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

A Re-enactor at Salem Maritime FestivalIf 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.

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Jun 292016
 

Patriotism is something that will never go out of style, and in Salem MA we do up the most patriotic day, the 4th of July, in real style.

We kick off bright & early at 9am with Mayor Kimberly Driscoll on Salem Common introducing the traditional reading of the Declaration of Independence. Dann Maurno will once again read the document. Bob Kendall will provide piano music, a quintet from Salem High School’s Witch Pitch? will sing the “National Anthem,” and audience singing will be led by Maureen Dalton.

“There’s no better place to celebrate Independence Day than in historic Salem,” declares Mayor Driscoll to potential visitors. “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.”

And by ending the 4th of July with festivities, she means a BIG ending. At 9:15pm, Salem will loudly & proudly cap off its Independence Day celebration with a fireworks extravaganza, accompanied live by the Hillyer Festival Orchestra playing a rousing rendition of the “1812 Overture” and other patriotic live music throughout the entire fireworks display!

Salem's 4th of JulyWhat makes this all such a grand event in Salem is the setting. The Salem Maritime National Historic Site on Derby Wharf is not just a park or anonymous stretch of undeveloped land — it was the first National Historic Site in the entire National Park System!

That is historic in itself!

The Site consists of nine acres of waterfront land and houses a dozen historic structures. These include the Custom House, where famed author Nathaniel Hawthorne worked, and Derby Wharf, which was used by America’s first millionaire, Salem merchant Elias Hasket Derby. With historic Salem Harbor, including hundreds of boats moored and the replica of a 1700’s sailing vessel, the Friendship, as a backdrop, Independence Day in Salem is filled with the history that helped make America the free nation it is today.

But the history and patriotism doesn’t end there.

As an additional tie-in there will be a flyover by the 104th Fighter Wing from Barnes Air National Guard Unit, which is located in Westfield, Massachusetts and proudly claims the honor of being one of the oldest flying units within the Commonwealth.

As Salem is also the birthplace of the National Guard — yet another patriotic and historical element, Mayor Driscoll adds “it is especially meaningful for Salem to have a flyover by the 104th. Salem Common was the site of the first muster in 1637 and continues to host the annual National Guard muster to this day.”

Besides all that history, there will also be entertainment on the 4th of July program.

Live entertainment on the Main Stage begins at 5pm with The DITTO band. Lead vocalists and guitarists Gary Santarella and Roger Kimball have entertained audiences for over 40 years playing mainstream music classics by James Taylor, Neil Young, Harry Chapin, Simon and Garfunkel, Crosby Stills and Nash, The Beatles, and many others.

Opening Ceremonies begin at 7:15pm 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. The National Anthem will be sung by Nadine Adisho, Leah Morgenstern, Danielle Gautier and Tyler Leger of Salem High School’s a capella group Witch Pitch?

Immediately following opening ceremonies Maestro Dirk Hillyer and his orchestra will deliver another great 4th of July program as they have in years past.

Dr. Hillyer reveals, “This year we are doing a 50 year anniversary of the music from 1966—The Mamas and the Papas (California Dreamin’), Beach Boys (Good Vibrations), Henry Mancini film hits (Pink Panther, Peter Gunn), and cartoon favorites like Flintstones! Of course we’ll do our popular Tchaikowsky “1812 Overture” to the fireworks along with other patriotic greats! Bring your blanket and join in on the fun!”

For this year’s intermission entertainment there will be two additional treats. A delegation of talented 8th grade singers from Salem’s Collins Middle School will be performing and members of the Marble head Little Theater will entertain the audience with songs from Broadway.

If you are bringing the kids, take note that earlier in the afternoon free children’s activities begin at 4pm with the opening of the Kids’ Space, where young ones can play games, win prizes and get their faces painted, all thanks to the generosity of the MeetingHouse Church in Salem and Walmart. Also, look for the MAGIC 106.7 street team along with the MGH Pediatrics tent on-site with lots of cool give-a-ways.

And of course, on site Food Tents will also open at 4pm with hot dogs, French fries, fried dough, kettle corn, and other favorites.

Join your friends & neighbors and fellow Americans as we share an Independence Day of patriotic pride in a setting that is historic in itself, The Salem Maritime National Historic Site on Derby Wharf.

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Jun 282015
 

Salem's 4th of JulySalem Ma is as patriotic as any other community, with many extras as a backdrop to the history that helped make America the free nation it is today.

