Ocean City Cancels Halloween Parade Due to Crowd Restrictions

OCEAN CITY, NJ — City officials and the Ocean City Exchange Club announced Thursday they have canceled the Halloween Parade. But there's still hope for trick-or-treating.

The Halloween Parade — scheduled for Oct. 29 — is a major post-summer draw for Ocean City, attracting thousands. But New Jersey outdoor gatherings cannot exceed 500 people as of Thursday.

“With N.J. Governor Phil Murphy’s strict prohibition on mass gatherings unlikely to be lifted any time soon and with so much advanced planning necessary for event participants and organizers, making the call now is the only safe decision,” Mayor Jay Gillian said in a statement.

Murphy announced Wednesday that he expects trick-or-treating can occur with certain protocols that haven't been determined. Read more: Gov. Murphy: Halloween In NJ Can Proceed Amid Coronavirus Crisis

But crowd restrictions make it unlikely that some of the more popular Halloween gatherings can take place. The Halloween parade in Toms River — one of the most prominent in New Jersey — was canceled in July. Read more: 2020 Toms River Halloween Parade Canceled Over Coronavirus

Ocean City has canceled its special events since mid-March because of the coronavirus outbreak. Halloween Parade organizers look forward to the event returning next year.

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“Having enjoyed running this parade for the past 20 years, it’s obviously disappointing not to be able to continue this wonderful community tradition in 2020,” said Parade Chairman Jeff Shirk. “But we also understand it’s better to be cautious in order to protect the health of the thousands of parade spectators, participants and volunteers."

Read more: NJ Coronavirus, Reopen Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

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