Toms River South Students Paint The Town Spooky For Halloween

If you pass through downtown Toms River today, you'll notice dozens of students working hard to get the town in the Halloween mood in a tradition that goes back decades.

This is the 70th year that Toms River South art students have taken to the streets of the town ahead of the Halloween parade to decorate storefronts.

Art teacher Lauren Patelunas told me that discussions for the annual displays start literally on the first day of the school year, as teachers start to plan.

Over a period of a few weeks, student submit their best fall and Halloween themed designs, and a group of teachers pick the best to go up on parade day.

This year, 93 students will spend the afternoon applying their original artwork for all to enjoy when the town fills up for tonight's 78th annual Halloween parade.

There is a great variety of themes and designs that the talented students have put their hearts into designing and applying, so get photos while you can! The individual works of art will stay on display for the day and parade night, but they will disappear almost as quickly as they went up!