It may be Halloween, but a lot of New Jersey residents dug out the summer beachwear and lounge chairs for what could be the last 80-degree day at the Jersey Shore until next spring.
“I think I’ve been out walking for three hours now and it feels great,” said Jeff Stokes, of Asbury Park. “I really didn’t feel it being Halloween until I saw people in toga costumes."
Call it a trick – or a treat – record-breaking temperatures left Asbury Park feeling like June.
“Did you have Halloween on the beach on your 2024 bingo card this year?” asked News 12’s Jim Murdoch.
“No, 80 degrees - I have to come here. I’m a big beach person all my life,” said Ron Gale, who traveled to Asbury Park from Hoboken.
Enjoying this spooky sunshine means doing it in a hurry. Compared to June, Asbury Park on Halloween sees about 4 1/2 hours less daylight.
“The only difference is you don’t see the people. Typically, on a summer day, you’d see thousands and thousands of people. Hopefully, this will bring some people out for Halloween,” said Stokes.
Robinson Ale House server Amina Jahic dressed as Debbie Jellinsky from “Addams Family Values,” and server Victor Castaneda dressed as a biblical character. Both say weather like this is great for business.
“It’s definitely odd. It's not something we are used to, walking outside on Halloween without a jacket,” said Jahic.
“It’s not typical. We have been getting some great crowds even during the week. Our business depends on if it’s nice enough to set a chair on that sand, so we’ve been getting filled up here,” said Castaneda.
Temperatures are expected to remain in the upper-70s for Friday with a cooldown expected by the beginning of next week.