARRELL

In 2016, Merchantville, NJ launched Monsterville, an experience in honor of Halloween. Since then, a boatload of events and Halloween magic have been added to enhance the overall experience of Monsterville. “We are a welcoming community and Monsterville really gives us a chance to show that to visitors,” said Rebecca Callaway, the Director of Community Development in Merchantville.

Merchantville Market Off Centre, Merchantville’s farmer’s market, offers various events leading up to Halloween. A group of residents came together and finetuned the cluster of events. The Mayor, Ted Brennan, realized that the residents of Merchantville adore Halloween so he decided to make the festivities a monthlong experience. Monsterville was planted with sturdy roots which include ordinances to adopt that every year, from October 1st through 31st, Merchantville is officially renamed Monsterville. Borough signs, highway greetings, etc will all read Monsterville all month long.

“It’s become a huge part of the culture of the town and something that our residents are proud to be a part of and energized around it. They look forward to it every year,” Callaway mentions.

Callaway, along with the Public Events Committee and the Markets off Centre team come together to continue planning and curating the Monsterville events. The Merchantville Business and Professional Association also contributes heavily to the festivities. festivities.

The Association takes part in the annual Haunts of Monsterville decorating contest by decking out their storefronts to fully transform Merchantville to Monsterville throughout the downtown. They have dedicated time for trick or treaters to visit the downtown businesses and host annual Monsterville events including Aradia’s Treasures’ Mystery and Magic in

please see MONSTER, page 9

Monsterville and the Monsterville Zombie Run hosted by The Gaskill family, owners of Gaskill-Brown Funeral Home. When asked about her favorite part of Monsterville, Callaway replied with: “Halloween itself in Merchantville. The trick or treating is iconic here. You’ve got these beautiful tree-lined streets with Victorian homes and the setting of it is something out of a movie. We welcome thousands of trick-or-treaters … I do love the Haunts of Monsterville and seeing the creativity of the neighbors. What they come up with...building entire scenes and castles… it’s just incredible. The whole month has so much good energy. It’s an experience. You come to town for any of our events and there is unmistakable energy that sums up what Merchantville is. We are really a welcoming community and Monsterville really gives us a chance to show that to visitors.”

The Haunts of Monsterville Home Decorating Contest is one of the most popular spectacles during this time of year. There are four categories that residents can compete in and, as the years have passed, Callaway mentions that the decorations have become more elaborate every year. The winner from each category receives a golden broomstick and a gift card during a special ceremony. After Haunts of Monsterville, Market Off Centre attracts residents and visitors between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m., to support local farmers and vendors. Then, on Oct. 15 and Oct. 16, Merchantville Monster Craft and Fine Art Festival will take place at Centre and Chestnut Streets. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. patrons can observe, adore

MONSTER continued from page 8 and purchase from over 100 juried artists, crafters and antique dealers throughout the downtown area. A new potential resident favorite has been added to this year’s festivities with the debut of Haunts of Merchantville Hayrides, which will take place on Oct. 28 and the 29 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Check out the Haunts of Merchantville Home Decorating Contest entries and vote for your favorite homes. There is a fee to enjoy the hayride however, the price was not available at the time this article was written. Don’t miss out on this month-long experience in Merchantville. Halloween lovers, make sure to bring your best costume, wallets and pumpkin-flavored taste buds to Monsterville. 

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Whether you call it the growth horizon, nostalgia, or rose colored lenses - there’s no comparing the love of selling your hometown! Rooted in history and rich in architecture, charm and character, Merchantville homes present such beautiful features throughout each property, that selling them gives The Erin Lewandowski Team that extra special feeling. Blending personal experiences, memories and current relevance into their showings and open houses, they truly create a magical experience every time.

It’s no wonder Erin decided early on to follow in the footsteps of her mother Theresa Krouse, an absolute ace in the Merchantville real estate market from the late 80s through the early 2000s. Building a team of local talented agents has also been key to ensuring Erin keeps her finger on the pulse of local businesses and landmarks, they so often love to highlight in their listing details. From turn of the century homes to full rehabilitations, it’s important to this team to showcase the best of this town for future generations to preserve!

Thank you to all of the present and past owners for your unwavering support and consistent referrals! As a 4th generation MES alum, it’s such joy to share my love of this town with everyone I have the pleasure of meeting. 5 of my team, have all grown up or currently reside in Merchantville - and it’s quite the experience if you catch us all at an open house together. Stay well! Erin

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