SALEM — Come early, and take public transportation.
That's the message city officials are relaying to visitors who plan to enjoy the festivities surrounding Halloween in Salem this weekend.
Additional trains and ferry rides will run to cart people to and from the Witch City, and commuters are encouraged to park at railway stations in nearby communities and take the train to Salem.
There will be entertainment and activities throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday (Halloween), "whether you're buying tickets for private shows or coming just for the street scene and live music," said Kate Fox, executive director of Destination Salem.
"Plan to come early," Fox added, noting that nice weather is forecast.
Last year, a crush of revelers descended on the Salem train station early on Halloween day, so there will be increased staffing this Sunday to direct the crowds onto the trains.
"We had years and years of weekday Halloweens," Fox recalled, "so last year, people came in early and they were ready to leave earlier, and the T wasn't down there to queue people, which is what led to the disorganization."
Unlike weekday Halloweens, when crowds swell in the evening, this weekend celebration is expected to start in the morning and keep growing.
"They are going to be much more proactive and be down at the station earlier to set up those queues," Fox said.
Driving in
For visitors who plan to drive to Salem, both of the city's parking garages will be open, as will the public lots.
"That's on a space-available basis," Parking Director Jim Hacker said, "and I do anticipate filling up quickly, by 10 or 11 a.m. I would think both days are going to be extremely busy."
The Salem YMCA lot and the parking lot on Crombie Street will be reserved for downtown Salem residents on Saturday and Sunday, according to Hacker.
"It's basically set up for the people who live in the downtown area," he said. "You just have to show your driver's license."
There is a $20 fee to park in the Museum Place garage and the South Harbor garage (which have a combined 1,150 spaces) and a $20 fee for the Church Street lot. People with annual or monthly passes are exempt.
Parking meters will be enforced Saturday but not Sunday.
The Salem train station parking lot will be closed Sunday, according to an MBTA spokesman.
Road closures
Police said it's possible they will close downtown roads on Saturday depending on the volume of the crowds.
There are planned road closures on Halloween night, and from 10 p.m. to midnight, police will close Route 1A from Route 114 to the Beverly/Salem bridge to incoming traffic, according to police Lt. Robert Preczewski.
On Sunday, the following streets will be closed to vehicular traffic at approximately 5 p.m.:
Washington Street from New Derby to Bridge streets
Essex Street from Barton Square to Union Street
Derby Street from Lafayette to Congress streets
Brown Street closed at New Liberty Street (second closure point at Howard Street)
Lafayette Street closed between Derby and Front streets
Hawthorne Boulevard closed from Derby to Essex streets
Washington Square North closed from Winter to Brown streets
Washington Square West and South
Winter Street at Bridge Street
Williams Street at Bridge Street
Following the fireworks after 10 p.m. on Halloween, crowds will be expected to disperse promptly.
"Know that it's going to be over at 10:30," Fox said. "It's not an all-night party."
"Come early, have fun and be safe," Hacker said.
FREE OUTDOOR CONCERT SCHEDULE
Saturday
(Stage at Washington and Federal streets)
4 p.m. — 51 Shortfalls
5:15 pm. — Fire Hazard
6:45 p.m. — Honors
8:30 to 10 p.m. — Ernie and the Automatics, whose members include musicians who have played with legendary bands and performers such as Boston, Peter Wolf's House Party Five, John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band, and Little Richard.
Sunday
(Main stage at the top of Washington Street)
4 p.m. — Streight Angular
5:30 p.m. — Ashlands Attic
7 p.m. — 51 Shortfalls
8:30 to 10:10 p.m. — The Replicas
Fireworks at 10:15 p.m.
* Additional satellite stages will feature free entertainment on Salem Common, Hawthorne Boulevard, Front Street and Derby Street.
Public transit
For the Salem ferry schedule, visit www.salemferry.com or call 978-741-0220.
For the Haunted Happenings train schedule, visit www.mbta.com/riding_the_t/haunted_happenings.
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