Dining – Page 7 – Salem Main Streets

Shopping In Style This Weekend in Salem

Salem Event, Salem Festivals, Salem Shopping, SMS News No Responses »

Aug 052015

Bargains will fill the shelves, counters and floors of stores this weekend as Heritage Days closes out the weekend with the Essex Street Fair, and Pickering Wharf presents the next installment of First Friday.

First Friday is a stand-alone monthly activity by the good folks at Pickering Wharf, but this month it happens to fall during Heritage Days, so why not make it part of your Heritage Days celebration when you’re in town that day?

You will most definitely Shop, Dine and Unwind at Pickering Wharf where you will find exclusive specials, events and treats from over 20 unique shops and six fabulous restaurants.

First Friday festivities begin at 5pm with most stores remaining open until 9pm.

Participating restaurants will offer, at a minimum, 10% off with a receipt from a Pickering Wharf shop, as well as in-house specials. Some merchants will also have entertainment, refreshments, and some give-aways.

Bargains & free “stuff” make First Fridays at Pickering Wharf a must see event.

Then over the weekend, more than 50 vendors will participate in the Heritage Days festivities at the Salem Chamber of Commerce Essex Street Fair. The Essex Street Fair is an annual two-day event; this year it is to be held on August 8 & 9, 2015 from 10am – 6pm.

Along the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall artisans, craftors, and food vendors from in and around Salem join local merchants to sell their merchandise along the length of Essex St., from the Daniel Low Building to the Hawthorne Hotel.

Bring your friends and family to this street festival to browse through jewelry, crafts, paintings, and other unique items! Face painters and musicians will be strolling around to entertain the crowd.

For more information regarding the Essex Street Fair, contact the Salem Chamber of Commerce at 978-744-0004.

Heritage Days Offer A Slice of Pizza and Ice Cream on the Salem Common

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Aug 022015

Whether you’ve come to Salem MA by car, motor bike, train, ferry, or bus, we hope you are enjoying yourselves during this week-long (Aug 1-9) Heritage Days celebration unfolding on our streets, sidewalks, harbor and grassy areas.

Continuing this week, two of the perennial favorites: Salem’s Best Pizza Contest and Ice Scream Bowl.

On Monday, beginning at 5pm (or sooner) there will be winding lines of people at the Salem Common waiting for the opportunity to sample pizza, vote on best pizza categories, and have a fun time interacting with other aficionados of the food that is sold at the rate of 3 billion pies annually in the U.S.

That is a lot of pizza. In fact, also according to Pizza.com, each person in America eats about 46 pizza slices a year. Average might be higher in Salem area when you consider that on Monday for a $7 donation fee (funds benefit the Salem YMCA) adults and kids (for a $5 ticket) get to sample from not one, not two, but several local pizza makers participating in this community event.

Advice: Bring a rectangular plastic container (the kind you use for leftovers) to hold your multiple pizzas.

This fan favorite is followed on Tuesday at 6pm, also at the Salem Common, by the Ice Scream Bowl where this time a number of participating ice cream shops have lined up booths for you to sample the best of the best in something perfectly suited for the warm weather we’ve been experiencing.

The confirmed list includes: Captain Dusty’s, Cherry Farm Creamery, Maria’s Sweet Somethings, Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt, and Salem Screamery.

North Shore 104.9 FM will be in attendance with fun games and takeaways, Elsa from “Frozen” will be making an appearance, and other kid’s activities will be available throughout the event.

Ticket prices are $6 for adults, $4 for children and proceeds benefit projects of Salem Main Streets.

According to IceCream.com it takes 50 licks to finish a single scoop ice cream and that 87% of Americans have ice cream in their freezer at any given time (and they are right, just checked the freezer and there are two pints in there!).

Advice: Bring muffin or cupcake bakeware containers to hold the ice cream, especially if children will be part of your entourage for the evening.

Following both events at 7pm the Salem Willows Shell will play host to musical performances that will round out your day. Monday will offer Salem Community Concert Band and Community Jazz Band, both of which are made up of Salem residents from grade 7 through adult. Tuesday, the North Shore Concert Band Series will present a “Salute to Swing” music from the Big Band Era, featuring the Gerry Barrett Swing Band.

These are just some of the many events scheduled during Heritage Days. Check the community calendar for other events on these and the remaining days of the Festival.

( Cover photo courtesy of John Andrews at SocialPalatesPhotography.com )

Heritage Days, Salem’s Own Live Variety Show

Contests, History, Salem Dining, Salem Event, Salem Festivals, Salem Shopping, Volunteer Opportunities No Responses »

Jul 302015

Blending the past, present and future, our Heritage Days celebration spans Aug. 1-9 with events featuring food, fun, and activities for all ages. There are nearly 40 different events throughout the festival, some on different days, some at the same time. You really do need to keep the URL of the Calendar of Events for Heritage Days bookmarked on your home computer, tablet or cell phone.

