Nov 162022
 

LAUNCH!

4:30 pm to 6 pm

Charlotte Forten Park, 289 Derby Street

Free, $5 suggested donation

Countdown at 6 pm

Come ring in the New Year with us!  Salem Main Streets and the City of Salem are teaming up to throw LAUNCH!, our family-friendly New Year’s Eve party, on Saturday, Dec. 31 from 4:30 pm to 6 pm on Charlotte Forten Park (289 Derby Street). There will be an early countdown just before 6 pm.

“It was emotionally really difficult having to skip this event for the past 2 years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When we organized LAUNCH! for the first time in 2013, it was immediately clear that there was a strong community desire to come together on New Year’s Eve,” states Kylie Sullivan, Salem Main Streets’ Executive Director. “Plus, there’s still plenty of time after our early countdown to get to your own party, or catch one of the many other great events happening all over town on New Year’s Eve!”

Programming will include art-making activities, face painting and/or temporary tattoos, a silent disco, and more! The event this year is being hosted by the Anthem Group’s Frozen Fire Festival, which is transforming Charlotte Forten Park into a winter wonderland from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1. Additional Frozen Fire features will include curling rinks, a S’mores and Hot Chocolate Garden, and The Polar Bar, featuring a selection of beer and wine.

Event activities are free to all and family-friendly, with a $5 suggested donation to help support Salem Main Streets’ “Holiday Happenings” initiatives, including Santa’s Arrival at the Hawthorne, the Tree Lighting, and the wreaths and ribbons around the downtown. Please note that food and drink do require a fee. LAUNCH! is made possible thanks to the City of Salem, our Salem Main Streets volunteers, and a grant from through the City of Salem and U.S. Economic Development Administration. 

Contact Elise at Elise@salemmainstreets.org if you want to hear about our event sponsorship or volunteer opportunities.

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Aug 142018
 

In case you missed it, the annual Best of the North Shore (BONS) awards have been announced by North Shore Magazine for 2018! As usual, Salem businesses gave a strong showing among the awardees – listed below are all the winners located in Salem. Are your favorites included? Maybe a few that you’d never considered trying? Congratulations to all the 2018 winners!

DINE

Bacon – Back Alley Bacon (Readers’ Choice)

Bakery/Bread – A&J King (Editors’ and Readers’ Choice)

Brunch – Ledger

Fish & Chips – Turners Seafood at Lyceum Hall (Readers’)

Gluten-Free – Jodi Bee Bakes (Readers’)

Indian – Passage to India (Editors’ and Readers’)

Mexican – Howling Wolf Taqueria (Editors’ and Readers’)

Mussels – Sea Level Oyster Bar, Salem

Pizza – Bambolina

Ramen – Kokeshi (Editors’ and Readers’)

Raw Bar – Sea Level Oyster Bar, Salem

Seafood – Turners Seafood at Lyceum Hall (Readers’)

Sushi – Koto (Readers’, tie)

Tacos – Howling Wolf (Readers’)

Vegetarian – Life Alive (Editors’ and Readers’)

 

DRINK

Bar – Opus (Readers’)

Beer Garden – Notch (Readers’)

Beer Menu – Gulu Gulu Café (Readers’)

Cocktail – Opus (Readers’)

Distillery – Rumson’s Rum

Hard Cider – Far From the Tree (Editors’ and Readers’)

Juice Bar – Life Alive (Readers’)

Tap Room – Notch (Readers’)

Winery – Mill River Winery (Editors’ and Readers’) – Rowley business, sells at Salem Farmers’ Market

 

INDULGE

Bake Shop – Caramel Patisserie (Editors’, tie), A&J King (Readers’)

Candies – Ye Olde Pepper Companie (Editors’), Harbor Sweets (Readers’, tie)

Chocolate – Harbor Sweets

Cookies – Goodnight Fatty

Dessert – Counter at Hotel Salem

Ice Cream – Melt (tie)

 

RENEW

Yoga – Yoga Sakti

 

