Screams echo through the trees, mysterious figures emerge from the darkness, and a trolley carries brave visitors into a world of unexpected frights. Welcome to Forever Forest, where Halloween has become more than a holiday. It’s an experience.
What began as a Christmas-themed attraction inspired by Hallmark movies has evolved into one of the region’s growing destinations for spooky seasonal entertainment.
With haunted adventures, elaborate sets, live scare actors, family-friendly activities and an atmosphere that blends small-town charm with theatrical thrills, Forever Forest is carving out its own place in South Jersey’s Halloween scene.
For owner Emil Polito, the attraction’s success has been an unexpected second act following a 45-year career on Wall Street.
About nine years ago, Polito retired and purchased a South Jersey farm with a farmhouse he had admired for years. At the time, he had no intention of becoming an entertainment entrepreneur.
He didn’t even realize the property had operated as a Christmas tree farm.
After purchasing the property, Polito agreed to allow a relative of the previous owner to rent the land and continue selling Christmas trees. Watching the operation unfold convinced him there was an opportunity to do something different.
Inspired by his love of Christmas and the picture-perfect holiday settings depicted in Hallmark movies, he envisioned transforming the farm into a winter wonderland.
The concept took off almost immediately. Polito recalled that approximately 7,000 people visited during the first season, despite the property lacking much of the infrastructure necessary to accommodate large crowds.
The overwhelming response forced him to make improvements, develop a more organized operation and eventually establish the Forever Forest brand.
Initially, the attraction was a family affair, with Polito, his brother and other relatives pitching in to create the holiday experience. But as attendance grew, the demands of running the attraction became increasingly substantial.
Then came the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rather than risk exposing young visitors and families, Polito chose to close the attraction for two seasons. When the business reopened, rebuilding its momentum presented another challenge.
That’s when his brother, Anthony, proposed an entirely new direction. Halloween. What began as an experiment would eventually transform the future of Forever Forest.
Now celebrating its fourth Halloween season, Forever Forest has developed into a destination for thrill-seekers and families alike.
The attraction, located at 354 Bremen Avenue in Egg Harbor City, occupies a 15-acre property near Renault Winery. Its Halloween programming transforms the Christmas tree farm into a landscape of fog, frightening characters, themed entertainment and interactive adventures.
Among its signature experiences are the Trolley of Terror and a haunted maze, where visitors encounter animatronics, costumed performers and plenty of surprises.
The maze is particularly elaborate, incorporating theatrical scenery, mechanical creatures and live actors who lurk around corners, waiting for the perfect opportunity to startle unsuspecting guests.
For visitors, the experience is part haunted attraction and part outdoor adventure. The farm’s wooded surroundings provide a natural backdrop for the scares, while the changing autumn weather adds another layer of atmosphere.
The attraction has also earned a listing on The Scare Factor, a national directory dedicated to haunted houses, trails and Halloween entertainment. The website categorizes Forever Forest as a destination offering multiple haunts, a haunted maze and a haunted ride.
Behind much of the spooky spectacle is Polito’s brother, Anthony, a carpenter whose skills have helped transform the property into an elaborate seasonal attraction. “My brother is the mastermind,” Polito said.
According to Polito, Anthony builds and stages the attractions, bringing the Halloween concepts to life through hands-on construction and creative design.
The brothers bring different strengths to the operation. While Polito’s background is in finance and business, Anthony provides much of the artistic and technical work that makes the attractions possible.
Halloween has proven to be especially popular. Polito said that last year’s Halloween season generated three times the gross sales of the Christmas attraction, an impressive development considering that Christmas had been the farm’s primary focus for years.
“Halloween started doing better than Christmas,” he said.
While the scares may draw visitors through the gates, Polito believes Forever Forest’s biggest selling point is its atmosphere.
Rather than operating like a traditional haunted house where guests wait in line, walk through an attraction and immediately leave, Forever Forest encourages families to explore the property and enjoy multiple activities during their visit.
Polito describes his vision as a boutique experience, emphasizing personal attention, entertainment and affordability. “I don’t want to have people come here and just feel like they’re being rushed to do something,” he said.
To accomplish that goal, Forever Forest has expanded beyond its original attractions to include three themed barns, each offering something different.
One barn provides creative activities, including face painting, pottery and coloring. Another, which serves as a magic studio during the Christmas season, transforms into a karaoke space for Halloween, complete with music and entertainment.
A third barn serves as a recreational and photo-friendly area, offering games, activities and opportunities for private parties.
Visitors can also enjoy miniature golf, while additional entertainment includes a DJ and palm reading. Among the trees are bonfire areas, where families can make smores.
These attractions provide opportunities for guests to socialize, explore and enjoy themselves between the main Halloween experiences.
For parents bringing children, that variety can make a significant difference. Younger visitors can enjoy the festive atmosphere and hands-on activities without necessarily participating in the more intense nighttime scares.
Forever Forest has previously offered separate daytime family sessions and nighttime experiences geared toward teenagers and adults. Its daytime programming has featured decorated trolley rides, pumpkin painting, crafts and seasonal entertainment, while the nighttime attractions have included haunted trails, mazes and live scare actors.
The result is an attraction that appeals to a broader audience than traditional haunted houses.
Families can enjoy a fall outing, couples can plan a spooky date night, and groups of friends can challenge one another to brave the darker corners of the property.
For Polito, creating those memories is just as important as delivering a good scare.
The popularity of Forever Forest’s Halloween experience has presented a welcome challenge for its owners: accommodating the crowds.
During a recent October evening, Polito reported that approximately 600 guests visited the farm, significantly exceeding the attendance he typically plans for during individual sessions.
He generally caps attendance at 350 people per shift to maintain a comfortable experience.
However, the number of visitors arriving that evening prompted staff to accommodate additional guests. “People just started showing up,” Polito said.
The turnout was particularly notable because it was only the fourth operating night of the Halloween season. One of the attraction’s earlier scheduled nights had been canceled because of rain.
With Halloween still weeks away, Polito expects demand to continue growing as more families and thrill-seekers make their seasonal plans.
The increased attendance has also highlighted areas where the operation may need improvements. Polito said he is considering changes to the timing of admission sessions and potentially adding another trolley to reduce wait times.
“But I don’t like that people wait too long,” he said.
It’s a balancing act for an attraction that has grown significantly in a relatively short period.
Unlike large amusement parks with extensive staffing and infrastructure, Forever Forest operates on a smaller scale, relying on the creativity and dedication of its owners and employees.
As attendance increases, the challenge is preserving the intimate, family-oriented atmosphere that helped establish its reputation.
Polito said the business reinvests in improvements each year, gradually expanding its offerings and enhancing the visitor experience. That approach has allowed Forever Forest to establish an identity in a region with no shortage of Halloween entertainment.
What started as one man’s Hallmark-inspired retirement project has become a place where Christmas magic and Halloween nightmares share the same address. And judging by the crowds, South Jersey is embracing both.
