No need to make parking scary for St. Helens' Spirit of Halloweentown

With the wildly popular Spirit of Halloweentown now in full swing, the only scary part might be trying to find parking. Luckily, there are some reminders and some solutions for an event that will swell the streets of St. Helens from now until Oct. 31.

Among the things to keep in mind is that South First Street from Cowlitz Street to St. Helens Street will be closed Fridays beginning at 5 p.m., continuing through midnight on Mondays.

Also, the traditionally free city parking access between the Masonic Building and 2Cs Vendor Mall building at South First and South Second streets will be closed during those same hours through Nov. 6.

However, South First Street businesses will receive parking passes for employees on the weekends and the parking lot will be monitored. Parking access for the general public will be available during weekdays behind the big tent by using the South Second Street entrance. The entrance off of South First Street will remain closed for the duration of the event.

Here are other parking matters to keep in mind:

There’s free public parking during the weekdays along South First Street, St. Helens Street, South Second Street and South Third Street adjacent to the John Gumm Building, the Plaza Square, on Cowlitz Street, and in the free city parking lot behind the big tent using the South Second Street entrance.Festival attendees are being directed to use the paid parking lot behind the recreation center building at 1810 Old Portland Road off of Kaster Road across from McCormick Park. Shuttle buses will be running from the parking lot to the Riverfront District on the weekends during the event.Due to limited parking, please use the event’s designated paid parking lot to attend the event at 1810 Old Portland Rd, St. Helens. Parking is $25 online or $30 at the event with complimentary shuttle service to and from Spirit of Halloweentown (a quick 4-minute ride).

For more information, visit www.spiritofhalloweentown.com .