HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (Warren County) — A festive crowd gathered in downtown Hackettstown on Saturday for the 12th Annual Halloween Downtown Parade, featuring costumes, candy, music, and family fun.
Mayor Jerry DiMaio led the parade alongside the Hackettstown Police Department and the costume contest winners, marking what organizers described as one of the largest turnouts in the event’s history.
Mars Wrigley, Wanderlust World Destinations, and the Hackettstown BID donated prizes for the costume contest winners, while Mars Wrigley also provided candy for everyone attending the event. Vermella supplied trick-or-treat bags, Donaldson Farms donated pumpkins, and Delloons contributed balloons to the celebration.
WRNJ was also on hand giving away items to attendees.
This year’s costume contest winners were:
Infant to 3 years old: Archie, 14 months, of Long Valley, dressed as a pirate.
Ages 4 to 6: Mackenzie, 5, of Hackettstown, dressed as a robot.
Ages 7 to 10: Analise, 7, of Hackettstown, dressed as a balloon pumpkin.
Family: The Godding family of White Township, dressed as Mary Poppins.
Pet: Rocky, 4, of Great Meadows, dressed as a chicken.
Organizers thanked everyone who helped make the day a success and said planning is already underway for next year’s celebration. With Halloween falling on a Saturday in 2026, the parade will take place that day.
The event was sponsored by the Hackettstown Police Department, Town of Hackettstown, Mars Wrigley, Hackettstown Business Improvement District (BID), Centenary University, and WRNJ Radio.
