The 28th annual Salem Chamber of Commerce Haunted Happenings Grand Parade will take place on Thursday evening, officially launching the city into the spooky season.
The parade’s grand marshals are cast members of Hocus Pocus — Omri Katz, Vinessa Shaw, Tobias Jelinek, Larry Bagby, and Jason Marsden, the chamber announced last month.
The classic Halloween movie was filmed in Salem during the 1990s.
Beginning at 6:30 p.m., the parade will follow a route from Prime Group Shetland Park to Salem Common.
The parade, a Halloween tradition, happens every year on the first Thursday of October. Marchers include Salem Public School kids and their families, along with community groups.
According to the event’s website, the parade is expecting over 15,000 spectators.
“The evening should be a night full of color, pageantry, music, and the enthusiasm of thousands of Salem’s students from kindergarten to college plus many local business owners,” the website said.
The city will be implementing enhanced public safety measures for the parade. Metal barricades will line the entire route, the city said in a statement.
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Because of the barricades, police will be closing roads at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, the city said.
Roads will open after the parade’s conclusion.
Additionally, once the parade begins, nobody will be allowed to enter, exit, or cross the route until the parade has ended.
Many Salem streets will have a parking ban in effect on Thursday, at earlier times. Any vehicles parked in the areas will be towed, the city said.
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Salem will have an increased security presence for all events this month, police said in September.
This will include police canines, additional surveillance cameras, and counter-drone measures.
Additional security from Marblehead and Peabody police departments, a regional law enforcement group, the Essex County sheriff’s department, state troopers, park rangers, and FBI and ATF agents will be in place.
Camille Bugayong can be reached at camille.bugayong@globe.com.