Halloween visitors to Salem are urged to arrive via train or ferry

Authorities anticipate record numbers, excellent weather,and considerable traffic during this Halloween weekend

Authorities urge people planning to celebrate Halloween weekend in Salem, Massachusetts, to leave the cars at home, take advantage of public transportation, and bring their common sense.  Increased visitation during the first four weeks of October and a good forecast for Halloween weekend are expected to result in record numbers of people visiting Salem on Halloween and October 30th. 

Parking will be at a premium throughout downtown Salem this weekend, with public and private lots charging an average of $20 cash per car per day.  Visitors are encouraged to take the MBTA Commuter Rail or Salem Ferry to Salem from Boston and points north, avoiding the search for parking and the traffic backlogs that occur once garages and lots are full.  MBTA stations at Beverly and Lynn have ample parking, and are less than a 10 minute ride from the Salem Depot.  Salem’s walkable downtown makes personal vehicles unnecessary once visitors have arrived.

The MBTA has expanded commuter rail service to Salem for the weekend, and created a dedicated web page with schedules and ticket information at mbta.com/riding_the_t/haunted_happenings/. The Salem Ferry has also expanded service for Halloween weekend.  Information and the expanded schedule can be found at SalemFerry.com.

Public Safety will be a top priority of the City of Salem, and a strong police presence will be noticeable all weekend.  Downtown street closures are planned for Sunday, and closures will be executed on Saturday if deemed necessary for public safety.  Street closure and parking ban information is available at http://salempd.net/HalloweenOperationalPlan.htm.

Visitors are urged to bring their common sense, and be aware of the following rules and regulations that will be enforced during Halloween weekend:

• Disorderly conduct will not be tolerated. Salem has tougher sanctions and will be issuing tripled fines, up to $300 per violation, for infractions including public drinking, vandalism, littering, and disorderly behavior.
• Leave weapons – real or fake – at home.  They will be confiscated by police.
• Public drinking will not be tolerated. Public consumption of alcohol is strictly prohibited in Salem.
• Know when the party’s over. The event ends at 10:30 PM on Saturday and Sunday night.  Visitors who are not inside private parties will be asked to depart Salem following the Ernie and the Automatics Concert on Saturday night and following the fireworks on Sunday night.  Police and Public Works Department staff will begin clearing the streets at 10:30 pm.

There will be more than 200 police on the ground this weekend, including the Essex County Tactical Unit and the Plymouth County Mounted Unit.  Surveillance cameras are installed throughout the downtown and will be monitored by police officials throughout the weekend. 

Salem is a historic, residential community, and city officials are working diligently to mitigate visitor impacts to residents, provide effective crowd control, and encourage an orderly exit out of the City when festivities conclude.  Visitors to Salem who respect the City of Salem, its residents, businesses, and law enforcement officials will have a great time celebrating Halloween and Haunted Happenings.

Free public entertainment will be provided on the Haunted Happenings Main Stage, presented by Radio 92.9, on Washington Street at Federal Street from 4pm – 10:00pm on Saturday and Sunday.  Additional satellite stages will feature free entertainment on Salem Common, Hawthorne Boulevard, Front Street, and Derby Street.  The month-long Haunted Happenings celebration will conclude with a brilliant fireworks display over the North River at 10:15 pm on Sunday.

For more information on Salem Haunted Happenings visit www.hauntedhappenings.org or call Destination Salem at (978) 741-3252.