As Summer Fades, Salem Activities Don’t Cool Down

 Salem Event, Salem Farmers Market, Salem Festivals, Salem Shopping, SMS News  No Responses »
Aug 172017
 

Summer is almost over. Fun stuff done. No need to visit Salem until October. Right? WRONG!!! Here are just three things set for the next few days.

Farmers’ Market

Our successfully diverse Farmers’ Market continues its 2017 run (every Thursday now through Oct 12) with a host of regular vendors and a rotating batch as well.

For 8/17/17 come check out:

Cauldron Fermented Foods
Pour Man’s Coffee
1634 Meadery
Bare Cheek Beauty

Who is providing entertainment this week? From 5-7pm, Radio Scotvoid will be spinning vinyl jams. So, bring your dancing shoes. Or just a chair to set a spell and tap your toes!

Also, as an FYI… The Salem Farmers’ Market accepts the SNAP/EBT card. Just head for the Farmers’ Market table, located off Front St, on the Lobster Shanty side, and ask for the Market Manager. Use your SNAP/EBT card to “purchase” $1, $2, and $5 tokens. For more info on this program, go to http://salemfarmersmarket.org/ebt-info/

Salem Farmers’ Market operates Thursdays from 3-7pm in Derby Sq.

End of Summer Blues at PEM/PM

Does the thought of days getting shorter and darker earlier, and temperatures dipping bring out the end of summer blues in you? Put aside your trepidations. The Peabody Essex Museum has a festive alternative. This month’s PEM/PM late night party (also on 8/17/17) from 6-9pm will indeed be a party.

Enjoy local blues bands, lawn games and backyard BBQ food while enjoying a selection of beer. Be a part of the music with instrument making and blue jean art workshops to end the summer with a bash.

All that at a Museum? Yes, if it is the world-famous Peabody Essex Museum, located at East India Square, 161 Essex Street, Salem, MA. For more info on this month’s PEM/PM event, please call 978-745-9500.

The Salem Flea

Regional and local artisans/vendors will again be on hand from 10am-5pm on Aug. 19  to showcase and sell their work this third Saturday of the month as they have all season (May-September) in historic downtown Salem at Derby Square on Front Street. This area of the city was originally built as a market place and continues to be an important public plaza and pedestrian walkway.

The Salem Flea features a juried selection of vendors of vintage and up-cycled furniture, vintage clothing, collectibles, antiques, architectural salvage as well as a select number of jewelry, art, and handmade goods by local artisans.

Just three events with more than enough activity to keep you busy as the days of summer gently breeze away.

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National Farmers’ Market Week, Aug. 6-12

 Salem Event, Salem Farmers Market, Salem Festivals, Salem Shopping  No Responses »
Aug 082017
 

When you walk across Derby Square on Thursdays from 3-7pm you think you are at the local Salem Ma Farmers’ Market. And you are. But you are also participating in a shared national experience. To that end, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue has proclaimed Aug. 6-12 to be National Farmers’ Market Week

This is the 18th year in which the United States Department of Agriculture has put its stamp of approval on Farmers’ Markets; it has supported local producers by encouraging families to meet, and buy from, the farmers and other vendors at their local Farmers’ Market.

The proclamation points out that Farmers’ Markets and other agricultural direct marketing outlets contribute approximately $9 billion each year to the U.S. economy and “serve as significant outlets by which small-to-medium, new and beginning, and veteran agricultural producers market agricultural products, generating revenue that supports the sustainability of family farms and the revitalization of rural communities nationwide.”

There will be accompanying celebrations as thousands of U.S. Farmers’ Markets will highlight the range of produce, fruit, meat, dairy and specialty products available from their local and regional farmers.

As we have said in previous blogs, buying directly from farmers and ag-entrepreneurs has a significant regional impact by helping to diversify farm incomes while at same time supporting neighborhood businesses by keeping more money in the local economy.

In addition to being good for the farmers and convenient for consumers, Farmers’ Markets prove every week to be a gathering place that helps build a sense of community.