PLAY

Dance Studio – Dance Enthusiasm (Readers’)

Family Hangout, Indoor – Peabody Essex Museum (Editors’ and Readers’)

Festival (Fall) – Haunted Happenings (Editors’ and Readers’)

Festival (Spring) – Salem Film Fest

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

Tourist Attraction – House of the Seven Gables (Readers’)

 

SHOP

Books – Wicked Good Books (Readers’)

Cheese Shop – Cheese Shop of Salem (Editors’ and Readers’)

Clothing, Women’s Upscale – J. Mode (Readers’)

Makeup Selection – Rouge (tie)

Yoga Apparel – Yoga Sakti (Readers’)

 

LIVE

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

Personal Chef Service – Fine Food and Cooking by J. Ricardo Sanchez

 

MINGLE

Billiards – Village Tavern (Readers’)

Date Night – Opus (Readers’)

First Date – Bit Bar (Readers’)

Girls’ Night Out – Sea Level Oyster Bar, Salem

Guys’ Night Out – Bit Bar

 

 

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Aug 082018
 

Are you ready for a really cool event this summer? It’s set for Wednesday, August 8 on the Salem Common from 6:00-7:30 p.m., rain or shine. Yes, it’s time for the Salem Ice Scream Bowl when residents (and visitors) have the opportunity to sample some of the best ice cream on the North Shore from popular area ice cream shops.

Did you know that the U.S. ice cream industry, from neighborhood shops to national brands, contributes more than $39-billion to the national economy and creates more than 188,000 jobs nationally? Or that the average American consumes more than 23 pounds of ice cream per year. Wow!

Among the local businesses serving classic flavors and new combinations Wednesday night will be Melt Ice Cream, Maria’s Sweet Somethings, Captain Dusty’s, E.W. Hobbs Ice Cream, Cherry Farm Creamery, and more. The Salem Ice Scream Bowl is a fun event for both children and adults to cool down from the heat and enjoy tasty ice cream.

Always a favorite part of Salem’s two-week long Heritage Days celebration, this year’s Ice Scream Bowl will be followed directly by the Salem Common Neighborhood Association’s Movie Night! This Wednesday’s movie will be A Wrinkle in Time, starting at 8 pm. Bring a blanket and camp chairs so you can settle in after your ice cream to catch an outdoor movie with your neighbors.

The cost is $6 for adults and $4 for children. Tickets are purchased on site on the day of the event, cash only.  A spoon and napkins will be supplied with the purchase of a ticket

The Ice Scream Bowl is still going green! All of our materials are recyclable or compostable in an effort to reduce the impact of this popular event.

Proceeds support Salem Main Streets, the downtown revitalization nonprofit that organizes the Salem Farmers’ Market and many other events in downtown Salem, as well as offering direct support to downtown businesses. The Ice Scream Bowl is coordinated in partnership between Salem Main Streets and the City of Salem as part of Salem Heritage Days.

For any other questions or comments regarding this event, please contact Kylie Sullivan at Salem Main Streets at (978) 744-0004 x115 or email at kylie@salemmainstreets.org.

Bring the kids, bring the in-laws. Salem Ice Scream Bowl is a cool family event.

 

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Aug 042018
 

Forty events. Thirteen Days & Nights. Salem’s celebration of our past, present and future, known as Heritage Days, has something for kids, senior citizens and everybody in between. It runs from August 1-13 and it takes place all over Salem. Bring comfortable walking shoes.

New events this year include public performances in Derby Square and Gables Fest, the House of the 7 Gables’ 350th anniversary celebration with a special day of stories, song and dance. Also new this year, the Salem YMCA is joining forces with the Salem Education Foundation to enhance Kids Night on Common with many new crafts and special live performances.

And, that’s just what’s new!!!

