Parade To Set Tone of Haunted Happenings

 History, Salem Event, Salem Festivals, Volunteer Opportunities  No Responses »
Oct 032016
 

While October 1st technically starts Salem’s month-long celebration of Halloween, the real kick-off has been the Annual Salem Chamber of Commerce Haunted Happenings Grand Parade. This year, the 21st annual parade will be held Thursday, Oct. 6th from 6:30pm-8pm.

chamber-halloween-paradeThe Salem Chamber of Commerce cordially invites you to participate as a walker, to become a volunteer, or just attend this year’s event, which will feature the theme “100 Years of Parks and Play.”

The term “children of all ages” could not better describe the participants as thousands of Salem’s students from kindergarten to college and our local business owners will be ready to march from Shetland Park to the Salem Common.

Along the way you will see colors, lights, sounds and faces of kids basking in the limelight that for that given moment they are the center of attention. They represent all that is fun about Salem.

The Annual Salem Chamber of Commerce Haunted Happenings Grand Parade will be starting from Shetland Properties on Congress Street then turning left onto Derby Street, right onto Central Street, left onto Front Street, right onto Washington Street, right onto the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall and ending at the Common.

This will necessitate certain road closings from 6pm until 9:30pm.

  • Congress Street will be closed from Harbor Street to Derby Street.
  • Derby Street will be closed from Congress Street to Central Street.
  • Commuters will not be able to use Route 1A between Dodge St. and Brown Street which includes Derby Street, Hawthorne Boulevard and Washington Square at the Common entrance.
  • Front Street and Washington Street between New Derby Street and Church Street will be closed.
  • Essex Street will be closed at Washington Street.

When it all stops at the Common, it does not end as there will be a continuing celebration with local favorite DJ Doug entertaining the crowd.

For the latest developments, please check the Salem Chamber of Commerce Haunted Happenings Grand Parade Facebook page

It is a parade, it is a party, it is a traveling brochure of things to come during Haunted Happenings in Salem Ma. this month. And by attending, you will be a part of it!

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Costumed Cats, Disguised Dogs, All Part of Salem’s “Howl-O-Ween”

 Contests, History, Salem Event, Salem Festivals, Volunteer Opportunities  No Responses »
Sep 282016
 

Have your pets been acting a little strange the past few days? Dogs and cats almost meeting in secret corners of your home? What could they have in common to discuss? How about this Sunday’s upcoming 2nd Annual Howl-o-ween Pet Parade.

howl-o-weenYes, a Halloween-themed parade with pets as costumed participants; steps off at Derby Sq., Oct. 2 at 1 pm.

“Salem is going to the dogs, and we couldn’t be happier about it,” explains Kylie Sullivan, Executive Director of Salem Main Streets, which is producing the 2nd Annual Howl-o-ween Pet Parade.

“Last year’s event was an enormous success with some amazing costumes,” she says “and we’re anticipating that this year will be even bigger. 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 2nd Annual Howl-o-ween Pet Parade will include a pet photo booth by Salem Pet Photo, an area with information about local rescues and pet-focused downtown businesses, as well as the parade and costume contest with prizes.

Kylie points out, “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.”

While the  Howl-o-ween Pet Parade is a free event, pet-owning participants will be asked to register their pet’s name for judging and verify that all required vaccinations are up-to-date.

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

Salem Main Streets along with Salem Pet Photo, the New England Dog Biscuit Company, Creative Salem, Artists’ Row, and a number of other community partners are producing this 2nd Annual Howl-o-ween Pet Parade.

This event is rain or shine.

For additional or specific pet-related details, contact Salem Main Streets at 978-744-0004, or by email at kylie@salemmainstreets.org, or visit the website at www.salemmainstreets.org .

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Free Admission Today to Witch Museum During Museum Day Live!

 History, Salem Event  No Responses »
Sep 242016
 

salem-witch-museumNot a Halloween trick, but an early treat, courtesy of  Smithsonian magazine, you & a guest are cordially invited to visit the Salem Witch Museum today, (9/24/16) free of charge!

Museum Day Live! is an annual celebration of boundless curiosity hosted by Smithsonian magazine. Participating museums and cultural institutions across the country provide entry to anyone presenting a Museum Day Live! ticket.

These special tickets  must be ordered on line.

Interestingly and to show how Salem blends the historical with the modern, the Salem Witch Museum will accept your Museum Day Live! ticket directly from the screen of your smartphone!

Is it witchcraft or science? Curious.

The Salem Witch Museum is located at 19 1/2 Washington Sq. North, Salem MA and will be open today from 10am-5pm. For more info call 978-744-1692.

 

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Love Salem? Share Your Enthusiasm as a Volunteer

 Salem Event, Salem Festivals, SMS News, Volunteer Opportunities  No Responses »
Aug 282016
 

Over 20,000 visitors served during the Haunted Happenings weekends and holidays in October! That’s the final head count for last year’s Information Booth Volunteers. What will it be this year? Join us and be a part of this rewarding community effort.

Salem Main Streets is looking for volunteers with enthusiasm for Salem to help greet visitors at the October Information Booth. Volunteers will staff the booth at the start of the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall handing out maps and sharing information about Salem’s wide variety of attractions, events, and businesses.

All volunteers are asked to be available for a minimum of two shifts for two hours each and will be required to complete a one hour orientation session. The orientation will take place on Saturday, September 10 at 9:30am at the National Park Service Regional Visitor Center, 2 New Liberty St, Salem. SIGN UP FOR ORIENTATION NOW!

Info Booth 1This is a great experience for new volunteers who not only will be updated on new October events, but will also interact with returning volunteers who in turn will share insights and information with those new to the program.

Volunteers are needed for:

  • Two hour shifts throughout the day each weekend in October
  • October 6 (Parade night)
  • October 10 (Columbus Day)
  • October 31 (Halloween Night)

We are also looking for multi-lingual volunteers to assist the many international visitors who come to Salem.

If you have availability some of these days, enjoy helping visitors by showing them your enthusiasm for our cultured and historic city, and want to make it fun and easy for visitors to explore all of Salem’s sites and attractions, please join us!

For more information or to become a volunteer please contact Kylie Sullivan, Salem Main Streets’ Executive Director, at (978)744-0004 x15 or kylie@salemmainstreets.org. This program is a partnership between Salem Main Streets, the National Park Service, the City of Salem, Destination Salem, and the Salem Chamber of Commerce.

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Who’s Ready for Halloween? Haunted Happenings Guide Deadline Moved Up

 Salem Event, Salem Festivals  No Responses »
May 052016
 

Haunted HappeningsWhile the calendar says it is only May and summer is not far away, for many businesses in our Downtown District it signals that Halloween in the form of Haunted Happenings is less than six months away! Believe it or not, phone calls are beginning to come in to hotels and attractions seeking information.

In response, D2015_Coverestination Salem has wisely decided to move their deadline for the Salem Haunted Happenings Guide WAY UP this year. The deadline for submissions is THIS FRIDAY!

If you operate a business in Salem that participates in the Haunted Happenings extravaganza and are planning an October event or want to advertise to these inquiring visitors, do not miss out!!!

To find out more about Destination Salem’s integrated Haunted Happenings print and digital marketing campaign go to their website. Questions? Call 978-741-3252. Fax 978-741-7539. Email scooper@salem.org

 

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