Nov 162022
 

LAUNCH!

4:30 pm to 6 pm

Charlotte Forten Park, 289 Derby Street

Free, $5 suggested donation

Countdown at 6 pm

Come ring in the New Year with us!  Salem Main Streets and the City of Salem are teaming up to throw LAUNCH!, our family-friendly New Year’s Eve party, on Saturday, Dec. 31 from 4:30 pm to 6 pm on Charlotte Forten Park (289 Derby Street). There will be an early countdown just before 6 pm.

“It was emotionally really difficult having to skip this event for the past 2 years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When we organized LAUNCH! for the first time in 2013, it was immediately clear that there was a strong community desire to come together on New Year’s Eve,” states Kylie Sullivan, Salem Main Streets’ Executive Director. “Plus, there’s still plenty of time after our early countdown to get to your own party, or catch one of the many other great events happening all over town on New Year’s Eve!”

Programming will include art-making activities, face painting and/or temporary tattoos, a silent disco, and more! The event this year is being hosted by the Anthem Group’s Frozen Fire Festival, which is transforming Charlotte Forten Park into a winter wonderland from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1. Additional Frozen Fire features will include curling rinks, a S’mores and Hot Chocolate Garden, and The Polar Bar, featuring a selection of beer and wine.

Event activities are free to all and family-friendly, with a $5 suggested donation to help support Salem Main Streets’ “Holiday Happenings” initiatives, including Santa’s Arrival at the Hawthorne, the Tree Lighting, and the wreaths and ribbons around the downtown. Please note that food and drink do require a fee. LAUNCH! is made possible thanks to the City of Salem, our Salem Main Streets volunteers, and a grant from through the City of Salem and U.S. Economic Development Administration. 

Contact Elise at Elise@salemmainstreets.org if you want to hear about our event sponsorship or volunteer opportunities.

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Oct 052017
 

Trick or treating is a time-honored event in every community in America. But in Salem Ma, home of the month-long Halloween celebration known as Haunted Happenings, we give it a twist: trick or treating with the Mayor!

That’s correct. Kids get to visit local businesses with Mayor Kimberley Driscoll, Friday, Oct. 6th.

Beginning at 3:00 p.m. participating museums and attractions will also be open free of charge to Salem residents. Residents must provide a photo identification showing proof of Salem residency to gain free admission. Students may use a school identification card, bus pass, or a Salem Public Library card.

Mayor’s Night Out Trick or Treat is always great fun for Salem kids and participating merchants look forward to welcoming costumed trick or treaters on Friday evening. Trick-or-treating will begin at the big fountain by the Museum Place Mall at 5:30 p.m. and continue down the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall and around the shops in the Museum Place Mall.

Then families venture on their own to visit other participating businesses across the downtown district. This year several businesses are also joining in on the fun on Derby Street and at Pickering Wharf. Check www.salem.com for the complete listing of participating businesses. Costumes are encouraged! Trick or Treat bags will be provided by MAGIC 106.7. Once again, the Salem law firm of Mazow | McCullough, PC will be distributing safety flasher lights to help keep little trick or treaters safe and seen, especially during neighborhood trick or treating on October 31st.

Mayor’s Night Out and Trick or Treating has become a great tradition for Salem residents,” said Mayor Driscoll. “October is a busy time for our businesses and this is their way to say thank you to our residents, offering a day that lets our locals enjoy this festive season in their own community. Salem’s many small businesses have really embraced this program and are offering several new specials and events this Friday. I hope everyone will come downtown on Friday and take part!”

New this year, Salem Historical Tours & Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tours is offering a free tour to residents at 7:30 p.m on Friday. The tour will be approximately one hour and will touch upon seaport, Revolutionary, and witch trials history, with a ghost story thrown in as well. Call 978-745-0666 or email thesalemhistoricaltours@gmail.com to reserve in advance. Open to the first 50 Salem residents (proof of residency required).

Other merchant specials include: Victoria Station/Vic’s Boat House at Pickering Wharf is offering a free chocolate mousse desert with your meal if you mention ‘Mayor’s Night Out’; The Jolie Tea Company at 105 Essex St. will hold a tea tasting from 2:00pm-5:00pm, serving tea and sweets for free; Notch Brewery on Derby St. is offering free skeeball game for kids, with the purchase of an adult beverage from 3pm to 7:30pm and the Salem Arts Association is hosting a free exhibit “Cheers to our Volunteers” and “Faint of Art” at 211 Bridge St. They will be serving refreshments and a buffet of snacks from 5:00pm to 8:00pm.

