Mount Laurel community is ‘spooktacular’ for the season

Mount Laurel Township will announce the winners of the annual Spooktacular House Decorating Contest at council’s Monday, Nov. 16, meeting. Entries will be judged on curb appeal. Indoor decorations will not be included unless they can be viewed from the outside i.e. windows, doors, etc. All entries must be decorated by 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 25, and must include lights/illumination and be in good taste and family oriented.

The contest started in 2022 after township staff noticed how many residents eagerly decorated their homes in anticipation of Halloween. For the 2027 contest, a registration form showing intent to participate must be completed, signed and submitted to Communications Director Ashlyn Grisetti-Bath at agrisetti@mountlaurel.com. The entry form can be found on the township website or hard copies can be completed and dropped off or mailed to Attn: Ashlyn Grisetti at 100 Mount Laurel Road, Mount Laurel, NJ, 08054. Participants can give their entry a fun name like Haunted Mansion (which has been previously used). Once all the entries are gathered by Grisetti-Bath, council members Fozia Janjua, Nikitas Moustakas, Rev. Dr. Curtis Green, Deputy Mayor Silvia Catalan-Culnan and Mayor Mayor Stephen Steglik will go out and judge the houses on four categories: Best Use of Theme; Most Creative; Best Classic; and Mayor’s Choice. To compete, participants must live in Mount Laurel.

Mount Laurel Day also topped off the month of October on the 18th. The Halloween-themed festival featured live music, more than 20 food trucks and free activities for children that included face painting, balloon animals, bounce houses, henna tattoos, a petting zoo and pony rides. Crafters and community organizations including the township’s police, fire and emergency medical services departments also participated.

Upcoming holiday festivities include the Christmas Tree Lighting and Hanukkah Menorah Lighting Ceremony with Rabbi Amy Memis-Foler from Adath Emanu-El at 118 Creek Road outside Creek Mercantile in the Rancocas Woods area on Monday, Dec. 7, at 5:30 p.m. Santa will arrive on a fire truck to help light the tree at 6 p.m. Guests can expect holiday shopping, entertainment, free treats and free photos with Santa and character appearances by the Grinch throughout the evening. The township’s annual Deck the House Contest will kick off that same month. Entry rules are the same and the registration form will also be available online.

“These are fun things to really get in the holiday spirit,” Grisetti-Bath said. “Yes, these events are for Mount Laurel residents, but they’re also for the community. The more the merrier.”

For updates on holiday events, visit www.mountlaurel.com or the township’s social media pages.