Holidays – Page 10 – Salem Main Streets

FYI: Rules/Advice for Arriving & Departing Halloween in Salem MA

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Oct 252015

Fun is the operative word for Halloween day and evening this coming Saturday in Salem MA. And to make it so for event sponsors, participants, observers, and folks who aren’t even taking part, the City of Salem has put some measures into place. These can be broken into things to do/not do when you get here and for when it is time to say good night.

For the full list of rules check out the Haunted Happenings website.

Getting here should be a calculated experience. There will be numerous road closures posted on various sites and twitter accounts. Check them out for the most up-to-date info as there will be road delays, detours, and blocked streets. We’ve been here/done that for enough years to know it to be a stone-cold fact. Definitely arrive before 8:30pm.

And don’t get stuck. For example if you do decide to arrive by car and look to park at the MBTA station, be advised that it will be closed from 8pm to 1am. Keep that in mind. You won’t be able to leave early.

Speaking of the MBTA, it would be an excellent alternate source of transportation as extra trains have been put on the schedule.

For if you do drive and you mistakenly or blatantly (the law does not differentiate) park in one of our many “Resident Parking” zones assigned to local residents, you will be fined and your vehicle quite possibly towed.

To make it a safe environment for all, obviously bring no weapons, real or artificial as they will be confiscated— same goes for alcohol.

When it is time to go— you will know as we put on a lively fireworks show beginning around 10:15pm and ending 10:30pm— we ask that you do go quietly into the night. There are many apartments and homes of residents on your paths exiting the city’s downtown district.

And if you had parked at the train station, (which we advised against earlier in this blog) you will not be able to get your vehicle out, as the garage will be closed from 8pm to 1am.

On the other hand, if you came by train, you have ample time to trek to the Salem Depot where the last train departs around 11pm.

Fun is the operative word for the big finale of Haunted Happenings 2015, but to make it so, everybody has to be on the same page. Be safe. Be considerate. Use common sense.

‘World Peace’ Theme for This Year’s Grand Parade

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Sep 292015

As the temperatures and leaves begin to drop, the anticipation begins to rise. October is almost here! And with it comes the 20th Annual Grand Parade to kick off the month-long Haunted Happenings celebration of all things Halloween.

Set for Oct. 1 at 6:30pm, this annual Salem Chamber of Commerce event gives children (of all ages) their chance to launch Haunted Happenings with a great kick off parade. The theme this year is World Peace, which will be reflected in costume and float designs.

When we say children of all ages, we mean exactly that. From kindergarten to high school to college age, once a parade-walker, always a parade walker. We have many Salem residents that have grown up in the annual Parade— who might even have their children now stepping off Thursday night.

According to the Chamber “This time honored kick off of the Halloween season is full of color, pageantry, music and the enthusiasm of thousands of Salem’s students … their participation is what makes this a highly successful, cherished event for our community.”

The actual route snakes through enough streets that watchers have ample choices to observe: from Shetland Properties on Congress Street, the Parade procession will intersect Derby Street & turn left, then right onto Central Street, then left onto Front Street, right onto Washington Street, right onto the Essex Street Pedestrian walkway, and finally head for the conclusion at the Salem Common.

Of course, none of this would be possible without many helping hands, and the Chamber is still looking for a few more volunteers to help run this one-of-a-kind event. Be part of the parade and part of our community! Email info@salem-chamber.org or call 978-744-0004 if you’re interested in joining us (oh, we do mean join us, we’ll be there helping out).

Weather for the evening is expected to be a cool 47 degrees under partly cloudy (spooky?) skies. Good conditions for parade walking & watching!

Is Salem THE Halloween Destination?

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Sep 212015

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

Release the Beest and Have a Creative Fun Night at PEM/PM

Salem Event, Salem Festivals No Responses »

Sep 162015

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.

(Photo of Theo Jansen taken by Loek van der klis)

Did You Forget This Is a Sales Tax Holiday Weekend?

Salem Event, Salem Shopping No Responses »

Aug 162015

Don’t feel badly if you either forgot or were unaware that Saturday & Sunday of this weekend had been designated as a “sales tax holiday weekend.” Important thing is you know now and can make your plans to “cash in” on some already great shopping options today at Pickering Wharf, along Front Street, Derby St, Washington St, etc.

Drive, ride a bike, or even be carried. Just get here any way you can.

If you want to get into the fine points of what exactly is and is not tax free go to this Department of Revenue site. Here is the basic info:

A recently enacted statute provides for a Massachusetts “sales tax holiday weekend,” i.e., two consecutive days during which most purchases made by individuals for personal use will not be subject to Massachusetts sales or use taxes. St. 2015, c. XXX (“the Act”). The Act provides that the sales tax holiday will occur on August 15 and 16, 2015 and on those days, non-business sales at retail of single items of tangible personal property costing $2,500 or less are exempt from sales and use taxes, subject to certain exclusions. The following do not qualify for the sales tax holiday exemption and remain subject to tax: all motor vehicles, motorboats, meals, telecommunications services, gas, steam, electricity, tobacco products and any single item whose price is in excess of $2,500. The Act charges the Commissioner of Revenue with issuing instructions or forms and rules and regulations necessary to carry out the purposes of the Act.

And we are not alone. A total of 18 states and Puerto Rico are part of this parade. It is a great way to stock up on back to school supplies. But check first if you are going to try to stretch the rules. For example, while some states will allow a Halloween costume as apparel, the mask does not qualify.

An article on CNBC reports “Take Massachusetts. Last year, traffic over its two-day tax holiday increased 23.9 percent compared to the prior weekend, while sales increased nearly 60 percent, according to RetailNext data.”

In other words, save some money.

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