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.

Nov 122022
 

The Holiday Window Contest returns for 2022!

The holidays are here, and Salem is dressing up for the season with trees, wreaths, and ribbons. As part of the festive fun, downtown businesses decorate their windows especially for the holidays. Judges nominated by Salem Main Streets will make the rounds to vote on the best windows. Award categories typically highlight good retail design – use of store products or display of a business’ services – or types of design, like most traditional. Participating windows must all be decorated by Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022 – please contact elise@salemmainstreets.org to let us know you are interested in participating by Nov. 24.

Nov 102022
 
top of holiday tree

With a bustling Halloween season behind us, we at Salem Main Streets are feeling jolly when we think about our upcoming holiday initiatives geared towards bringing neighbors together and beating Winter darkness with twinkling lights, ribbons, and wreaths!

Contrary to local lore, all this decoration is not completed by fairy folk. Salem Main Streets has a tremendous team of volunteers willing to stand on ladders and wrap light poles with ribbon even on freezing cold mornings!

Please consider supporting this effort to make downtown festive and encouraging for folks to resist the appeal of hibernation and come enjoy their downtown.

$100 Wreath Sponsor

$250 Tree Sponsor

$500 Lighting Event Sponsor

All sponsors will be recognized on our website and social media. Tree Sponsors will be individually featured in the Facebook event. Lighting Event Sponsors will have additional 30 second video features on our social media as well as recognition in the press release.

Please contact Elise@SalemMainStreets.org with any questions. If you are feeling inspired to lend some sparkle, checks can be made payable to Salem Main Streets 265 Essex Street Suite 101 in Salem.

Stay tuned for the upcoming announcements about dates and times!

Aug 202022
 

Salem Main Streets is looking for local Salem enthusiasts to help greet visitors at the October Information Booth.  Volunteers will staff two booths at central locations in the downtown district, 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 are required to complete a one hour (in-person or virtual) orientation session.

The in-person orientation will be held on Saturday, Sept. 10 at 10 am and the National Park Service Visitor Center. Registration will open at 9:30 am. Please complete the SignUp link below if you are interested in volunteering even if you cannot make the in-person orientation. If you cannot make the in-person orientation for any reason, select the make-up option on Sept. 14 (even if you cannot make that exact date and time, the meeting will be recorded) so we know that you are interested. 

https://signup.com/go/fDuPAKK

Volunteers are needed for two hour shifts throughout the day each weekend in October, as well as Friday afternoons and some additional days as needed. 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 safe for visitors to explore all of Salem’s sites and attractions, please join us! 

For more information or to become a volunteer, please contact Elise Towle Snow at Salem Main Streets at (978)744-0004 x115 or elise@salemmainstreets.org. This program is organized by Salem Main Streets in partnership with the City of Salem, with support from Destination Salem.

Aug 192022
 

Salem Main Streets (SMS) is seeking candidates for a farmers’ market manager. SMS manages the Salem Farmers’ Market in Salem, MA to help promote local farmers, to support the needs of the local community for fresh local produce, and to create an even more vibrant atmosphere in downtown Salem. The market runs on Thursdays from 3 – 7 p.m. in Derby Square, on Front Street, around Old Town Hall and the Salem Marketplace, from June to October. The market manager is responsible for on-site management during the market season and numerous pre-season and post-season tasks to further the success of the market.

This is a seasonal, hourly position offered for $20 an hour.

Specific responsibilities of the Market Manager include, but not limited to the following:

Market Activities:

  • Set up and take down or oversee the set up and take down of market tent, tables, signs, road blocks, and other market day items.
  • Collect and deposit stall fees, commissions, and other market receipts.
  • Communicate space assignments to vendors.
  • Enforce market rules, local and state sanitation and food safety guidelines, and other pertinent laws and regulations.
  • Handle emergencies, complaints, and customer requests.
  • Maintain positive, non-discriminatory relations with all market vendors.
  • Oversee the market as an on-site coordinator from set up to tear down approximately 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday evenings in June through mid-October. Two possible weekend events before Thanksgiving and Christmas.
  • Other duties as required.

Market Organization and Development:

  • On a weekly basis, create a basic layout of the market with the goal of providing optimal product variety and balancing regular offerings with new vendors and products.
  • Work with SMS to manage supporting volunteer committee.
  • Maintain market data and help update Market databases.
  • Assist in recruiting and building a strong vendor base.
  • Help implement the Market Entertainment & Music Program, including selection of a diverse mix of performers.
  • Train and supervise market volunteers.
  • Organize and conduct a fundraising event for the Farmers’ Market in collaboration with SMS Events Coordinator.

Financial Management:

  • Work with SMS to establish an annual budget and monitor budget compliance.
  • Maintain updated records of all market expenditures.
  • Collect seasonal vendor fees at market and assist SMS with payment records
  • Conduct SNAP program in accordance with state regulations
  • Track all EBT transactions
  • Reimburse all vendors for EBT transactions
  • Ensure EBT device is updated, secure and usable before the market starts.
  • Stay up to date on latest aid initiatives to better serve the customers.

Qualifications:

  • Experience with project management, program coordination, or event planning.
  • Excellent ability to communicate verbally.
  • Conflict resolution skills.
  • Working knowledge of computer programs such as Word and Excel.
  • Experience working with diverse stakeholders.
  • Strong organizational skills
  • Ability to lift at least 50 pounds on a regular basis in varying weather.
  • Interest in farmers’ markets, agriculture, or food system issues.

This position will work closely and collaboratively with existing Salem Main Streets staff – a full-time executive director and part-time events coordinator. For more information or if interested in this position, contact Kylie Sullivan, Salem Main Streets, 265 Essex St., Salem, MA 01970, (978) 744-0004, or kylie@salemmainstreets.org. Interested applicants should submit a resume and brief cover letter for consideration.