"We're expecting around 50,000 people to come to Franklin Street for the Halloween celebration," said Chapel Hill police spokeswoman Jane Cousins.
There will be about 300 police officers on duty Halloween night, said Cousins, but the officers won't try to prevent anyone from having a good time.
"The police officers on duty will have two main goals," Cousins said.
"The first is to keep people safe, and the second is to prevent and minimize property damage."
To help prevent injuries, Chapel Hill police will not allow paint, glass bottles, explosives, fireworks, flammable materials, animals, weapons, weapon look-alikes or any props that could be used as weapons inside of the closed-off area.
At 8 p.m., Franklin Street from Raleigh to Mallette streets will be closed, in addition to Columbia Street from Cameron Avenue to Rosemary Street and also Raleigh Street from Cameron Avenue to East Franklin Street.
Cousins said those who bring banned items to Franklin Street will be asked to return the items to their homes or vehicles before they will be allowed to enter the closed area or the items will be confiscated by the police and returned at a later date.
"In the past we have had to confiscate plastic samurai swords and turn away several people who had live snakes as part of their costume," Cousins said.
Officers also will be enforcing an ordinance adopted by the Town Council in 1995 that makes it unlawful to possess alcoholic beverages of any kind on streets, sidewalks, parking lots and alleys within an area closed for a special event.
