Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, and Asbury Park has a full afternoon planned for families before the evening crowds arrive.
The City of Asbury Park holds its Trunk or Treat on Saturday, October 31, from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM in the City Hall parking lot at 1 Municipal Plaza. Kids in costume can collect candy from decorated cars, and prizes go to the best decorated car and the best costume. Residents who want to host a trunk or donate candy can reach the recreation department at recreation@asburypark.gov or 732-502-5759.
The same day, the 10th Annual Asbury Park PorchFest turns two dozen front porches into small stages for a free day of live music. The festival was postponed from its original weekend after organizers consulted city officials and police about downed power lines, and it landed on Halloween. Music runs from noon to 4:00 PM, according to the organizers, with an opening event at The Asbury Hotel, 210 Fifth Avenue, at 11:00 AM. Porches are spread across First through Sixth Avenues and streets including Asbury, Atkins, Lake and Summerfield Avenues. The full porch map is posted at apporchfest.org, and November 7 is the rain date.
On the oceanfront, Palmetto Southern Kitchen and Bar at 1000 Ocean Avenue sets up three trick-or-treat stations inside the restaurant from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Kids eat dinner free when an adult orders an entree.
The city had not posted trick-or-treat hours or Halloween safety guidance for Saturday evening as of Thursday.
