Oct 272013
 

But, depending on the time 0f day/night, they may not lead out.

The City of Salem has published Road Closures & No Parking Zones for Halloween. And as a courtesy to our followers who may be nearby or are still miles away but planning to be here on the big day/night we are reprinting the schedule from the city website. Please note that all closures are subject to change based on conditions, crowd size, and other public safety factors.

Streets closed to traffic at approximately 4 p.m.( no later than 5 p.m.), and until approximately 11:30 p.m.

This means not only can’t you drive through these streets but if you parked there, you can’t leave either.No Parking

1.      Washington St. from New Derby to Bridge St.
2.      Essex St. from Barton Square to Union St.
3.      Derby St. from Lafayette St. to Congress St.
4.      Brown St. at New Liberty St. Second backup closure at Howard St.
5.      Lafayette St. from Derby to Front St.
6.      Hawthorne Blvd. from Derby St. to Essex St.
7.      Washington Sq. West from Essex to Brown St. Washington Sq. South closed. Washington Sq. North closed from Brown to Winter St.
8.      Winter St. at Bridge St. closed to inbound traffic.
9.      Williams St. at Bridge St.
10.     Congress St. closed at South Harbor Garage. Vehicles will be detoured to Pickering Way out to Derby St. Derby St. inbound traffic detoured to Little Hawthorne Blvd., right on Essex St. (Traffic direction will be reversed on Little Hawthorne Blvd.)

Streets closed to traffic from 10 p.m. until 11:30 p.m.

1.      Bridge St. will be closed to traffic between the westerly ramps and the Bypass Road.
2.      Incoming Bridge St northbound traffic will be detoured up westerly ramps to North Street. Bypass Road inbound traffic from Beverly will be diverted back to Bridge Street and back to Beverly. Incoming southbound traffic from Bridge Street will be diverted to the Bypass Road and back to Beverly.
3.      Franklin Street may be closed to traffic if needed.

Other closures or openings could be decided as special circumstances arise.

No parking tow zones from 4 p.m. to midnight. These will be enforced.

1.      Lafayette St. both sides Front to Derby St.
2.      Public parking lot along Front St. Public parking spaces located on Central St. in front of old police station.
3.      Essex St. from Barton Sq. to Hawthorne Blvd.
4.      Derby St. both sides between Congress and Lafayette St.
5.      Hawthorne Blvd. both sides.
6.      Front St.
7.      Central St.
8.      Washington St. from New Derby to Bridge St. both sides.
9.      Washington Sq. North, South, and West both sides.
10.     Federal St. both sides from Washington to Superior Court.
11.     Norman St. from Washington to Crombie St.
12.     Franklin St. on the Furlong Park/North River side of the street.
13.     New Derby St. between Klop Alley and Lafayette St.

Visitors planning to come to Salem on October  31st are strongly encouraged to take the commuter rail or ride the Salem-to-Boston Ferry. For more information about traveling to Salem during Halloween visit the Haunted Happenings website and to be notified about road closures follow @GetThruOctober on Twitter or our own Twitter account @SalemMainStreets.

We will also have this information at our new Visitors’ Info Booth, which is at the corner of Washington and Essex Streets, across from the Bewitched Statue.

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Oct 242013
 

Adults, your turn to party in Salem. Last weekend we pointed out many of the fun things taking  place for kids. Things weekend it’s literally one party after another or at the same time. Better have your costumes & real IDs handy! Many of these may be sold out, so call or email as soon as possible.

