We know Salem MA is and you know it is, but USA Today wants to know which community is the Best Halloween Destination. It has issued with 10Best.com a reach out to readers, asking everyone to vote once a day for their favorite in several Halloween categories, the most important of which is obviously Best Halloween Destination.
Salem naturally made the cut to the finalist group from which fans can select during the on-line voting taking place now through Oct. 12. Winners to be announced on Oct. 16.
We realize this is more a popularity contest based upon emotion, rather than a scientific survey based upon “number of people visiting” or “dollars spent,” but it’s all good. When you’re talking about Best Halloween Destination, a win in a popularity vote is impressive in itself.
So, who are the competition? As of press time, Salem MA (see scene below) was #2, ahead of:
New Orleans
Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.
Orlando
Tucson, Ariz.
Anoka, Minn.
Transylvania, Romania
Key West
Chicago
And who is/was currently the front runner as THE place to get all spooked out for Halloween?
Derry, Northern Ireland
“The fount from which Halloween springs can be found in Ireland’s Celtic roots. Born of the pagan autumn festival called Samhain, the beginning of the harvest and a time when the spirits were believed to be able to return to the plane of the living. Each year in this region, one of the world’s biggest Halloween celebrations creates more than enough joyful noise – music, fireworks and the like – to scare them back from whence they came.”
That’s what we are up against. Celtic roots.
It’s all in fun, with some bragging rights on the table. Join the conversation. Vote for Salem
Followers of our blog are well aware of the monthly “Night at the Museum-like” parties that take place on the 3rd Thursday of the month at the renowned Peabody Essex Museum. This Thursday is no different as PEM/PM invites you to take part in/and enjoy a sneak peek of the Strandbeests exhibition at PEM; you will explore ideas through action, motion, demonstration and participation.
What are Strandbeests? They have been described as large mechanisms constructed out of PVC that are able to move on their own. What? Move on their own? (Well, this is Salem MA…). They are the creations of Theo Jansen and by clicking the link below, you will see them in action.
Intrigued? You are not alone. And the PEM staff have cleverly woven into the framework of the PM event several activities related to the Beests. Even going so far as extending the evening which usually goes from 6-9pm to 11pm!
ALL NIGHT LONG BUILD YOUR OWN STRANDBEEST
Maker Lounge
Create a mini-beest with everyday materials (while supplies last).
THE BIG REVEAL
Special Exhibition Galleries | Level 2
Enjoy a sneak peek of the Strandbeest exhibition before it opens to the public September 19! PEM staff anticipate a large crowd and you might experience a wait to get into the Strandbeest exhibition gallery.
RACE A BEEST
Art Nook
Make your own battery-operated fan and move a mini-beest to the finish line with our Maker Lounge team (while supplies last).
SILENT DISCO
Studio 1, Create Space
Celebrate 25 years of Strandbeests by keeping your body moving like a beest, dancing the night away to some of the best ’90s jams (50 headphones available; first come, first served).
WHAT’S YOUR STRANDBEEST NAME?
Atrium
Head to the PEM/PM welcome table to use our Latin-based name generator and title your inner Strandbeest!
DJ NOEL SNOW
6-7:30 and 9:30-11 pm | Atrium
Party like a Strandbeest with digital mashups.
BEER TASTING
6-10 pm | East India Marine Hall
Sample popular Dutch brews!
PLANK WALK
6-10 pm | Bartlett Gallery
Participate in this team challenge to coordinate multiple joints to walk in sync with Beverly’s Project Adventure.
SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD DEMO
6:45, 8:15 and 9:45 pm | East India Marine Hall
Just as Strandbeests were originally created to protect the Dutch coastline, hear from Jim Turner, owner of Turner’s Seafood in Salem, discuss efforts to conserve and grow the oyster population in Massachusetts.
BOSTON PERCUSSION GROUP
7:30-8:15 pm | Atrium
A lively performance combining traditional classical instruments and found everyday objects.
ART IN MECHANICS
8-9 pm | Morse Auditorium
Join Swiss watchmaker Audemars Piguet and artist Theo Jansen, exhibition curator Trevor Smith and photographer Lena Herzog for a lively discussion about the similarities between Strandbeests and watchmaking. Seats are limited; tickets at information desk.
LIVE MUSIC AND VIDEO ART
8:30-9:30 pm | Atrium
Boston-based post-rock band I/O performs its latest album Saudade amid video projections created by Somerville artist Mark J. Stock.
OPERATE AN ORDIS
8:30-11 pm | Axelrod Walkway
Animaris Ordis is the foundation for all Strandbeests. Watch and learn how this multifunctional beest moves.
As always, a cash bar and small plates menu is available courtesy of the Hawthorne Hotel. Admission for members and Salem residents (with ID) free, nonmembers $10 at the door . For more details call 978-745-9500, (Toll Free) 866-745-1876. PEM is located aT East India Square (161 Essex St) Salem, MA.
