End the Week by Finding That Elusive, Unusual Gift

Haunted Happenings, New Businesses, Resources, Salem Event, Salem Farmers Market, Salem Festivals, Salem Shopping No Responses »

Dec 142017

Looking for that “last gift” or stocking stuffer? Something really unusual? May we suggest you check out Salem Ma this Friday and Saturday for your holiday shopping needs?

Festive Fridays is an on-going December promotion designed to make shopping fit your schedule; many Salem merchants will be keeping their businesses open later on Friday night. Why drive all the way to a crowded mall, only to fight for a parking space? Everything in Salem is within walking distance, and there is abundant parking.

You may have browsed some of our stores during October’s Haunted Happenings and thought “I’d like to come back and check this store out when I had more time and not so many party-goers around.” Well, now’s your chance.

Then on Saturday, a wide range of local vendors will be present at The Salem Winter Market. Patrons can expect to fill their shopping bags with an assortment of foods and artisan crafts including seasonal produce, pasture-raised poultry, locally-caught lobster, baked goods, wreaths, handmade soaps, honey, pickles, gourmet ravioli, and artisan chocolates.

The Salem Winter Market takes place from 1-5pm at the Witch City Mall (formerly the Museum Place Mall, 1 Church Street) for your shopping convenience.

“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.

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 at 978/744-0004 x115.

Happy Shopping!

August Delivers Not One, But Two Festivals in Salem

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Aug 022017

While most communities have a festival honoring their past, Salem actually has two running concurrently. Our Salem Heritage Days Festival runs from Aug. 1-13, celebrating our past and present, while within it, you can also attend the Salem Maritime Festival, Aug. 4-6!

Salem Maritime Festival

If you wished to learn some of what passed for life in the days when Salem was a heavily trafficked trading seaport, the Salem Maritime Festival is the place to be. Knot tying, sign making, and boat building demonstrations await you

Hosted by Salem Maritime National Historic Site in cooperation with the Essex National Heritage Commission and Eastern National, the 29th annual Festival also features live music, historical reenactors, demonstrations, interactive programs, arts, crafts, and more!

Plus, there will be lotteries to earn a coveted spot on deck of either the Schooner Fame, the Schooner Ardelle or the motorized Catamaran Endeavour as they take passengers on a delightful tour of the Salem Harbor.

For the full list of scheduled events for the Salem Maritime Festival click on this link.

Heritage Days Festival

There is so much to do and see during the Salem Heritage Days Festival, organizers very smartly planned this event over several days. There are in fact so many things happening (including the a fore-mentioned Maritime Festival) that we are printing the entire scheduled calendar of events.

From ice cream to pizza tasting events, from clowns to firemen, from a street fair to a concert, from a car meet to a truck tour, you will be entertained, educated and excited about the option to do so many things at various locations within walking distance in the Downtown District.

August 4
Salem Maritime Festival Kick-Off Concert

August 5
Salem Maritime Festival
Salem Willows Clown Day
Wild Fish Open Water Swim Festival
Salem Willows Firemen’s Muster
6th Annual Bridgin’ G.A.P.S. Festival

August 6
5th Annual Bridge & Back 10K Road Race
Salem Maritime Festival
Tour-A-Truck
6th Annual Bridgin’ G.A.P.S. Festival
Salsa Sundays at Peabody St. Park

August 7
Salem Pizza Tasting
Salem Community Concert Band & Community Jazz Band
The Paul Madore Chorale Summersing

August 8
Shelter to Showpiece House Tour
Story Time at the Witch House
Ice Scream Bowl

August 11
Kids Night at Salem Common

August 12
Essex Street Fair
Ice Cream Social with Woman’s Friend Society
Berklee Summer Series Concert

August 13
Essex Street Fair
16th Annual Phillips House Car Meet
S.C.E.N.E.’S Sunset Hang
Salsa Sundays at Peabody Street Park

Bring a family member. Bring a friend. Bring yourself. A great day of fun and food (did we forget to mention there will be food everywhere?) await you.

Parranda— the Party continues at PEM!

Salem Dining, Salem Event, Salem Festivals No Responses »

Sep 152016

What do people in Salem MA and surrounding communities do on a Thursday night, that is the 3rd Thursday night of the month that other people don’t do? We go to a museum— to party! Tonight the PEM/PM party is called Parranda, from 6-9pm at the Peabody Essex Museum.

