'Carnival Link-Up' Shuts Down Middlesex Carnival, State Police Called

MIDDLESEX BOROUGH, NJ — Middlesex borough had to close its volunteer firefighters' carnival early last weekend — and call in state troopers to disperse crowds — after an estimated 6,000 people showed up as word of the carnival spread on social media.

"Crowd size on Friday night, including all entrants and those waiting on lines or arriving into the area, is estimated to be 5,000-6,000 people, which was an unprecedented number," said Middlesex Police Lt. Thomas Falk.

He said the department is continuing to investigate who broadcast the carnival on social media.

The annual Middlesex Fire Department Carnival was held last Friday and Saturday, April 26 and 27, on the grounds of Middlesex High School. However, word about a "Carnival Link-up Pt. 2" spread on Instagram and other social media sites. You can see an ad for "Carnival Link-up" here.

This is the same phrase used in the "Beach Link-up" mass gatherings of teens advertised on social media two summers ago, telling teens from across New Jersey to come to Long Branch, Point Pleasant and Seaside Heights. In June 2022, approximately 5,000 young people descended on Pier Village in Long Branch, where bloody fistfights broke out and drag racing occurred. People also danced on top of a police car, and smashed its windows. Young people were told to "BWOW bring your own weed, BWOL bring your own liquor."

Middlesex Police said they had to shut the carnival down early both Friday and Saturday nights due to the sheer number of people waiting to get in, and fights breaking out as people waited in line.

"After an unprecedented crowd arrived to attend the carnival on Friday, April 26, the police department ordered the closure of the carnival grounds," said Middlesex Police on Facebook. "The carnival, which was scheduled to operate until 11:00 p.m., was ordered closed at 8:35 p.m. when an overwhelming volume of people waiting to enter, coupled with the attendees in the park and reports of minor disturbances, posed a threat to public safety."

Middlesex Police even had to call in police from neighboring towns Friday night and NJ State Troopers also "responded and assisted with crowd control," said Police Chief Matthew Geist.

"The crowd was dispersed from the immediate area without incident," said Geist. "No injuries were reported and there were no arrests made."

Contrary to rumors on social media, there were no gunshots or weapons used inside or around the carnival grounds, said Geist.

In June 2022, police identified six men, from Newark, Tinton Falls and elsewhere, responsible for advertising the "link-up" parties on Instagram. All six men were sued by the city of Long Branch and ordered by a judge to post that the beach link-ups were canceled.

Long Branch Sues 6 New Jersey Men For Promoting Mass Pop-Up Parties (June 2022)

Long Branch, Point Beach Still Bracing For Mass Parties (June 2022)