SALEM — Sure, the usual zombies and vampires are headed our way.

But this is also the year the city hopes to make October a little less frightening, especially for local families who may have been scared away by the ghosts — not to mention crowds — of Halloweens past.

"This is not just for tourists," said Kate Fox, executive director of Destination Salem, the city's tourism office. "This is a fun and affordable way to entertain your family if you live around here."

Salem is putting a family-friendly foot forward tonight with the annual Haunted Happenings Grand Parade. Hundreds of costumed schoolchildren, stepping to the beat of local marching bands, will weave through the downtown in a parade that begins at 6:30 p.m. in Shetland Park and ends on Salem Common.

That is the first of a month of family events, Fox said.

Mayor Kim Driscoll will go trick-or-treating with children tomorrow night, starting at 5:30 p.m. at the fountain near Museum Place Mall.

The annual Halloween Children's Day, co-hosted by The Gathering, a local church, will be held next Saturday, Oct. 11, on Salem Common.

The city's first Pumpkin Festival will take place the following two weekends, Oct. 18-19 and Oct. 25-26, also on the Common. Pumpkins carved by Salem schoolchildren will be on display, and kids will get to pose for photos next to a 1,000-pound pumpkin from the Topsfield Fair.

Fiesta Shows, which will have carnival rides again on Derby Street, is also adding to the family fun. It will set up a food court on the Common and a hay bale maze, which officials hope draws a lot of young children.

There are many more children's events, including a children's costume parade, listed in the official Haunted Happenings guide, which is available at the National Park Service Visitor's Center and at other locations.

What's new for adults

But Halloween isn't all about the kids.

This 27th annual Haunted Happenings features a new adult event that is expected to draw a big crowd: the first Witch City Haunted Oktoberfest on the weekend of Oct. 24-26.

Inside a large tent along Front Street, beer will flow from Ipswich Ale and German sausages will sizzle. If sausages aren't your thing, there will be lobster rolls and other local food.

"It's Oktoberfest with a New England twist," said Diane Manahan, one of the organizers.

There also will be entertainment, including a cabaret group from New York and traditional German music. There is a cover charge to get into the tent and separate charges for most food and drinks.

This is also the year of Halloween theater, a lot of it provided by Gordon College in Wenham, which signed deals with the city to use two local venues.

In addition to old favorites, like "Cry Innocent" at Old Town Hall, the college is using Pioneer Village in Forest River Park as another stage. During the day, costumed guides will lead tours of this recreated 1630 village. On Saturday nights, college drama students are staging "Spiritways: A Night in Besieged Salem Village."

Actors will play the roles of the living and dead — like George Burroughs, a minister in Salem Village in 1692 who was accused of witchcraft, and Anne Hutchinson, who was banished from Massachusetts years earlier for her religious views.

This event is scary and not for children under 13, an organizer said. It's also a serious look at history, and the fears, superstitions and prejudices that shaped the minds of the people who were swept up in the witch hysteria of 1692. Tickets are available at the Cry Innocent booth in front of Old Town Hall.

All about cars

Parking a car in Salem can be a spooky experience. This year, the city has put up new signs to direct motorists to public lots. For the first time, there will be about 200 spaces available on weekends at Shetland Park on Congress Street.

There will be no problem finding the Chrysler car show. The cars will be glowing in neon on Friday night, Oct. 10, near Armory Park on Essex Street, and parked down at Central Wharf the next day.