Think back to when you were younger and looked forward to various street festivals held by churches and neighborhood nationalities. The sights, sounds and smells were invigorating. This Sunday, 9/13/15 relive some of those memories at the 2015 Salem Polish Fest, taking place on the grounds of St. John the Baptist Church, 34 St. Peter Street.
Come alone, invite a friend, and most certainly bring the family; the Salem Polish Fest will be held from noon to 8pm, rain or shine. And the inside activities will be in an air-conditioned hall!
Remember the food? Pierogi, Potato Placki, Grilled Kielbasa, Golabki, Polish Ice, Funnel Cakes, Polish Fries. You might find some of these among the delicious Polish food and baked goods for sale, along with beer and a full bar.
But that’s not all. It is most importantly a celebration of Polish culture & heritage. Expect to meet costumed dancers, hear ethnic music, and see gifts & souvenirs from Poland.
Speaking of culture and heritage, according to an article by Washington Mazurkerwitz and Veronica Ryewhiskey entitled “Recollections of the Polish Community in Salem” there was an “influx of Polish immigrants to Salem beginning in the 1890s. Many Polish immigrants sought work at the Naumkeag Mills and the many other textile and leather factories in Salem.”
They go on to point out that “Polish immigrants played a vital role in the history of the Naumkeag Mills in particular, and in the life of the city as well.”
So it is only fair that we celebrate their culture & heritage with them.
There will be games and attractions for children; raffles & prizes for adults.
There is no admission charge. Bring your appetite. Dobrej zabawy.
Salem is a community whose ‘life’ is steeped in the past, be it the history found in the witchcraft trials or maritime adventures or architectural advancements. So it comes as no surprise that a group of local vendors would build upon that theme with a special Vintage Market, Saturday, September 12th, in historic Derby Square, from 10am – 3pm.
Explains Jane Stauffer, one of the organizers, “We’ll have old prints, paper and artwork, vintage toys, mod-clothing and jewelry, plus home decor, along with retro kitchen utensils, ceramics, glass and gardening items.”
Also featured will be a diverse selection of textiles and linens, salvage pieces and some books and ephemera on Salem.
“We have such a variety of dealers,” advises Stauffer “that there will be something of interest for everybody.”
The group of Salem area dealers includes Connie Hoar from “ The Chalifour Collection,” Diane Guerette from “Decades of Decor,” Ann Knight from “Cabbage Rose Antiques,” Stacia Kraft from “Federal St. Designs,” Jim McAllister from “Culture Corner,” Gus Sousa from “Collins Cove Appraisers and Conservators” and Stauffer from “Homemaker Collectibles.”
And here’s a special treat, several dealers also plan to bring Halloween and Holiday decorations from the past.
“We hope people will come by and browse. You never know what you might find,” advises Stauffer.
Providing musical entertainment at the Vintage Market from noon – 2pm will be Rachel Baldwin; she is appearing as part of the Creative Salem, Derby Square free music series program which has been presented every Friday and Saturday in Derby Square from noon – 2pm this summer.
Mid-century modern, retro kitchen, pottery, textiles, vintage toys, glassware, salvage, prints, art & old Salem ephemera— all in one place. A great Saturday day trip or date. And it’s in historic Salem! How can you pass that up?
Has it been a month already since the last First Friday at Pickering Wharf? If you missed FF last month, this Friday, Sept. 4th is your chance to experience the interaction between your five senses and all that the Wharf stores have to offer.
What began as a plan to recreate an 18th century shopping village theme at Pickering Wharf has evolved into a visually serene landscape dotted with an eclectic line-up of gift shops and many, many, many places to stop for lunch or dinner.
Then add to it the special touch of a First Friday when merchants stay open later and offer some extra special deals as a way of saying “thank you” to customers, and you have a great day trip / ladies night out / guy’s night out destination this coming Friday Sept.4th
For example, show a receipt from any wharf merchant on this First Friday of the month, and the restaurants will take 10% off of your lunch or dinner that same day or evening (10% discount applies to food at participating merchants 62 Restaurant & Wine Bar, Brodies Seaport, Finz Seafood and Grill, Longboards Restaurant and Bar, Regatta Pub in the Salem Waterfront Hotel, Sea Level Oyster Bar and Kitchen, Vic’s Boathouse & Victoria’s Station.).
Find a good deal and enjoy a good meal. Pickering Wharf is located off Derby Street in Salem MA.
Salem Main Streets' mission is the continued revitalization of downtown Salem as a vibrant, year-round, retail, dining and cultural destination through business retention, recruitment, and promotion of the downtown district.
We know Salem MA is and you know it is, but USA Today wants to know which community is the Best Halloween Destination. It has issued with 10Best.com a reach out to readers, asking everyone to vote once a day for their favorite in several Halloween categories, the most important of which is obviously Best Halloween Destination.
New Orleans
