Don Swenson, president of Art Club of Hammonton, didn’t know what to expect as they presented their inaugural Hamm-O-Ween last October.
Maybe a thousand people, Art Club members guessed, would come through. That is the amount of people they see every May when they hold their Hammonton Arts & Music Festival.
Members were pleasantly surprised when more than double the amount of people came through.
“We clocked about 3,500 people,” Swenson said. “It was a tremendous response.”
Each person who came down Horton Street was given a glow bracelet. That is how Art Club members were able to gauge the crowd.
This year Art Club of Hammonton in collaboration with MainStreet Hammonton presented their second Hamm-O-Ween: A Night of Artistic Mischief on Oct. 3 with a circus/carnival theme surrounding “The Fool” Tarot Card.
Members created a playground for the “weird and wonderful.” Community members were invited to step into a world where creativity collided with the creepy from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Hamm-O-Ween – a strange, spectacular celebration filled with unexpected performances, creepy crafts, and ghostly delights – asserts that memories are made in moonlight.
The night included 42 vendors, two food trucks, 10 tents full of games and crafts, photo op areas, and amazing performances.
Hamm-O-Ween returned to downtown Hammonton for a second year, transforming Horton Street into a playground for the “weird and wonderful” with vendors, performances, costumes, crafts and plenty of spooky fun.
Allegory Dance Theatre and Majik Mike kicked off with performances. Lady White Rat – a hard rock power trip from the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania region – returned to the main stage with fire spinning with Groovin’ Embers.
The night included a kids and adult costume contest. The kids’ costume contest was held earlier in the night, Swenson said.
“Most costumes entered [last year] were handmade,” Swenson said. “The amount of artistry that went into the costumes was amazing.”
The Art Club of Hammonton’s mission is to activate the art curious, unleash their creativity, and engage in event-driven initiatives. The club aims to inspire, connect and develop a community that encourages artistic growth and collaboration, according to its website.
For more information about Hamm-O-Ween visit https://www.facebook.com/share/19n8HwUSDT/
Don’t miss out on upcoming fall downtown events:
Oct. 17 – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Grab a teammate and let the bags fly at the second annual Downtown Hammonton Amateur Cornament at 11 Lincoln Street in Downtown Hammonton! Teams of two will compete in a round robin cornhole tournament for cash prizes and bragging rights, with check in beginning at 11 a.m. and bags flying at noon. Every registered player will receive an event T-shirt, a pair of Knockaround sunglasses, and a swag bag filled with goodies, coupons, and more just for signing up! The event is free for spectators,, and anyone can take part in cornhole skill challenges throughout the event. Enjoy a beer garden, food trucks, music, and plenty of Downtown fun while you watch the competition. Proceeds benefit MainStreet Hammonton and its work supporting and improving Downtown Hammonton. Team registration is open through October 10 at downtownhammonton.com/cornament2026. Day of registration may be available if space allows, but tournament spots and player bags are not guaranteed after the deadline.
Oct. 24 – 2-4 p.m. – Celebrate 20 years of Downtown Hammonton Trick or Treat throughout Downtown Hammonton! Bring the whole family Downtown for an afternoon of trick or treating, costume contests, music, games, crafts, activities, and more. Local businesses and organizations will be set up throughout Downtown handing out candy and welcoming families, while Downtown shops and restaurants will be open for trick or treaters to visit along the way. To celebrate its 20th anniversary, students from Hammonton High School are creating a special Halloween photo opportunity, with all materials generously provided by Peter Lumber. Costume contests will include categories for kids, adults, groups, and pets, with registration beginning at 2 p.m. at Bellevue and Central Avenues. Rain date is Oct. 25.
MainStreet Hammonton is a nationally accredited Main Street organization committed to preserving the unique character of downtown Hammonton while driving its economic vitality. Through partnerships, events, and initiatives, the organization works to make downtown Hammonton a destination for residents, visitors, and businesses alike.
For more information about MainStreet Hammonton and its upcoming initiatives, visit downtownhammonton.com or follow them on their social media platforms.