There is no better example to prove this point than the kick-off event: The 2015 Salem Maritime Festival will be held on the historic wharves at Salem Maritime National Historic Site, Saturday, August 1st from 10am – 4pm.

In its 27th year, the Salem Maritime Festival offers an exciting array of free family fun, including live music, free harbor cruises, craft demonstrations, costumed re-enactors and much more! Kids will enjoy a variety of fun activities including radio-controlled boats, a “Muck Walk” and touch tanks with their favorite marine critters.

A flotilla of visiting vessels including a U.S. Coast Guard 47′ Motor Life Boat, the Schooner Fame, the Schooner Ardelle and the motorized vessel Endeavor will all be participating in the festival. A fleet of kayaks from Salem Kayak will provide attendees with the opportunity to paddle and row Salem Harbor. Friendship of Salem, Salem’s own replica of a 1797 merchant vessel, will be open to the public and will offer a National Park Service Junior Ranger Program for children.

Free 90-minute harbor cruises aboard Fame, Ardelle and Endeavor will be offered throughout the afternoon by lottery. The cruises are scheduled for 12:00, 12:15, 12:30, 1:45, 2:00, 2:15pm.

Exhibitors and demonstrators at this year’s event include:
Salem Kayaks
Norumbega Canoe Club
USS Constitution & US Navy
Marlinspike Sailor of Marblehead
Musician Larry Young
R.P Raiseles Cooperage
Essex Shipbuilding Museum
Marine Modelers Club of New England
Salem Sound Coastwatch
Historic New England
Cat Cove Marine Labs
Division of Marine Fisheries
U.S. Coast Guard & U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
Peabody Essex Museum
House of the Seven Gables
Witch House / Corwin House
Salem Beautification Committee
Salem Zouaves
Shipwrecks of New England
And more…

Recall what we wrote at the outset, that at times during the Festival some events would be running concurrently? While the wharf area will witness all things maritime, farther down the road, the Salem Willows will play host to not one, not two, but three other events on Saturday!

A Bridgin G.A.P.S. concert will present performances ranging from local and non-local recording artists, live bands, dance groups, poets and others from noon until 6pm. The Bridgin G.A.P.S. goal is to provide a festive, entertaining and educational platform for the local community to gather and celebrate in a safe and positive environment.

At the same time you can attend The Firemen’s Muster at 12:30 pm where crews will compete to throw the longest stream of water with an antique hand pumped fire engine. Come and see a 19th century sport that is being kept alive in the 21st century by a bunch of historic preservationists who obviously like to get wet!

And Clown Day will be also be happening, Saturday 11am – 3pm where clowns will be on hand all day to make balloon figures for your children, do some creative face painting using your kids as the canvas and then give a special performance at 2:30pm.

As stated in the headline, the Heritage Days Festival is a variety show— and we only told you about the FIRST day. More in upcoming blogs, and don’t forget to bookmark the calendar URL.

Farmers’ Markets Are the Heartbeat of a Community

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Jul 292015

Those aren’t our sentiments this time. Those words are a key part of a headline and the actual first sentence in a 7/28/15 Huffington Post blog. That’s right. The social media powerhouse, Huffington Post referred to life at the Farmers’ Market as something important to the community. We know that here in Salem where regular attendees to our Thursday Farmers’ Market (3-7pm in Derby Square) don’t just grab & go. They stay and chat with the farmers and vendors. There is a community connection that flows over the counter.

Blogger Teri Turner reinforces that “I love talking to the farmers-who awakened three hours before I did-about what they grow, and what’s in season.” Her blog also focuses on the fact that her area Farmers’ Markets give a great deal of space to something not often seen at FM: items from the ocean.

And besides fruits and veggies, the Salem Farmers’ Market also has fresh seafood: including lobsters! You actually can bring home your personal “catch of the day” in a bargain buy!

If you’ve never been to our Farmers’ Market, mark your calendar for an entertaining and informative experience, Thursday from 3-7pm in Derby Square. Fruits, vegetables, flowers, bread, seafood, music and more.

Welcome to Salem MA, Home of Award-Winning Businesses & Events

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Jul 082015

Another week, another set of votes by you the customers of North Shore businesses & events. You have spoken again; this week we present the Best of North Shore survey by North Shore Magazine which indicates we must be doing something right in Salem MA. Over 30 top awardees!

