Salem is going to the dogs (and cats and lizards and bunnies), and we couldn’t be happier about it! Salem Main Streets is very pleased to produce the return of the Howl-o-ween Pet Parade, to be held on Saturday, Oct. 14 at 11 am on Derby Wharf, Salem Maritime National Historic Site.

Pets of all species are welcome at the parade, but should be well-behaved and comfortable at a busy event where there are likely to be many dogs. The parade is rain or shine.

Salem Main Streets asks all parade participants to register online in advance if possible, with a small donation of $5 for Salem residents and $10 for nonresidents. Proceeds go directly to Salem Main Streets in support of special community programs all year round.

Online registration for the parade can be found at www.salemmainstreets.org/howl-o-ween.

The 2023 Howl-o-ween Pet Parade is supported by lead sponsors Wolf Next Door Coffee, King Lewis Engraving, Jenni Stuart Fine Jewelry, Jay’s Smoke Shop, and Blackcraft, as well as Annie’s Asian Mart, Couch Dog Brewing, Coven, Emporium 32, Enchanted, Koto, Miel Dental Aesthetics, Salem Bespoke Boutique, Timeless Life Treasures, Wicked Good Books, Witch City Wicks, Bark Busters Boston North, Biss, Gulu Gulu Café/Flying Saucer Pizza Company, Hound & Country, Re-find, and Whimsy’s Sweet Life.

Salem Main Streets’ mission is the continued revitalization of downtown Salem as a vibrant, year-round, retail, dining and cultural destination through business retention, recruitment, and promotion of the downtown district.  SMS provides direct support to downtown businesses, and produces numerous community events and initiatives throughout the year, including the Salem Farmers’ Market, Salem Arts Festival, Salem’s So Sweet, and the October Information Booth.  SMS operates thanks to the generosity and partnership of the City of Salem and Mayor Dominick Pangallo, Destination Salem, the Salem Chamber of Commerce, and many other local business sponsors and community volunteers.  Contact Salem Main Streets by phone at 978-744-0004, or by email at kylie@salemmainstreets.org, or visit the website at www.salemmainstreets.org for more information.

It’s that time of year again – the Best of the North Shore‘s annual awards have been announced, and our Salem businesses have risen to the top again! We are especially excited for the recognition of our Salem Farmers’ Market, selected as Best Farmers’ Market by Northshore Magazine’s editors. Thank you for continuing to recognize our work!

Check out this awesome list of Salem-based award winners below (if I missed one, let us know!), or check out North Shore Magazine’s website for a full list – www.nshoremag.com/bons-2023

DINE

Bakery/Bread – A&J King (Readers’)

Charcuterie Board – The Cheese Shop of Salem (Editors’ & Readers’)

Cookies – Goodnight Fatty (Editors’ & Readers’)

General Excellence – Ledger (Readers’)

Ice Cream – Holy Cow Ice Cream Café (Editors’ and Readers’)

Mediterranean – Adriatic (Readers’)

Raw Bar – Turners’ Seafood Salem (Readers’)

Seafood – Turners’ Seafood Salem (Readers’)

DRINK

Beer Menu – Notch Brewing (Editors’)

Cocktails – Ledger (Readers’)

Distillery – Deacon Giles (Readers’)

Hotel Bar – The Roof at Hotel Salem (Readers’)

Irish Pub – O’Neill’s Irish Pub (Readers’)

Patio – Notch Brewing (Readers’)

Tap Room – Notch Brewing (Editors’)

Wine List – Ledger (Readers’)

LIVE

Candy Shop – Curly Girl Candy Shop (Readers’)

Cheese Shop – The Cheese Shop of Salem (Editors’ & Readers’)

Chocolate – Harbor Sweets (Readers’)

Clambake – Patriot Seafoods (Readers’)

Farmers’ Market – Salem Farmers’ Market (Editors’)

Gourmet Market – The Cheese Shop of Salem (Readers’)

PLAY

Charter Boat – The When and If (Editors’)

Museum – Peabody Essex Museum (Editors’ & Readers’)

RENEW

Barber Shop – Badabing Barbershop & Shave Parlor (Readers’)

Facial – uGlow Med Spa (Rearders’)

Hair Salon, Men’s – Fringe Salon (Editors’)

Massage – Freedom Massage (Readers’)

Nail Salon – JIA The Nails Place (Readers’)

Spin Class – Inner Cycle (Readers’)

Strength Class – Inner Cycle (Readers’)

Yoga – Yoga Sakti (Readers’)

SHOP

Accessories – J. Mode (Editors’)

Salem Main Streets is looking for local farmers and food vendors to participate in the 2023 Salem Farmers’ Market located in downtown Salem in Derby Square on Thursdays, 3:00–7:00 p.m. from June 8 through October 12, 2023. 
 
Anyone wishing to sell their products at the market must submit an application for consideration by March 10, 2023.  Applications can be downloaded from www.salemfarmersmarket.org.  Booth space is $30 a week for a 10’ x 10’ spot, $60 for a 10’ x 20’ spot, and $90 for a 10’ by 30’ spot.  There is a discount for prepayment of the entire season.
 
“We are so proud of our market vendors, and we hope to see many returning to us at Derby Square this season, but we’re also always on the look-out for the next up and coming business,” said Salem Main Streets Executive Director Kylie Sullivan. “This is the perfect opportunity for newer businesses looking to get to the next level, as well as established businesses looking to reach a new audience.”
 
All products must be grown or produced in New England. If a farmer is selling any items he/she did not grow, the farm of origin must be listed. Vendors may label items organic only if they are certified. Sullivan notes that the market is especially looking for bread, cheese, and meat vendors.
 
Non-farm products must be high quality, locally made, take skill and creativity, and the vendor must add at least 75% of the total value to the product.  The product(s) should be complementary to a farmers’ market. 
 
Entering its 15th season, the market welcomes an average of 2,000+ customers weekly.  The market is made possible through the leadership of community-focused nonprofit Salem Main Streets and the Farmers’ Market Committee, as well as the generous contributions of numerous volunteers. 
 
For more information please contact Salem Main Streets Executive Director Kylie Sullivan via email at kylie@salemmainstreets.org or phone at 978-744-0004 x115. To get the latest updates about the market, visit our website at www.salemfarmersmarket.org, or follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/SalemMAFarmersMarket) or on Twitter (@salemfarmersmarket).