City officials are anticipating plenty of ghosts, ghouls and large crowds in Steamboat Springs this Halloween, and commuters are being asked to remain patient while dealing with the closure of Lincoln Avenue for the annual stroll.

“The road will close at 2 o’clock, so that is the biggest difference, and people really will need to plan for that,” said Lisa Popovich, executive director of Main Street Steamboat Springs, which hosts the Steamboat Springs Halloween Stroll in partnership with the city of Steamboat Springs.

She said the stroll has been a holiday tradition in Steamboat Springs for 35 years and is scheduled to run from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31. Popovich said officials hope to have Lincoln Avenue back open by 8 p.m.

Popovich said Lincoln Avenue will close at 2 p.m. to allow those handing out candy and putting up tents to set up for the event. She said those vendors will need to reach out by Oct. 28 to let her know that they will be taking part in the event, which she estimates brought more than 7,000 people downtown last year.

“We’re closing the road early, so that the participants that are there handing out candy can get all set up with their cool booths,” Popovich said. “Usually, they have 15 minutes to set everything up, so they run out into traffic and set up their tent. It’s a free-for-all, and that is no more.”

She said people will not be able to park on Lincoln, and cars should be moved by 2 p.m. There will be parking on several side streets downtown for participants, but organizers are hoping that people will leave those spaces for families with children.

“We want to encourage people with small children to come early, so that they can park in close and then leave when they want. We also want to encourage people who don’t have small children to park farther away,” Popovich said. “That was the hardest thing last year for people who have kids, like small kids, who had to walk so far to get to the event. We want everybody to be mindful and save those close spots for our young families.”

Mike Lane, communications manager for the city, said the traffic plan is the same as last year, and the same as the one used for the Fourth of July parade. Lincoln will be closed from Fifth to 12^th streets with westbound traffic diverted onto Oak Street and eastbound traffic being diverted onto Yampa Street. Those streets will be limited to one lane of traffic, so that first responders can get through town quickly in case of emergency. The open lane will also be used by buses, which officials hope the public will use to get to and from the event. Lane also suggested walking, riding bikes and carpooling.

“Just plan ahead,” Lane said. “Parking is usually limited. If you have kids, bring a stroller or a wagon. Also be aware it’s going to get dark earlier, so bringing a flashlight, headlamp and reflective clothing is always good — then just be patient.”

Popovich said there will also be a stroller parking area on the courthouse lawn, so that families can park the strollers and wagons while they stroll downtown and pick them up when they are done with the stroll. Popovich recommends that participants remove valuables.

“It’s awesome to have it on Lincoln Avenue,” Popovich said. “It is the only place in the city that can hold as many people as come out, and it’s been a tradition for over 35 years. It was originally started so that town would have a safe place to go trick-or-treating, and it’s evolved into the biggest party that Steamboat sees all year.”