Nine years ago we were exposed to the Halloween magic that takes place on Thompson Street in Bordentown, NJ. For years the house near the corner with the fenced in yard facing the street spearheaded the transformation. Through a news report I learned they used to work backstage with professional theaters. The decorations were enormous, extending over the street. Nearly everyone participated. One of the men had a connection to a Mummers organization, hence Mummers paraded up and down this tiny street crammed with tiny houses that used to belong to fishermen. Talking to one of the neighbors this week he said in the heyday they had a band on either end of the street.
We returned in 2016, 2017, and 2018. Then the organizers decided to take a year off for kitchen renovations. In 2020, it was deemed unsafe to gather that many people together, even though the event was held outdoors. 2021 was another off year. It returned in 2022 with an under the sea theme. It was cancelled again in 2023.
Last week one of the neighbors told us the street still wanted to keep the tradition alive, even if the head organizers were not up for it due to health concerns. The street chose a Tim Burton theme. They hope to return fully in 2025. For now, many of the decorations were the same store bought posters of Jack and Sally from Nightmare Before Christmas. At least one person brought out their Alice in Wonderland decorations, likely from the year they had a Wonderland theme.
I applaud them for bonding together to do something fun for the greater community. After all, after living here nearly a quarter of a century, I only know a few neighbors, and not that well.
Here are our pictures:
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