SALEM - The Halloween capital of the world is getting ready.
Ready for the scary costumes, the face makeup and the crowds - estimated by police to be "well over 100,000 people" - expected to descend on the Witch City tomorrow.
"I'm the only guy in town without a crystal ball," Parking Director Jim Hacker said, "but I expect we'll be very busy because the weather's supposed to be very good."
Unseasonably mild temperatures, which could surpass 60 degrees, are expected to draw a steady stream of visitors from morning until night. They'll have plenty to keep them busy: live music, carnival rides, fireworks and, of course, the traditional spectacle of outrageous and ridiculous costumes.
Police, meanwhile, intend to keep a family-friendly atmosphere and to close the downtown after the fireworks display over the North River.
"Come early during the day, enjoy yourself, stay for the fireworks, but be prepared to go at 10:30," Salem police Capt. Brian Gilligan said. "We're basically going to shut down the inner part of the city."
All day long, the city will host a wide variety of events, from the festive to the bizarre.
Games and food vendors will be open at Salem Common at 10 a.m., and about a half-dozen carnival rides will operate on Derby Street beginning at noon.
Bands will perform live all day and at night at the Museum Place Mall and, after the sun goes down, in the Front Street parking lot and in front of Old Town Hall.
Outside the Salem Wax Museum on New Derby Street, a disc jockey will spin tunes and revelers can compete in a Halloween costume contest. Another disc jockey will set up shop on Hawthorne Boulevard.
Around 10 p.m., city planners hope to organize a procession, moving the crowd away from the downtown toward the North River overpass, where fireworks will be launched from Furlong Park.
That, police say, will mark the end of Halloween in the Witch City.
"In years past, people have experienced some difficulty coming to grips with the fact it ends at 10:30," Gilligan said. "There's been difficulty getting that message across, and that may be due to the fact there were no real signs or events that conveyed the message. Our hope is the fireworks send that message."
Just in case there's lingering confusion, police will be stationed throughout the downtown, backed by officers from the Sheriff's Department, several North Shore police departments, even some horse-mounted police from Boston.
Ready for the scary costumes, the face makeup and the crowds - estimated by police to be "well over 100,000 people" - expected to descend on the Witch City tomorrow.
"I'm the only guy in town without a crystal ball," Parking Director Jim Hacker said, "but I expect we'll be very busy because the weather's supposed to be very good."
Unseasonably mild temperatures, which could surpass 60 degrees, are expected to draw a steady stream of visitors from morning until night. They'll have plenty to keep them busy: live music, carnival rides, fireworks and, of course, the traditional spectacle of outrageous and ridiculous costumes.
Police, meanwhile, intend to keep a family-friendly atmosphere and to close the downtown after the fireworks display over the North River.
"Come early during the day, enjoy yourself, stay for the fireworks, but be prepared to go at 10:30," Salem police Capt. Brian Gilligan said. "We're basically going to shut down the inner part of the city."
All day long, the city will host a wide variety of events, from the festive to the bizarre.
Games and food vendors will be open at Salem Common at 10 a.m., and about a half-dozen carnival rides will operate on Derby Street beginning at noon.
Bands will perform live all day and at night at the Museum Place Mall and, after the sun goes down, in the Front Street parking lot and in front of Old Town Hall.
Outside the Salem Wax Museum on New Derby Street, a disc jockey will spin tunes and revelers can compete in a Halloween costume contest. Another disc jockey will set up shop on Hawthorne Boulevard.
Around 10 p.m., city planners hope to organize a procession, moving the crowd away from the downtown toward the North River overpass, where fireworks will be launched from Furlong Park.
That, police say, will mark the end of Halloween in the Witch City.
"In years past, people have experienced some difficulty coming to grips with the fact it ends at 10:30," Gilligan said. "There's been difficulty getting that message across, and that may be due to the fact there were no real signs or events that conveyed the message. Our hope is the fireworks send that message."
Just in case there's lingering confusion, police will be stationed throughout the downtown, backed by officers from the Sheriff's Department, several North Shore police departments, even some horse-mounted police from Boston.
Rowdy or disorderly revelers will be arrested, police said.
"We're preparing for any contingency," Gilligan said.
Police will enforce public drinking laws and confiscate any potentially dangerous Halloween costume accessories, such as swords, knives and firearms, whether they're real or replicas.
City officials encourage visitors to come early and use public transportation if possible. Route 128 has jammed up on Halloween night as early as 6 p.m. some years, Gilligan said.
The MBTA will run extra Boston-bound trains, with the last commuter rail leaving Salem Depot at 11:24 p.m.
If you have to drive, arrive early.
Hacker, the city's parking director, encouraged drivers to use the city's two garages, the 1,000-space Museum Place garage and the 300-space South Harbor garage. The garages usually fill up by late morning, but spaces become available again between 3 and 5 p.m. as downtown workers drive home.
Hacker said trying to find on-street parking will be tough.
How tough?
"Like trying to buy World Series tickets two days ago," he said.
Downtown roads will be closed to traffic at 5 p.m. For a guide to parking and key sites, visit www.salemnews.com.
Any lines outside downtown bars will be dispersed around 10 p.m.
The message from city officials this week was clear - get here early.
"If you're coming, clearly don't wait until 9 p.m.," Gilligan said.
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Staff writer Chris Cassidy can be reached at 978-338-2526 or by e-mail at ccassidy@ecnnews.com.
