By Donald Wittkowski
Shortly before 7 p.m. Friday, the streets of Sea Isle City were as quiet as a cemetery.
Then, just a few minutes later, some creepy things began to stir.
First, some ghosts showed up. Then some goblins. Some ghouls, too.
Suddenly, Sea Isle City became Scream Isle City.
With all sorts of spooky creatures shuffling along like zombies, Landis Avenue took on the frighteningly fun atmosphere of an episode of “The Walking Dead” during Sea Isle’s ever-popular Halloween Parade.
Throughout the night, there were cheers, laughter and plenty of screams from thousands of spectators lining the sidewalks as the spectacle unfolded at 7 p.m. on Landis between 47th Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard in the heart of downtown.
Theresa and Chris Jerussi, of Arlington, Va., made a four-hour drive up to Sea Isle on Friday so that their children, 4-year-old twins Bobby and Joey, and daughter, Nora, 3, could enjoy the parade.
“We love this parade. We come every year,” Theresa Jerussi said. “We pulled the kids out of preschool early today so we could make it on time here from Arlington.”
The Jerussis have a summer home in Sea Isle on 39th Street. Theresa Jerussi noted that she has been vacationing in Sea Isle ever since she was 3 years old, basically the same age as all of her children are now.
The family plans to make this weekend a seashore getaway in Sea Isle, with the Halloween Parade and Saturday’s Oktoberfest celebration in Excursion Park serving as the big draws.
The Jerussi children were all dressed in costumes for the parade. Bobby was Batman, Joey was Spiderman and Nora was a cat.
“You like the Batmobile, right?” Theresa Jerussi said to Batman-attired Bobby, who responded with an enthusiastic “Yeah!”
But something else was on Bobby’s mind during the parade. He and Joey said they were planning to scoop up as much candy as they could. One of the favorite traditions of the Halloween Parade is for marchers to toss sweet treats to the spectators.
“I’m going to get a lot of candy,” Bobby exclaimed.
“Yes, lots of candy,” Joey added.
Sea Isle Councilwoman Mary Tighe said the parade’s family-friendly atmosphere ensures a big turnout every year, particularly among local residents and their children.
“It’s everybody who loves Sea Isle,” Tighe said. “It’s the hometown effect.”
Organizers couldn’t say exactly how many years Sea Isle has had the parade, but estimated that it has been at least 30.
Amanda and Aaron Palermo, of Seaville, brought their children, daughter Adley, 10, and son August, 6, to the parade for the first time. Adley was dressed as a Harry Potter character, while August was wearing a Bowser costume from the Super Mario Bros. franchise.
August was thoroughly enjoying the parade, especially when the marchers threw an assortment of candy his way as he stood on the curb.
“Candy!” he yelled as he grabbed a handful.
The parade also featured colorful floats inching down Landis Avenue. Sea Isle police cars, fire trucks and ambulances flashed their lights and blared their horns and sirens to the delight of spectators.
The Original Hobo Band from Pitman, N.J., and the Mummers Pennsport String Band from Philadelphia serenaded the crowds with lively music to keep everyone dancing in the streets.
After the parade wrapped up, the celebration continued with a Halloween dance party in Excursion Park. Mickey Mouse and other Disney characters were among the headliners providing the entertainment during both the parade and the dance party.
With apologies to Mickey Mouse, though, he wasn’t nearly as scary as the ghosts, ghouls and goblins who made this night a monstrously good time.