When you walk across Derby Sq. this Thursday at the Salem Farmers’ Market, besides looking at the fruit, veggies, breads, lobster, etc. also look at the people. You and they are enjoying the afternoon doing the same thing that other people are doing across the USA: having fun, looking for bargains, buying healthy food alternatives, and talking to each other.

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The Public Salon to Engage Community & Cultivate Local Talent at Farmers’ Market

 Salem Event, Volunteer Opportunities  No Responses »
Jul 192017
 

 

Whether you have artistic talent or not, you’re invited to take part in a very interesting project-based workshop that will be conducted for 6 weeks on Salem’s Artists’ Row during the Thursday Farmers’ Market from 3 to 7 pm.

Mayor Kim Driscoll and the Public Art Commission have launched the Artist in Residence: Pilot Program at Artists’ Row with Claudia Paraschiv, (architect and owner of Studioful – Architecture, Community Art, and Neighborhood Design, and founder of the Salem Public Space Project).

Paraschiv explains, “The purpose of The Public Art Salon is to create beautiful, participatory, resident-led projects on an ongoing basis to inspire local communities. Practically, we make friends and create projects in public space that connect local people and places. People come together to design and build community-driven projects, cultivate local talent, and build productive relationships.”

For example, on a previous such project in Dorchester, she worked with the community to build a 50-foot bench over the course of 15 weeks. It is equipped with sounds activated when you sit, sections with indentations for flowers, and even a chess-board ready for play while waiting for the bus. That was the driving need for the bench as the existing bus shelter and bench at that time were tucked away, out of the bus driver’s sight, causing for many a missed passenger.

Why Do It During The Farmers’ Market?

The Artists’ Row tenants chose to hold it during the Farmers’ Market to draw the market crowds onto the Row. Paraschiv is hosting the Salon between Boston Woodturning and Ceramics by Sibel. Salons are held outdoors for maximum visibility and accessibility. Additionally, Farmers’ Markets are a great place to incubate new types of civic practice as well as new business ventures.

Paraschiv added “I hope participants will enjoy expressing themselves through their creations, and feel a sense of pride and ownership at having contributed to a collective public art piece. I also hope participants will learn new skills from crafts to what plants are best for pollinators, and how policy and legislation affects pollinators. Finally, I hope people will feel a sense of joy, wonder, and community.”

The Public Art Salon is a free, drop-in friendly event open to all age and skill levels. Kids are absolutely invited, however, it is very much an activity for all ages since residents help build tables, as well as craft artistic surfaces, and more.

Salem Farmers’ Markets are in session Thursdays now through October, from 3-7 pm in Derby Square.

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Two Market, Two Market, Salem This Weekend

 Salem Event, Salem Farmers Market, Salem Festivals, Salem Shopping  No Responses »
Dec 152016
 

Not one, but two winter holiday markets take place this weekend in Salem and they are easily within walking distance of each other so you can see it all and bring home the best in crafts and foods.

Salem Winter Market

Salem Main Streets is pleased to announce the return of the Salem Winter Market!!  A seasonal extension of the Salem Farmers’ Market, this year’s final Salem Winter Market will take place Saturday, December 17th­, from 1-5 pm inside the Museum Place Mall (1 Church Street).

“The Winter Market is a fantastic opportunity to support local farms and artisans through the holiday season, and is a chance to find some truly unique holiday gifts,” states Kylie Sullivan, executive director of Salem Main Streets and organizer of the market.

“We’re also very excited to showcase our vendors in the Museum Place Mall this year, where we can complement and highlight the variety of great year-round tenants in the mall.”

A diversity of local vendors will be present at the Salem Winter Market this season. Patrons can expect to find an assortment of foods and artisan crafts including locally-caught lobster, dried fruit and nuts, chowder, baked goods (including vegan and dairy-free options), wreaths, handmade soaps, spices, honey, pickles, gourmet ravioli, almond butter, eggs, jewelry, and various produce.