Participating  Museums and Attractions

House of the Seven Gables
115 Derby St.
Always Free for Salem Residents
Open until 7pm
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New England Pirate Museum
274 Derby Street
Free for Salem Residents 3pm-5pm
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Peabody Essex Museum
East India Square
Always Free for Salem Residents
Open until 5pm
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NEW THIS YEAR!!!
Salem Historical Tours & Haunted Footsteps Ghost
8 Central St.
7:30 PM – Free Tour for Salem Residents
The tour will be approximately one hour and will touch upon seaport, revolutionary & witchcraft history with a ghost story thrown in also. Pre-Registration required. Call 978.745.0666 or email thesalemhistoricaltours@gmail.com to reserve in advance. Open to the first 50 Salem residents (proof of residency required).
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The Salem Museum
Old Town Hall – 32 Derby Square
Always Free for Salem Residents
Open until 5:30pm
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Salem Wax Museum
Frankenstein’s Laboratory
288 Derby Street
Free for Salem Residents 3pm-8pm
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Salem Witch Museum
19 ½ Washington Sq. North
Always Free for Salem Residents
Open until 10pm
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Witch Dungeon Museum
16 Lynde Street
Free for Salem Residents 3pm-5pm
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Witch History Museum
197 Essex Street
Free for Salem Residents 3pm-5pm
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Witch House
310 Essex Street
Free for Salem Residents 3pm-5pm

Participating Trick or Treat Businesses (at posting time)

• A Sacred Place Wellness Center
• Angelicas Angels Landing
• Army Barracks
• Aurora Restaurant Bar & Lounge
• Beverly Bank
• Captain Dusty’s
• Coven Cottage
• Coon’s Card & Gift Shop
• Eastern Bank
• Emporium 32
• Essex New York Pizza & Deli
• For Kids Only Afterschool
• Freaky Elegant
• Gallows Hill Theatre (with special guest: The Grinch!)
• Gulu Gulu Café
• Haunted Happenings Magazine
• Ledger
• Longboards Restaurant & Bar
• Lotus Gifts
• Mack Park Neighborhood Association
• Mazow ∣ McCullough Attorneys At Law
• Maria’s Sweet Somethings
• New England Dog Biscuit Company
• Pamplemousse
• Peabody Essex Museum
• Popped Gourmet Popcorn
• RJ Coins & Jewelry
• Salem Beer Works
• Salem Flatbread
• Salem Common Neighborhood Association
• Salem Moose Lodge
• Salem Witch Museum
• Sea Level
• Thai Place
• Trolley Depot
• Turtle Alley Chocolates
• Witch Pix at Salem’s Vintage Photography
• Witch Tee’s

As part of Mayor’s Night Out the Museum Place Mall Garage and the South Harbor Garage will offer free parking to Salem residents after 4:00 p.m. (proof of residency will be required when you exit the garages).

Please check www.salem.com under City News for an updated list of participants.

 

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Sep 032016
 

A word misspoken. A deed misunderstood. Common enough occurrences in today’s society where social media could quickly shed the light of truth on the situation. But there was a time when the only social media was word of mouth and when hearsay was taken as gospel. So stands the story of Bridget Bishop as presented in the interactive play Cry Innocent which begins its September season in Salem Ma today.

Bridget Bishop“The year is 1692. Bridget Bishop has been accused of witchcraft and YOU are on the Puritan jury. Hear the historical testimonies, cross-examine the witnesses and decide the verdict. Is Bridget Bishop capable of witchcraft? Play your part in history… ”

This traditional “must-see” performance is unique as it begins outside on our Essex Street Pedestrian walkway and then whisks you into the “courthouse” (our Old Town Hall). But not before you see costumed performers walking about, among you, for several minutes. Then conversations begin. Voices become louder. Proclamations! Exclamations!! Accusations!!!

Witchcraft is afoot in Salem and witnesses have seen Bridget Bishop doing and saying suspicious things. She dresses differently. She holds herself up differently. Is she “different?”

Purchase admission to the trial and you sit on the jury listening to testimony and for those brave enough, you can actually ask questions of witnesses and officers of the court. Then you decide, is Bridget Bishop guilty of being a practitioner of the dark arts?

No spoiler here, sometimes she is set free. Sometimes she is not. How say you? See the performance and judge for yourself. Did she commit a crime against society or was she a victim of a criminal abuse of community gossip?

Cry Innocent is a presentation of History Alive, Inc. which is committed to the “production of new plays and theatrical scenarios based on true stories from the past. Emphasis is given to interactive theatre so that actors and audience together, through a playful and dynamic way of engaging with history, might broaden their understanding of the present and gain a fresh sense of purpose within their own era.”

Performances are held weekends in September and October 1st – 31st. Approximate duration of the trial reenactment is 45 minutes.