Christian Day10/25
The Official Salem Witches’ Halloween Ball, 7:30pm – 12:30am
Join Christian Day and the Witches of Salem with guests Dragon Ritual Drummers for a night of magic, music, and rituals at one of Salem’s most magical Halloween parties! You are invited to join them as in days of old when fires burned on every hilltop and Witches gathered to feast, rejoice, and cast spells for the new year! Dance in the Hawthorne Hotel Grand Ballroom, feast on sumptuous hors d’oeuvres, and participate in the Costume Contest . Book tickets at www.festivalofthedead.com, 978-666-0765

Harry Potter Salem Halloween Ball,  8pm-midnight
DJs Alvis and Zombi will play Halloweeny/80s New Wave/Wrock/ Goth/Industrial music, there will be photo opportunities, and a full bar. All ages welcome, 21+ to drink (bring ID). You may not bring your own alcohol. Costume required (HP preferable but any fabulous costume will do) Knights of Columbus Ballroom, 94 Washington Square East, 978-745-3408

Fright Night Ball, 9pm-1am
Come to Rockafellas for their Fright Night Ball upstairs in Colonial Hall. Cash giveaway upstairs for best costume. DJ Carla D spinning upstairs. Other features to the night include psychics, horror movies, liquor tasting, chef prepared delights and various swag. They will be offering VIP balcony tickets. For details & reservations go to www.RockafellasofSalem.com, 978-745-2411

10/26
Highrock’s Masquerade Ball, 6-9pm
This Ball is to benefit the North Shore CDC! Family-friendly gathering with games, dancing, and merriment at Salem’s Old Town Hall, 6-9pm. Admission gets you 2 drinks (21+, please bring I.D.), dinner catered by Celia’s Restaurant. Your favorite costume or fancy attire with a mask! The North Shore Community Development Coalition connects Salem’s families in need with affordable housing, education, and services to thrive. For more info visit www.highrocknorthshore.org or email brynn@highrocknorthshore.org.

5th Annual Zombie Prom, 8-11:30pm
The petrifying costumes, the non-stop dance party, the crowning of a Prom King & Queen and the 400+ Zombies who attended Zombie Prom last year, proves why this is one of the most talked about, anticipated Halloween Parties to attend in Salem. For more info, go to http://www.victoriastationsalem.com/, 978-745-3400

Nightmare on Hawthorne Blvd, 8-12am
The Annual Costume Party held at the historic Hawthorne Hotel is a night of food, music, and controlled chaos, interrupted only by a fantastic costume contest with up to $1,700 in prizes.  For more info, see http://www.hawthornehotel.com/Halloween, 978-744-4080.

Gulu Gulu Halloween Party, 8-11pm
It’s that time of year again! Our annual ticketed event featuring the music of the amazing DJ Noel Snow, dancing, a costume competition, and the best food & drink this side of Czechoslovakia!  Gulu Gulu Cafe, 740-8882

Voodoo Ball, 9pm-1am
Come to Rockafellas for their Voodoo Ball upstairs in Colonial Hall. With a Voodoo theme, choose your poison and dress to the nines because the best costume upstairs receives big cash giveaway. DJ Carla D spinning upstairs. Other features to the night include psychics, horror movies, liquor tasting, chef prepared delights and various swag. They will be offering VIP balcony tickets. For more info go to www.RockafellasofSalem.com, 978-745-2411

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Sep 152013
 

Salem MainStreets has always known that Haunted Happenings is an event worthy of national recognition. Now others not only know it, they are spreading the word. The American Bus Association (ABA) has announced that our month-long celebration is one of the Top 100 Events in North America for 2014 

ABA’s Top 100 Events in North America is an annual compendium of the best events for group travel in the United States and Canada. Each spring, a committee of ABA-member motorcoach and tour operators selects the Top 100 Events for the subsequent year; the list is unveiled in September. Winners are chosen from hundreds of celebrations, festivals, fairs, commemorative events, and more that have been nominated by ABA members.

Bus“The attractiveness of Salem Haunted Happenings as a don’t-miss entertainment value is only part of why its selection this year is such a distinction for Salem,” said Peter J. Pantuso, CTIS, ABA’s president and CEO. “The real news here is that Haunted Happenings has been recognized as a potential magnet for tourism dollars, at a time when re-energizing domestic tourism is so important to our spirit and our economy. The honor gives Salem, Massachusetts an important boost in visibility among professional tour planners.”

The Top 100 Events receive worldwide attention via the media–television, radio, and print–such as USA Today and CNN. ABA distributes some 10,000 copies of the Top 100 Events in North America magazine, featuring the winners, to all of its members and to thousands of travelers worldwide.