The week begins with some very special events just for our seniors, and the first weekend of Heritage Days is highlighted by the 30th Annual Maritime Festival offering maritime exhibitors and demonstrators, free harbor cruises, a magic show and ten different music, dance and entertainment acts scheduled throughout the weekend. The Salem Common will be hopping Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday with Pizza Night, National Night Out, the Ice Scream Bowl followed by the SCNA’s weekly movie,  and Kids Night.

The Salem Police Department has been hard at working organizing National Night Out, this nationwide initiative designed to promote positive police-community relationships. This year promises to be bigger and better than ever. Event highlights include all types of public safety vehicles on display, a K-9 demonstration, and Salem Police/Fire vs. Boys & Girls Club basketball game. There will be over 60 tables and tents setup by different organizations, social service agencies and local businesses offering information and free give-a-ways, along with free raffle opportunities to win bicycles and gift cards.  Kids’ activities include inflatables, games, and arts & crafts. There will also be free pizzas, drinks, and snacks donated by Salem businesses.

Of course, your favorite Salem Main Streets fundraiser, the Salem Ice Scream Bowl, is back again this year with six awesome local vendors providing an array of delicious flavors! The 2018 Ice Scream Bowl will be held Wednesday, August 8 on the Salem Common from 6-7:30 p.m. rain or shine.  Please note the change to Wednesday this year from our traditional Tuesday night.

In addition, Salem Main Streets’ Salem Farmers’ Market is celebrating 10 seasons this year! We will be adding a few extra treats for this week’s market, Thursday, August 9, in celebration of our 10th season, Heritage Days, AND National Farmers Market Week. Customers can look forward to some sweet new Farmers’ Market merchandise, extra special live music, interpretive dance-on-demand by Betsy Miller, and of course, some of the best local farms and vendors to be found on the North Shore. The Market will run as it does every week from 3 pm t0 7 pm on Derby Square.

Check out the full schedule.

It is packed with free opportunities for Salem residents to visit many of our downtown museums and attractions and receive discounts on the Salem Ferry and tours to Bakers Island Light Station. Pick a day or two during the week and plan a stay-cation, be a tourist and visit the Ropes Mansion or take a Cry Innocent walking tour or be part of the Salem Wax Museum’s 25 anniversary with its 25-cent admission for Salem residents or ride the Salem Trolley and visit the Witch House for free.

It’s your community. Enjoy it!

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Jul 022018
 

One of the best Independence Day Fireworks festivities on the North Shore will be found at the Salem Maritime National Historic Site on Derby Wharf this Wednesday, July 4th. It is America’s 242nd birthday. And you are an invited guest.

“There’s no better place to celebrate Independence Day than in historic Salem,” explains Mayor Kimberly Driscoll. “Start off bright and early at Salem Common for the annual reading of the Declaration of Independence, spend the day visiting the City’s numerous historic sites and attractions, dine at one of dozens of remarkable restaurants, and end your day at historic Derby Wharf for all of the festivities.”

A Bit of Trivia

Along the way, during the day, Americans are expected to consume 150 million hot dogs at bar-b-ques and other backyard celebrations.

Historically, did you know that it wasn’t until 1870 that the U.S. Congress made July 4th a federal holiday? Prior to that, Americans held individual celebrations. In fact, according to History.com “By the last decade of the 18th century, the two major political parties – the Federalist Party and Democratic-Republicans – that had arisen began holding separate Fourth of July celebrations in many large cities.”

Salem Activities

Join Mayor Driscoll on Salem Common at 9:00 a.m. for the reading of the Declaration of Independence.  Lloyd Woodcock will read the document. Bob Kendall will provide piano music, Salem High School’s “Witch Pitch?” has been invited to sing the National Anthem, and audience singing will be led by Maureen Dalton.  Coffee will be provided by the Salem Common Neighborhood Association.

Free children’s activities begin at 5:00 p.m. with the opening of the Kids’ Space, where little ones can play games, win prizes and get their faces painted.  Also, stop by the Honest Tea tent for samples of their tea, sport, and kids’ juice line.