Ask at the History Alive, Inc. box office cart, located in Derby Square, for directions to the location of Bridget Bishop’s arrest.

For more details on showtimes and ticket prices, check out the Cry Innocent website http://cryinnocentsalem.com/

For more information on History Alive, Inc. please email: historyaliveinc@gmail.com

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Aug 122016
 

StreetFairPostcards 2016 v2

As Salem Heritage Days winds down to its closing events, it does not slow down. This weekend, Saturday, August 13 & Sunday, August 14 from 10am – 6pm you will find the Essex Street Fair along the Pedestrian Mall. Rain or shine. The bargains will be on display!

This two-day festival is where over 40 artisans, craftors, and food vendors from in and around Salem join local merchants to sell their merchandise.

Fun for all ages, this street festival has something for everyone. Crafts, jewelry, paintings, stained glass, and other unique items will be featured along the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall all weekend long.

For more information, contact the Salem Chamber of Commerce at info@salem-chamber.org.

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Jul 272016
 

pokemon wantedFad or not, the search for Pokemon has quickly (and surprisingly) ingrained itself into the hearts and minds of people of all ages the world wide— and Salem is a perfect example with this Sunday’s (2-8pm) “SalemGo! Catch Em’ All!” city-wide Pokemon Go event that will include a scavenger hunt, a costume contest, various prizes, pizza, and (of course) Pokemon!

John Andrews of Creative Salem, one of the sponsors explains, “The event will be an all-day Poke-walk that will be open to any willing participants. You can casually follow the map with some friends, or you can participate in the Pokemon-Themed scavenger hunt that will take you all around town.”

Chris Ricci, driving force behind the project further explains that “SalemGo! Catch Em’ All!” will be a team event. “There will be a maximum entry of three people per team, so be sure to team up with some pals! Bringing a battery charger would be ideal, and you can get portable ones fairly inexpensively at electronic stores. And be sure to dress well for the weather! This summer has been unpredictable, and it could be a scorcher on Sunday, so dress well and stay hydrated!”

John adds, “So excited to be hosting this amazing Pokemon event this Sunday throughout Salem. Working with our friends at @livelongandpizza and @silvermoonc0mics and more, this is a must attend for Pokemon fans.”

In fact Flying Saucer Pizza Company will be the official Pokemon Center of the evening where you can grab a bite as well as some specialty drinks.

And Silver Moon Comics will be hosting the costume contest; everyone is encouraged to give it a go and have fun with it!

Salem Main Streets caught up with Chris Ricci for some additional insights on “SalemGo! Catch Em’ All!”

Fads come and go. What makes Pokemon Go different?

“Fads are interesting in more recent years as the vast majority of them have been strictly digital. Apps and games have taken the world by storm, and I distinctly remember everyone and their mother playing Angry Birds like there was no tomorrow.

But, now here’s Pokemon Go, which I think is extremely different despite falling in the same category. Pokemon Go combines the nostalgia of the old Pokemon games from the mid-to-late 90s and adds in not only a digital element, but a virtual reality element. The app quite literally forces you to walk around to accomplish anything, which is marvelous because it’s essentially an excuse to go outside.

Poke-walkNaysayers and detractors will say how people shouldn’t rely on an app to go outside, but why not?

People are having an incredible amount of fun playing it, and the game itself is inter-connected with everyone so if you see a Pokemon in your vicinity, other people in the same area can too. We live in an incredible town that has tons of places to not only catch Pokemon, but to earn experience points and to battle, and we also live in a place where people can feel comfortable doing so without the looming fear of something bad happening.

So, yes, this fits the mold for a fad, but the ripple effect that Pokemon Go is having on the city is unlike anything I’ve seen in games.”

According to Salem Patch, here are five of the many Pokéstops in Salem:

  1. Salem Witch House
  2. St. John’s Roman Catholic Church
  3. Essex County Bell
  4. The Lady of Salem
  5. Salem Superior Court Building

Have you found any at your office itself?

“Oh, of course! There’s been a whole bunch in the office and around the office itself. We live in a city that is very busy when it comes to Pokemon, and this was taken into account when it comes to the walk that is scheduled. It’s going to go through various terrain to insure that there are a wide range of different Pokemon to catch!”

And… What teams are you and the other sponsors?

“This is a good question. Personally, I’m on Team Valor (Red) and I know some of our sponsors are on Team Mystic (Blue), but in the end, the teams don’t really matter. Especially for the walk. You can have a team full of Valor members, or you can mix it up and play with your friends that are on other teams. When I designed the walk, I only had one thing in mind: having fun. And it’s much more fun to play with a bunch of friends as opposed to rivals.”

Be sure to check the Facebook page event for more info on “SalemGo! Catch Em’ All!”

And we will see you Sunday!

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