AMESBURY — Town officials are hopeful that a large crowd will be on hand to welcome the governor when he visits tomorrow.

Rebecca Jordan, a member of the Amesbury Democratic Town Committee, said fliers have been distributed and a notice has been posted on the community sign in front of Town Hall.

Local officials from neighboring communities have been invited to attend as well. This will be Gov. Deval Patrick's only visit to this area during his tour.

"There's a buzz," Jordan said. "People are very excited. It truly is an honor. It really is an honor to have the governor come to our beautiful little city."

Patrick is visiting Amesbury for the first time since taking office as part of a five-week tour of local communities. He will host a town hall-style meeting starting at 6 p.m. in the Upper Millyard Amphitheater.

If it rains, the event will be inside the Town Hall auditorium. It is open to the public.

Announcing his schedule of meetings earlier this month, Patrick said the purpose of his tour across the state is to offer citizens a chance to ask questions and talk about issues.

Jordan is working with the mayor's office to coordinate the visit. Jordan, who led Patrick's campaign for governor locally, first advocated for the governor to visit Amesbury, which prompted the stop on his statewide tour.

Jordan attended the governor's meeting in Salem last week and said Patrick will likely give a brief introduction and then start answering questions.

Members of his staff will bring a microphone to residents who wish to ask questions. It's likely the time frame will allow for about eight to 10 questions to be asked by members of the public, she said.

"It's not scripted," she said. "You can ask whatever question you want."

The meeting should last an hour to an hour and a half, Jordan said.

State Rep. Michael Costello, D-Newburyport, said the governor's schedule will be tight, so just how long he'll remain in Amesbury is still unclear.

"With two weeks left in the session, he'll be hard pressed (for time)," Costello said. "If he has some time, (state Sen. Steven Baddour) and I would like to host him (at dinner afterwards)."

Since Mayor Thatcher Kezer, a lieutenant colonel in the Air National Guard, is out of town at military training, Municipal Council President Roger Benson will welcome the governor to Amesbury and introduce him at the start of the meeting. Benson is filling in as acting mayor during the two weeks Kezer is away.

Over the next several days, more issues will be resolved, such as what time Patrick will arrive in town and if he will be given a tour of Amesbury before the meeting, Jordan said.

IF YOU GO

What: Gov. Deval Patrick visit

Where: Amphitheater in the Upper Millyard, Amesbury

When: Tomorrow, 6 p.m.

Why: Patrick is on an 11-community tour across the state, holding town hall-style meetings for the public to ask him questions and voice concerns.

Note: The amphitheater is off Market Square in front of the main entrance to Flatbread Pizza Co. It can be accessed by crossing the footbridge from the municipal parking lot off Friend Street. If it rains, the meeting will be inside the Town Hall auditorium.