“There’s no better place to celebrate Independence Day than in historic Salem,” points out 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.”

If you’re not locked into spending Independence Day in Boston, Washington DC or Philadelphia, then why not Salem Ma? We’ve tried to make it very convenient. The Salem Maritime National Historic Site, from which you can see the fireworks, is just a 10-15 minute walk through downtown Salem from the Salem MBTA station, or any of the parking facilities.

  • Did you know that the Salem Maritime National Historic Site was designated as the first National Historic Site in the National Park System? It consists of nine acres of waterfront land and houses a dozen historic structures. These include the Custom House, where famed author Nathaniel Hawthorne worked, and Derby Wharf, which was used by America’s first millionaire, Salem merchant Elias Hasket Derby.
  • Did you know that when the United States was young, ships from Salem, MA helped to build the new nation’s economy by carrying cargo back and forth from the West to Asia? With historic Salem Harbor, including hundreds of boats moored and the replica of a 1700’s sailing vessel, the “Friendship,” as a backdrop, Independence Day in Salem is overflowing with historical references.

“This year we are very excited to have a flyover by the 104th Fighter Wing from Barnes Air National Guard Unit,” states Mayor Driscoll. The 104th Fighter Wing of the Massachusetts Air National Guard, located in Westfield, MA, proudly claims the honor of being one of the oldest flying units within the Commonwealth.

“As the birthplace of the National Guard, it is especially meaningful for Salem to have a flyover by the 104th,” adds Mayor Driscoll. Salem Common was the site of the first muster in 1637 and continues to host the annual National Guard muster to this day.

(Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick signed legislation designating the city of Salem as the birthplace of the National Guard during a ceremony held in city hall here, Aug. 19, 2010. Then on Jan. 10, 2013, President Barack Obama signed into law a bill that designated Salem, Mass., as the birthplace of the National Guard.)

Convinced of our historical credentials? Then you are cordially invited to join Mayor Driscoll on Salem Common at 9 am for the reading of the Declaration of Independence. The special program begins with the Star Spangled Banner, sung by members of the YMCA of the North Shore Glee Club. The Declaration of Independence will be read by Dann Anthony Maurno, a Salem resident, actor and author. Musical selections will be performed by Robert Kendall on keyboard. and Salem resident John Howard will lead the audience in singing America the Beautiful. (And, coffee will be provided by the Salem Common Neighborhood Association through the generosity of Starbucks.)

Salem 4th of JulyFree children’s activities begin at 4 pm with the opening of the Kids’ Space, where kids can play games and get their faces painted, all thanks to the generosity of the REMIX Church in Salem and the Salem YMCA. Food tents on site also open at 4 pm with (what else?!!) hot dogs, French fries, fried dough, kettle corn, and other fair favorites.

Live entertainment on the Main Stage begins at 5 pm with LUX, a band capable of seamlessly going between genres from an all-out up-tempo funky number to a traditional jazz band tune. Band members include Todd Clancy on his 8-string guitar, PJ Holaday on drums, Jared Holaday on saxophone, and singer Blair Leavitt.

Opening Ceremonies begin at 7:15 pm 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. The National Anthem will be sung by the YMCA of the North Shore Glee Club Select, which includes Marena Anderson, Sam Bigus, Emma Lipinski, Chloe Panico, and Jacob Pini, directed by YMCA Music Director Samantha Gambaccini.

Immediately following opening ceremonies, Maestro Dirk Hillyer and his orchestra will be offering another top-notch Pops experience. “We don’t want to give the whole program away,” states Hillyer, “but you can be assured that we have another year of great music selections from Carousel to The Prayer with special guest soloists Erin Smith, soprano, and Ben DiScipio, tenor. They will blow your socks off! Set your blanket down early to get a good spot!”

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

And then it’s time to go home. But what a time we hope you had!

As with every year, we wish to extend a big thank you, in advance, to City employees and volunteers who worked on this project.

Adds Mayor Driscoll “I’d like to express a special thank you to our Skyrocket Sponsors: Footprint Power – Salem Harbor Station, Salem Five, and Walmart, along with our Star Spangled Sponsors: Aggregate Industries, Tache Real Estate, Market Basket, Eastern Bank, and KV Associates, and our new sponsor this year, Tropical Products Inc. Salem is fortunate to have such a generous business community that continues to support this celebration.”

(Cover photo is a moment in time from video scenes photographed and produced by the National Park Service as part of the July 4th, 2013 “Celebrate the 4th” event held by the City of Salem)

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