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New Neighbors Keep Old Halloween Traditions Alive On Clinton Place In Hackensack (Photos)

A neighborhood with a sense of community was paramount to Chris and Ryan McAllister when searching for a home.

Ryan McAllister was putting the final touches on his Halloween decorations when Daily Voice stopped by Thursday afternoon, Oct. 31.

Ryan McAllister was putting the final touches on his Halloween decorations when Daily Voice stopped by Thursday afternoon, Oct. 31.

Photo Credit: Cecilia Levine
The McAllisters' lawn, a nod to Smith's original balcony spider.

The McAllisters' lawn, a nod to Smith's original balcony spider.

Photo Credit: Cecilia Levine
Scenes from Clinton Place, Halloween 2024.

Scenes from Clinton Place, Halloween 2024.

Photo Credit: Cecilia Levine
Scenes from Clinton Place, Halloween 2024.

Scenes from Clinton Place, Halloween 2024.

Photo Credit: Cecilia Levine
Scenes from Clinton Place, Halloween 2024.

Scenes from Clinton Place, Halloween 2024.

Photo Credit: Cecilia Levine
Scenes from Clinton Place, Halloween 2024.

Scenes from Clinton Place, Halloween 2024.

Photo Credit: Cecilia Levine
Scenes from Clinton Place, Halloween 2024.

Scenes from Clinton Place, Halloween 2024.

Photo Credit: Cecilia Levine
Scenes from Clinton Place, Halloween 2024.

Scenes from Clinton Place, Halloween 2024.

Photo Credit: Cecilia Levine
Scenes from Clinton Place, Halloween 2024.

Scenes from Clinton Place, Halloween 2024.

Photo Credit: Cecilia Levine
Scenes from Clinton Place, Halloween 2024.

Scenes from Clinton Place, Halloween 2024.

Photo Credit: Cecilia Levine
Scenes from Clinton Place, Halloween 2024.

Scenes from Clinton Place, Halloween 2024.

Photo Credit: Cecilia Levine
Scenes from Clinton Place, Halloween 2024.

Scenes from Clinton Place, Halloween 2024.

Photo Credit: Cecilia Levine

They certainly got that when they moved onto Clinton Place in Hackensack, three years ago.

The street has become quite well-known for its Halloween traditions. Each year, the street in the Fairmount District gets hundreds of trick-or-treaters, and almost every house decorates for Halloween.

The home that the McAllisters moved into happens to be an important piece of history when it comes to Halloween on Clinton Place.

Years ago, the home was occupied by a man named Walter Smith, who would dangle a massive spider from his balcony, dropping it on trick-or-treaters as they left.

When the next owner, Ellyn Ward, came to see the property about 15 years ago, Smith's spider was resting on the balcony.

Her real estate agent was very clear.

"'This street is the Halloween street,'" Ward told Daily Voice in 2018, quoting the agent. "'You don't have to participate but if you choose not to, I don't know how people will respond.'"

The McAllitsers have participated in the Halloween festivities every year. But not because they have to.

"There are people who don't do it, and that's find, but we have been doing it," McAllister said, noting the Wards left him and Chris some of their old Halloween decorations. "We love it. It promotes a sense of community."

It seems fewer and fewer houses are participating with every passing year, but the trick-or-treaters are still showing up in droves.

Trick-or-treating on Clinton Place starts around 5 p.m.

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