“Motorcoach groups spend more and stay longer,” Pantuso said. “That’s why Haunted Happenings is truly a local economic asset. There is no better way to jump-start tourism than to attract motorcoach groups to a great event and convince them to extend their stay.”

And unlike most other “celebrations, festivals, fairs, commemorative events,” ours is neither a one nor two day event; it is 31 days & nights filled with music, art, history, entertainment, costumes and magical moments.

Check out the several spots Salem Ma has designated for motorcoaches. Then, women & men, leave the driving to them.

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Sep 102013
 

Raised mugs will be the order of the day at Salem’s Old Town Hall this Saturday, 9/14/13 from 7-11pm as Pamplemousse and Social Palates are joining forces to host the third annual Salem Ma Oktoberfest.

The German-themed event will feature beer from local breweries as well as traditional fare from Salem businesses including Polonus Deli, the Flying Saucer Pizza Company and the Lobster Shanty. A continuous line up of entertainment includes local acts The Nick Consone Band, Qwill, and Freevolt.

Oktoberfest Salem MA (photo courtesy Social Palates)

“Everyone had such a good time last year, there were games, contests and many showed up in traditional costume,” says Pamplemousse’s Diane Manahan. “We knew right away that this would become an annual tradition.”

Featured highlights for this year will be the Bratwurst eating contest, the Apple Challenge, Kazoo-kioki, and the German costume contest with prizes in each category. The host this year is Erik Rodenheiser of the Griffin Theater as Olga, the Angry German Beer Wench.

All proceeds will benefit the Salem YMCA. Last year’s event raised over $5,000 to support the Y for All Campaign.

Manahan adds that “Local politicians are donating their time and dressing up in traditional German costumes to help with the cause. Look for State Senator Joan Lovely, Councillor at Large William Legault, Councillors Josh Turiel and Tom Furey as well as David Eppley and Beth Gerard who are running for Ward 4 and 6.”

Tickets are $20 per person (21 and older, please) and include admission, German hats and kazoos, a souvenir mug. Beer from Blue Hills Brewing, Narragansett, Cody Brewing and Notch will be available for $2 and $3 as well as German wine. A variety of German faire will be available for purchase.Tickets can be purchased at Pamplemousse, Salem Cycle, The YMCA (all located in downtown Salem) and at the door. This event has been sold out each of the past 2 years, so get your tickets early!

 

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Jul 252013
 

Festival time approaches! No not Haunted Happenings. That celebration of Halloween is reserved for October. Right now we in Salem need look no further than August and Heritage Days (Aug. 1-11 in various places throughout Salem).

Heritage Days has been a tradition in Salem for over 50 years and this year we have 11 days of fun-filled events for kids of all ages,” announced Mayor Driscoll recently. “I would like to thank all of the event organizers for their commitment to ensuring that this long-standing community celebration continues.”

And we at Salem MainStreets echo that praise for local businesses and attractions.

For example, new this year is a Bridge & Back 10K Road Race, sponsored by Tavern in the Square, with all proceeds going to the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Salem. Also new is the Ladies Night Out Run, where flowers await runners at the red carpet finish line and mouthwatering fine chocolates, hors d’oeuvres, and wine will also be available.

For those that are craft enthusiasts, the Salem Collective of Artists and Musicians will offer a free button and card making workshop at Artist Row.

The Salem Council on Aging will also host activities exclusively for seniors including an ice cream social, a wellness fair, a picnic at Winter Island, and a dinner dance.

mariasweet53Among the consistent big crowd drawing events are the Best Pizza Competition where over a half dozen local eateries offer samples, and on another night the Ice Scream Bowl features just as many ice cream establishments & restaurants offering something cool and sweet. Both events on the Salem Common.

And don’t forget the Essex Street Fair. This street festival has fun items for all ages, with something for everyone. Crafts, jewelry, paintings, stained glass, and more will be featured along the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall on Saturday & Sunday.

Truthfully there are too many activities to list in this blog. A complete schedule of Heritage Days events can be found on www.salem.com in the Events Calendar section.

 

 

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