Live entertainment begins at 5:00 p.m. This year LUX quartet will be performing on main stage.  LUX is a funky/jazzy/quirky/entertaining/engaging ensemble from the North Shore and has played venues throughout New England.

Food tents are on site selling hot dogs, French fries, fried dough, kettle corn, and other favorite foods you might find at a fair.

Opening Ceremonies begin at 7:15 p.m. when Mayor Driscoll and other local dignitaries will lead a parade down the wharf accompanied by the Salem Veterans Honor Guard and Salem Boy Scout troops. Members of the Salem High School’s a capella group “Witch Pitch?” will sing The National Anthem.

Immediately following opening ceremonies, Maestro Dirk Hillyer and the Hillyer Festival Orchestra (HFO) will take center stage to perform a program packed with Broadway show tunes and patriotic music featuring soprano Jacyn Tremblay.

For intermission entertainment, talented musicians from Salem’s Collins Middle School band will play several selections from their repertoire.

At 9:15 p.m., Salem ends its Independence Day celebration with a fireworks extravaganza, accompanied live by the Hillyer Festival Orchestra playing the 1812 Overture and other patriotic tunes throughout the entire fireworks display.

Please note the following information for those planning to attend Wednesday’s July 4th celebrations in Salem

  • Be safe. To ensure a safe and fun celebration, the Salem Police Department will have enhanced security in place on July 4th. Guests are asked to carry any items in clear plastic bags and be prepared for possible bag checks by uniformed officers.
  • Say something. If you see something, say something to uniformed police at the celebration. In addition to officers who will be moving throughout the area all evening, you can also always find officers at the public safety tent, which will be clearly identifiable on site.  Concerns can also be called into the Salem Police at (978) 744-1212.
  • Derby Wharf access. Police will be monitoring access points into the Derby Wharf area throughout the afternoon and evening. Please plan for additional time to arrive at the wharf for the festivities.
  • Road closures. Derby Street from Herbert Street to Daniels Street, and Orange Street and Curtis Street at Essex Street, will all be closed to traffic from 5:00 pm. until 11:00 p.m.
  • Avoid driving to Derby Wharf. Seek parking downtown in a lot (www.parkinginsalem.com) or Museum Place Garage on New Liberty Street and the South Harbor Garage on Congress Street are available for parking at $5 for the day, with the proceeds being donated directly towards the July 4th celebration.  There is overflow parking at Shetland Properties on Congress Street, or take the commuter rail or Salem Ferry (www.salemferry.com) to avoid anticipated traffic congestion. The last MBTA trains depart Salem station at 10:40 p.m. (southbound) and 10:51 p.m. (northbound/Newburyport Line) and 12:01 a.m. (northbound/Rockport Line)
  • Handicapped parking. There is limited handicap parking at Derby Wharf and in the Immaculate Conception parking lot on Hawthorne Boulevard, which is first-come first-serve, and there is a mobility impaired/wheelchair seating section reserved at the beginning of Derby Wharf, so attendees do not have to traverse the park’s terrain.
  • Don’t bring fireworks. Salem has adopted the maximum fines allowable for both the sale ($1,000 fine) and use ($200 fine) of fireworks. In addition, a dedicated police unit will be tasked with enforcing the laws prohibiting the private use of fireworks. Please help ensure a safe July 4th for all and leave the fireworks to the professionals.
  • Harbor access. Recreational boaters and other craft will be restricted from the area around Derby Wharf and the channel in Salem Harbor and the South River for much of the evening. Mariners can call the Harbormaster’s Office at 978-741-0098 or on VHF 16 for emergencies after hours or for more information.

One final note, we would like to add. A community undertaking such as this is indeed a community effort.

“I’d like to express a special thank you to our Skyrocket Sponsors: Footprint Power – Salem Harbor Station, Salem Five and Tropical Products, along with our Star-Spangled Sponsors: Aggregate Industries, Tache Real Estate, Market Basket, Eastern Bank, and KV Associates, and Thermal Circuits,” commented Mayor Driscoll. “This event does not happen without their and many others support.”

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