Salem Welcomes the Holidays with Santa’s Arrival and Tree Lighting

 Salem Event, Salem Festivals, SMS News  No Responses »
Nov 212017
 

When you think of the Holiday season, what comes to mind is snow, Santa, and a tree. While we can’t provide snow, Salem Main Streets and the City of Salem invite you to join our community this Friday, Nov. 24th as we celebrate two of our most beloved annual traditions – Santa’s Arrival and the lighting of Salem’s Holiday Tree

Santa Claus will arrive at the top of the Hawthorne Hotel (18 Washington Square W) promptly at 6:00 p.m. with some special assistance from the Salem Fire Department, of course. Organizers recommend arriving to the Salem Common by 5:45 p.m. to catch the arrival. Bring the whole family out for carols, festivities, and fun!

Santa’s arrival will be followed by a procession down the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall to Lappin Park (next to the Bewitched Statue at the intersection of Essex Street and Washington Street), where we will join Santa and Mayor Kimberley Driscoll for the Holiday Tree Lighting. Participants are encouraged to bring lanterns (store-bought or homemade) to carry in the procession. Safety first, though – electric candles are highly recommended!

“Ever since we combined these two events in 2015, the evening has really taken on a whole new life of its own,” says Kylie Sullivan, Executive Director of Salem Main Streets. “It has truly become the community’s way of welcoming in the holidays together.”

Salem Main Streets is thrilled to welcome the North Shore’s own Angie Miller home for the holidays, as she will lead several holiday songs for the Tree Lighting at Lappin Park.  A previous finalist on American Idol, Miller moved to Los Angeles in 2014 to pursue her dream of being a musician and now enjoys a successful career under the artist name, Zealyn.

Photo Credit – Jack Robert Photography

We took a few minutes to catch up with her career. “There were many good things that came from being on American Idol, but at the same time there were a lot of negative things,” says Miller. “Because of that, I made the decision to start over, rebrand, and release new music under an artist name. Ever since switching to Zealyn, so many more doors have opened, and some really great opportunities have come about – ones that I never would have had a chance to experience before.”

On joining the Tree Lighting this year, Miller says, “I love any opportunity to come back to the North Shore and spend time with my family. I am really looking forward to celebrating the holiday season with everyone in Salem!” (You can stay up to date with Angie’s music career by following ZEALYN on social media and listen to her debut EP, Limbic System, on any streaming platform.

Salem Main Streets would also like to thank the City of Salem, the Hawthorne Hotel, Gigi Gill, Remix Church, and the many other community partners who make these special events possible.

This year’s tree was graciously donated by Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Francis of Salem in memory of their late son Joseph R. Ingemi III, who always loved the beautiful blue spruce that grew right next to their house. The tree was secured and decorated by the City of Salem Tree Department, with assistance from Mayer Tree Service and Spencer Contracting with transportation and installation. Lights and decorations for the Holiday Tree were made possible by individual contributions and donations from a number of local businesses, including significant donations from Salem’s October visitors via Gigi Gill. The tree topper was created by Salem artist Scott Froeschl.

For more information about any of these events, contact Kylie Sullivan, Salem Main Streets Executive Director, at (978)744-0004 or kylie@salemmainstreets.org, or visit http://salemmainstreets.org/festivals/holiday-happenings/santa-arrives-in-salem/ and follow Salem Main Streets on Facebook and Twitter.

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Howl-o-ween Pet Parade & Costume Contest Returns to Salem This Sunday

 Haunted Happenings, Parade, Salem Event, Salem Festivals, SMS News  No Responses »
Oct 072017
 

Doggies and kitties and lizards, oh my! Salem Main Streets is very pleased to produce the third annual Howl-o-ween Pet Parade, to be held on Sunday, Oct. 8 at 1 pm on Derby Square. Dress up your pet in a costume and show it off to the world! There will be prizes!

Pets of all species are welcome, but should be well-behaved and comfortable at a busy event where there are likely to be many dogs. (Daenerys, please let us know if you are coming  so as to make accommodation for your dragons)

“Our last two Howl-o-ween Pet Parades were enormously successful with some amazing costumes,” says Kylie Sullivan, Executive Director of Salem Main Streets, “and we’re anticipating that this year will be even bigger.”

She points out that “Salem is such a pet-friendly city; it seemed like a no-brainer that we needed a community pet parade during Haunted Happenings. It’s such a special way to engage our residents, appeal to our visitors, and celebrate our local businesses.”

The event will also include an area with information about local rescues and pet-focused downtown businesses,

Although it is a free event, attendees wishing to participate in the Howl-o-ween Pet Parade will be asked to register at the event to make note of their pet’s name for judging and to verify that the dogs, cats — and whatever else — are up to date on all required vaccinations.

Spectators are encouraged to join us on Derby Square, along Artists’ Row, or perhaps even “tail”-gaiting on the Lobster Shanty’s dog-friendly patio.

Salem Main Streets is grateful for the support of Creative Salem, Salem Pet Photo, the New England Dog Biscuit Company, Artists’ Row, PALS, Black Cat Tours, It’s Reigning Cats and Dogs, Healthy Hounds Doggie Daycare, Penelope’s Pet Boutique, and a number of other community partners in offering this event.

For additional info, contact Salem Main Streets by phone at 978-744-0004, or by email at kylie@salemmainstreets.org.

Be sure to join us for this great, fun-filled event for the entire family, especially the “four legged” family members!

(Photos courtesy of Creative Salem — thanks John!)

