The 16th annual Operation Halloween will be held on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 23 and 24 at the Citta Scout Reservation in Barnegat Township from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Event coordinator Peter Bemke said that while the main purpose of Operation Halloween is to provide a wholesome family fun activity, groups are welcome to utilize this event as a fundraiser by distributing discount coupons or sponsoring a booth for selling items and providing an activity.
The $20 entry fee ($15 with a coupon from any of dozens of participating businesses and nonprofit groups) includes entry to Pumpkin Street, which features inflatables, the hay maze, hay ride, live music and entertainment. There are also several food concessions. The hayride leaves the Pumpkin Street area from 4 to 6:45 p.m. and will make a stop at the Pumpkin Patch located deep in the forest, so children can find their own pumpkin.
Once it gets dark, around 7 p.m., the excitement moves to the Terror in the Pines, one of the scariest Halloween attractions in New Jersey.
“It is not for the faint-hearted and is one of the scariest haunts on the East Coast,” said Bemke. “The cast and crew have won many awards and receive many accolades for their presentation and performance.”
All proceeds from the admission fee go to the scores of nonprofits participating in the promotion, production and support of the event.
In addition, volunteers are needed for set-up, cleanup, make-up artists and construction workers.
Tickets are available through various Southern Ocean County organizations including Boy Scout troops 23 and 26, Habitat for Humanity of the Jersey Shore, Cub Scout Pack 26, Rotary Club of Forked River, Rotary Club of Southern Ocean, Great Bay Rotary, Barnegat Rotary and the MATES Interact Club.