You are invited to join us at PEM celebrating Salem’s Dominican culture and community, on an evening where the museum stays open later for the general community to make greater use of the facilities in a way that brings people together through an exchange of ideas and culture.

Cut loose, get fired up and enjoy live traditional merengue tipico music as well as the latest hits in Dominican hip hop and electronic music.

But that’s not all there is to Parranda! Savor delicious foods, enjoy artwork by students from the Point neighborhood, create your own fufus, popular Dominican noise-making toys, or grab a pot and join the Parranda.

Co-organized with the North Shore Community Development Coalition, Parranda should foster a connection with the Dominican community through lively cultural exposure and exchanges.

While there is a $12 entrance fee at the door, Salem residents, college students and PEM members will have free access.

There will also be a cash bar and special small plates menu supplied by the Hawthorne Hotel.

The Peabody Essex Museum is located at 161 Essex Street, Salem Ma. For additional information, please call 978-745-9500.

Estas invitado!

Summer Heats Up in Salem with Cool Heritage Events

History, Salem Dining, Salem Event, Salem Festivals, Salem Shopping 3 Responses »

Jul 262016

Granted, Salem Ma is known for all things Halloween in the fall, but we are also known for putting on a pretty good summer bash in August with our Heritage Days Festival. This year it runs from Aug. 4-14th.

What makes it such a big deal along the North Shore?

Packed with more than 40 different events over ten days, the 2016 Heritage Days schedule uniquely offers opportunities for Salem residents to visit many downtown museums and attractions free of charge, as well as discounts on the Salem Ferry and tours to the Bakers Island Lighthouse.

That’s a business community at work.

Salem Mayor Kimberly Driscoll agrees, “I want to thank all of the organizations involved in putting together all of these events. Our community is extremely fortunate to have so many dedicated groups helping to ensure the continuance of Salem’s vibrant and fun annual Heritage Days celebration.”

Heritage Days kicks off this year at Derby Wharf with a concert by the SqueezeBox Stompers to mark the beginning of Salem’s Maritime Festival. The National Park Service is expanding the Maritime Festival to span over three days this year, filled with entertainment, special programs, children’s activities, demonstrations, harbor cruises, and tours of visiting vessels.

The regular Heritage Days schedule also includes all the regular favorites, as well: Tour-A-Truck, Salem’s Best Pizza Contest, the Salem Community Concert Band, the Ice Scream Bowl (one of our favorites) , Kids Night on the Common, the Essex Street Fair, and the 14th Annual Phillips House Antique Car Meet among others.

And of course what would Heritage Days be without the return of the highly popular Witches Cup Bike Race around Salem Common?

But that’s not all folks!

There are seven new events added to the schedule this year. They include free performances by traditional English Morris dancers, a performance of the musical “Godspell,” and Salsa on the South River. The first Salem City Hall Open House takes place on August 4. Also new is the first annual Splash & Dash competition for youngsters and, for seniors, a Charlie Card and Sheriff’s Photo ID program along with the GO4LIFE event and a lecture by Jim McAllister.

You can go to the shore or the Islands or the Cape anytime. But you can only enjoy the fun, food and friends of the Heritage Days Festival in Salem Ma from Aug. 4-14th. Mark your calendar. Set aside some sun tan and a hat. And, oh yes, bring comfortable walking shoes.

Farmers’ Markets: Profit In More Ways Than One

Salem Event, Salem Farmers Market, Salem Shopping, SMS News No Responses »

Jul 072016

Going to the Salem Ma Farmers’ Market today from 3-7pm in Derby Square? You will not be alone. Popularity of these markets as showcases of local farmers has been steadily growing each year. You will find healthy options and good bargains— if you know what to look for.

No less than Forbes magazine, a resourceful publication when it comes to money, reposted a blog this week with tips on getting the best out of a Farmers’ Market and getting the most out of your dollar spent.

The 7 Insider Tips For Cutting Grocery Costs At The Farmers’ Market are :

Make a Shopping List and Budget Before You Go
Do a Lap or Two First
Shop What’s in Season
Ask for a Deal When You’re Buying in Bulk
Get to Know the Farmers
Follow Your Local Market on Social Media
Consider Going Later in the Day

Check out the story for the full details. Then support local farmers by shopping at our Farmers’ Market, while at the same time getting some good bargains for you & your family.

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