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Marching Monsters Haunt Halloween Parade in Salem

 History, Salem Event, Salem Festivals, SMS News, Volunteer Opportunities  1 Response »
Oct 032017
 

Photo Credit – Social Palates/Creative Salem via Salem Chamber

Movie Monsters will flood the streets of Salem this Thursday, Oct. 5th as the 22nd annual Haunted Happenings Grand Parade officially kicks off THE Halloween season for tourists and residents alike.

Twenty-two years. If you were a 10-year-old kid dressed in costume for any of the first few, quite possibly you have a son or daughter participating this year. Tradition is a big deal for this parade.

Another tradition involves picking a theme to help participants get creative in their costuming and float themes. Movie Monsters opens a vast panorama from which to dig deep the creative juices. We look forward to the sights and sounds.

According to the Salem Chamber of Commerce, which produces the Haunted Happenings Grand Parade, “The choice of costumes for this year’s parade is endless, based on all the classic and beloved monster themed movies parents and kids love. The parade audience will see a lot of characters from Monsters Inc., Beauty and the Beast, Harry Potter, and The Addams Family, to name a few. Thriller might make a comeback and one or two horror movie characters might join the Salem Chamber Haunted Happenings Parade as well!”

Who participates?

Children & teens from Salem schools along with adults from schools, businesses, city offices, fire & police departments and other organizations participate as volunteers, organizers, planners, walkers and cleanup crews. It really is a group effort.

What’s the Route?

Haunted Happenings Grand Parade begins at Shetland properties on Congress street, precisely at 6:30pm. Marchers turn left onto Derby Street, right onto Central Street, left onto Front Street, right onto Washington Street, right onto the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall and finish at the Salem common.

Friends and family cheer them on along the way, and at the Common they will be entertained by local favorite DJ Doug.

If you would like to volunteer to help with aspects of the Parade, contact the Chamber at 978-744-0004.

Mark your calendar to remind you to visit us this Thursday to see the spirit of Halloween on the faces of kids as the spotlight is all theirs.

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Fruits, Veggies, & More at Salem Farmers’ Market

 Salem Dining, Salem Event, Salem Farmers Market, Salem Shopping, SMS News  No Responses »
Sep 072017
 

Mid 70’s temperature and partly sunny skies; that is the forecast for today’s first Salem Farmers’ Market of September. It is also National Fruit & Veggies— More Matters Month. What greater incentive to attend could you ask for?

Our Farmers’ Market here in Salem is well known for its diversity of offerings. From fruits to vegetables, from breads to lobsters. Entertainment for the kids. Entertainment for adults. And space reserved for community groups to share a message. No wonder the Salem Farmers’ Market is known as much for its produce as it is the conversations it produces.

For example, it is not that farfetched that someone might ask “What are the top 10 Reasons to eat MORE fruits & veggies?”

And among the answers would be (courtesy of the Fruits & Veggies More Matters org website):

  • Fiber in fruits and veggies keep the digestive system happy and functioning
  • Vitamins & Minerals can be found a plenty in fruits & veggies to help keep the body healthy & energized
  • Calories, can only be detected in low quantities in fruits & vegetables
  • Convenience as fruits & veggies come in many nutritious forms, such as fresh, canned, frozen, dried, etc.

But, of course, we would like you to focus on the best aspect and that is getting the fresh side of availability of fruits and vegetables, direct from a local farm at the Salem Farmers’ Market.

Presented Thursdays through October 12th, the Salem Farmers’ Market takes place in Derby Square from 3-7pm. Will we see you there today?

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Volunteers Needed Now for Halloween Month-Long Info Booth

 History, Salem Event, Salem Festivals, Salem Shopping, SMS News, Volunteer Opportunities  1 Response »
Aug 202017
 

Do you wish to do some good for others in the community? If so, then you are part of the 62.8 million Americans who annually give of their time & skills volunteering. In our case, the community is Salem and we are Salem Main Streets in need of volunteers to help us staff the Visitors’ Info Booth during the upcoming Haunted Happenings Halloween season, which begins October 1st.

Yes, we know, it is still mid-August and summer is not over. But look at the calendar again from a staffing/training point of view. To be ready to go with scheduled volunteers by October 1st, we need to send out an invitation now.

“It’s hard to believe, but it’s already time to start planning for Haunted Happenings and the October Information Booth,” says Kylie Sullivan, executive director of Salem Main Streets.

A welcoming orientation will take place on Saturday, September 16 at 9:30 a.m. at the National Park Service Regional Visitor Center, 2 New Liberty Street, Salem, MA. Volunteers will be updated on new October events and there will be time for returning volunteers to share insights and information with those new to the program.

Kylie adds, “Our annual orientation will cover all the basics for new volunteers, and important updates and reminders for our returning ambassadors. Even if you have volunteered in the past, it is important to try to make this training!”

Registration will begin at 9:30 am, with the orientation starting promptly at 10 am. Please remember to bring your ID for the CORI process.

What if you’re neither a native nor a long term transplanted resident and don’t know exactly “where everything is?” You will. Between support from the people in the booth with you during your shifts, to the repeated questions (where are public bathrooms, where can I see something really scary, where did they burn the witches, where can I get a good burger or fish meal), you will.

Purely as a side note, volunteering has been known to help new people in a community make new friends who share common interests & values.

And if you speak more than one language, we clearly could use your help, as many Haunted Happenings attendees are from foreign lands.

For more information, contact Kylie Sullivan, Executive Director, Salem Main Streets at 978/744-0004 x115 or email at www.salemmainstreets.org

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