Scan down the alphabetical list (typed up by our own tireless Kylie Sullivan, Executive Director of Salem Main Streets – TY Kylie!) to find your favorite dining choice, business or service. Perhaps you’ll see a place you’ve wanted to try but never have. Now’s as good a time as any! And congratulations to all the merchants & business owners, managers and staff!

62 Restaurant & Wine Bar – Best Italian – Editors’ Choice
Most Romantic – Reader’s Choice
Best Donut – Editors’ Choice

A&J King – Best Bakery, Bread – Editors’ AND Readers’ Choice
Best Bake Shop, Pastry – Readers’ Choice

The Barking Cat – Best Pet Boutique – Editors’ Choice AND Readers’ Choice

CinemaSalem – Best Movie Theater – Editors’ AND Readers’ Choice

The Cookie Monstah – Best Cookies – Editors’ Choice (tied) * Note – not Salem based, but a staple of the Salem Farmers’ Market

Finz Seafood & Grill – Best Seafood, Prepared – Editors’ Choice (tied)

Gulu-Gulu Café – Best Beer Menu – Readers’ Choice

Harbor Sweets – Best Confectionary – Readers’ Choice

Haunted Happenings (city-wide event) – Best Festival, Fall – Readers’ Choice

Hawthorne Hotel – Best Hotel – Readers’ Choice

Landry & Arcari – Best Rugs – Editors’ AND Readers’ Choice

Life Alive – Best Vegetarian – Editors’ AND Readers’ Choice

Mahi Mahi Harbor Cruises – Best Charter Boat – Readers’ Choice

Melita Fiore – Best Bake Shop, Pastry – Editors’ Choice (tied)

Mighty Aphrodite Maternity Consignment – Best Maternity Clothing – Editors’ Choice AND Readers’ Choice

Milk and Honey – Best Gourmet – Honorable Mention

Mud Puddle Toys – Best Toy Shop – Editors’ Choice AND Readers’ Choice

North Shore Boot Camp (at B&S Fitness) – Best Boot Camp – Editors’ Choice

Olde Main Street Pub – Best Pub Food – Editors’ Choice (tied)

Opus – Best Sushi – Editors’ Choice Best After-Work Drinks, Readers’ Choice

Passage to India – Best Indian – Readers’ Choice

Paxton – Best Barber Shop – Editors’ Choice

Peabody Essex Museum – Best Museum – Editors’ AND Readers’ Choice Best Tourist Attraction – Readers’ Choice

Roost & Company – Best Home Décor – Readers’ Choice Best Gifts – Editors’ Choice (tied) AND Readers’ Choice

Rouge Cosmetics – Best Beauty Products – Readers’ Choice Best Makeup Selection – Editors’ Choice (tied) AND Readers’ Choice

Salem Willows – Best Family Hangout – Editors’ AND Readers’ Choice

Pack your appetite! Salem Willows Seafood Festival July 10-12 #MassInsider @VisitMA @NBCVB http://t.co/QbpVtV5Dlu pic.twitter.com/3EV00taYG0 — Destination Salem MA (@DestSalem) July 8, 2015

Salem’s So Sweet (joint event by Salem Main Streets/Salem Chamber of Commerce/Destination Salem) – Best Festival, Winter – Editors’ AND Readers’ Choice

Scratch Kitchen – Best BBQ – Editors’ Choice

Sea Level Oyster Bar – Best Seafood, Prepared – Editors’ Choice (tied)
Best Waterview Restaurant, Year-Round – Editors’ Choice

Tavern in the Square – Best Sports Bar – Readers’ Choice

Tri-City Sales – Best Kitchen Appliances – Readers’ Choice

Turner’s Seafood at Lyceum Hall – Best Seafood, Prepared – Editors’ Choice (tied) AND Readers’ Choice

The Ugly Mug Diner – Best Breakfast – Editors’ Choice (tied)
Best Brunch – Readers’ Choice

Witch City 5K (organized by Salem YMCA) – Best Community Walk/Run – Editors’ AND Readers’ Choice

Ye Olde Pepper Companie – Best Confectionary – Editors’ Choice (tied)

Yoga Sakti – Best Yoga Studio – Editors’ AND Readers’ Choice
Best Yoga Apparel – Editors’ Choice AND Readers’ Choice

Readers’ Choice Awards are those establishments who received the most votes through the open, online voting system. Editors’ Choices were selected by the North Shore magazine internal team and based on research / site visits. Voting was conducted February 1st through March 1st, 2015.

Changes This Year

While regional and national chains have been allowed in previous years to qualify as nominees, this year only local organizations and locally owned franchises were qualified to be nominees. Also, businesses with multiple locations were recognized by their specific location. For example, if a business had locations in Salem, Peabody, etc. then each location would have its own nomination process.

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