In addition, both Santa and The Grinch will be stopping by throughout this Saturday’s event to spread cheer and grumpiness (respectively).

The Salem Farmers’ Market and Winter Market are organized by Salem Main Streets, thanks to the support of the City of Salem and Mayor Kimberley Driscoll, the Salem Chamber of Commerce, Destination Salem, and many other local business sponsors and community volunteers. For further information regarding current vendors and Winter Market updates, refer to the Market’s website, Facebook, and Twitter pages, or contact Kylie Sullivan directly.

Salem Holiday Market

But that’s not all folks. You say you want more? Look no farther than across the road to Old Town Hall. Where you will discover this weekend The Salem Holiday Market! This has become a much-anticipated annual indie craft show, featuring over 90 of the best local and regional designers and artists from all over New England.

The Salem Holiday Market will be presented by New England Open Markets, from noon-6pm on Saturday and Sunday, December 17th and 18th.

For a look at the vendors’ list and pictures of their wares, check out their website.

Kylie adds, “We were so thrilled with the success of our November market where we saw over 1,600 visitors!  Between the diversity of market vendors and the mall tenants, this December’s market will most definitely have something for everyone on your list.”

Then mix in the Salem Holiday Market and no matter the weather this weekend, you have a real good chance at a very rewarding walk or drive to Salem. You definitely will come away with your hands full of good bargains, good food, and good gifts!

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Winter Market Returns Just in Time for Thanksgiving

 Salem Dining, Salem Event, Salem Farmers Market, Salem Shopping  No Responses »
Nov 162016
 

SFM_winter

How many more people are suddenly coming for Thanksgiving dinner? Don’t panic. You can still serve them all, and with the freshest of items, because the Salem Winter Market returns this Saturday, Nov. 19th (and again on Dec. 17) with the best of the season goodies from area farmers and vendors.

A seasonal extension of the Salem Farmers’ Market, this year’s Salem Winter Market will take place on Saturday, Nov. 19th and Saturday, December 17th­, both from 1 pm to 5 pm.  The indoor market this year will take place inside the Museum Place Mall (1 Church Street).

You will wander through the Museum Place Mall to touch, smell, and feel locally grown & made items— and interact with the vendors themselves.

“How did you grow this?”

“What did you use to make this look like that?”

“How do I cook this to get the most taste out of it?”

That is what a Market is all about. You talk direct to the “manufacturer” with no middle man. No trucking company. No sales clerk. Direct and fresh.

“We are also very excited to showcase our vendors in the Museum Place Mall this year, where we can complement and highlight the variety of great year-round tenants in the mall,” says Kylie Sullivan, director of Salem Main Streets. “I think a lot of our residents underestimate the great range of retail, restaurants, services, and attractions that are in the Mall right now. There’s something to do and see every day of the week here!”

And who are the vendors at this year’s Salem Winter Market?

FARMS

  • Gibney Gardens (Nov only)
  • Grant Family Farm
  • Honey Pot Farm
  • Long Hill Orchard
  • Maitland Mountain Farm

SEAFOOD

  • A & J Lobsters

TEAS, HERBS, SPICES

  • Hannah’s Herbals
  • Salem Spice

SWEETS

  • Bella and Harvey
  • Grammy’s Bakery

WINES & HARD CIDERS

  • 1634 Meadery

JEWELRY & CRAFTS

  • Aerophytes
  • Heritage Handmade/Shine Jewelry

PREPARED FOODS

  • All Fruit Inc
  • Beckah’s Bangin’ Butter
  • K’s Kitch’n
  • Popped Gourmet Popcorn

 BED, BATH & HOME PRODUCTS

  • Bare Cheek Beauty

PASTA

  • Valicenti Pasta Farm

Mark your calendar for the Salem Winter Market, Saturday Nov. 19th at the Museum Place Mall, 2 E India Square Mall, Salem MA.Then bring a big bag or box. You will need it!

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