PARTIES ON HALLOWEEN WEEKEND IN SALEM!

Here are the parties this Halloween weekend that we have in our scheduling so far. Many have sold out or are close to selling out. Once everyone is filled to capacity there are many area restaurants and pubs that will be open also. So make reservations today!

October 30
The Dumb Supper: Dinner with the Dead - 6:30pm - 10pm Hawthorne Hotel.
The Salem Witches honor the dead with a sumptuous dinner observed in silence as touching music plays. 800.595.4TIX • FestivalOfTheDead.com

October 31
Halloween Finale - Federal & Washington Streets
The 27th Annual Salem Haunted Happenings will conclude with an original sound and light show produced by VDA Productions, Inc., of Somerville, MA. The closing ceremony will combine music, light, and movement soaring into the night sky followed by a fireworks finale over the North River. The entire event will provide a exciting, unique conclusion to Salem’s Haunted Happenings festival and Halloween night. In addition to the finale, bands and DJs will be situated throughout the downtown on Halloween night, including the very popular Undercover Band on Front Street and Grateful Ted on Hawthorne Boulevard. All public music will end at 10:15, and audiences will be encouraged to venture toward the finale on Washington Street before leaving Salem via MBTA or private transportation at the conclusion of Salem Haunted Happenings and the Halloween Festivities, which will be at 11:00 PM. 978.741.3252 • HauntedHappenings.org

Celebrate Halloween at Crunchy Granola Baby! - 3pm - 5pm • 72 Washington St.
Throw on your best costume with your little ones and enjoy organic treats. 978.741.0800 • CrunchyGranolaBaby.com

Sixty2 on Wharf Halloween Cocktail Party - 7pm - 12pm • 62 Wharf St.
Join Sixty2 on Wharf for our very first Halloween cocktail party. Friday, October 31st. from 7pm to midnight for a night that will wake the dead. You will enjoy complimentary passed hors d'oeuvres and appetizers from our menu and creative halloween cocktails from our cash bar. We'll also be featuring live music by our very own bartender and local musician Derek Rando. Costumes are a must as well as 21+. Door prize will be given to the most spooktacular costume!! Space is limited so please call 978 744 0062 or stop by and reserve today! Cost is $35 per person. Tax not included
978-744-0062 • 62onwharf.com

The Hawthorne Hotel's Carn-Evil Creep Show Costume Ball - 8pm - 12am • Hawthorne Hotel
Three floors of entertainment, fun and food. Tickets are $90 per person. Live entertainment featuring the popular band "HUSH", DJ's, limited edition t-shirt, and photo. Costume contest with $1500 in cash prizes. Must be 21 years of age or older with proper ID at the door. Tickets can be purchased on our website or call. 978.744.4080 • HawthorneHotel.com

Salem's Witches present A Feast to the Spirits - 8pm - 12am • Lyceum Restaurant
In honor of the Little Lost Ghost discovered at the Lyceum as seen on the Sci-Fi Channel's "Ghost Hunters". An evening of ritual, dhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifelectable food, fun, and a time to honor the spirits around us. Tickets are limited. Cost $90 per person. Purchase at Crow Haven Corner. 978.745.8763 • CrowHavenCorner.net

Halloween at Capt's Topsides - 8pm - 12am • 94 Wharf St.
Put on your best costume and join us for a party overlooking the haunted harbor of Salem. Music, costume prizes, great food included, cash bar. Cost: $50 advance/$60 at the door per person. Call for tickets & reservations. 978.741.0555 •

November 1
The Official Salem Witches' Halloween Ball - 7:30pm - 12:30am • Hawthorne Hotel
18+ Join the Salem Witches with guests Fiona Horne, Wendy Rule, and Dragon Ritual Drummers for the event AOL rates among America's top Halloween parties! Free readings! $1,000 prize! 800.595.4TIX • FestivalOfTheDead.com

TAKE A RIDE FOR A WITCHES-EYE VIEW OF SALEM!

On Saturday afternoon, October 25 from 10 am to 5 pm tethered hot-air balloon rides will take passengers aloft for a stunning view of the city from Washington Square. High-5 Ballooning of New Hampshire brings its "Smile High" balloon for a full afternoon of flights, open to both children and adults. (Weather Permitting!!) After many years, the glorious tradition of ballooning on the Salem Common returns, just in time for the Haunted Happenings weekend that will feature the City's first annual Oktoberfest and the Children's Costume Parade.

FAMILY FUN FEST ON THE SALEM COMMON!

This next weekend on Saturday Oct. 25 & Sunday Oct. 26, 2008 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
join the Salem Common Neighborhood Association on Salem Common for tons of Family fun!

The SCNA's "Family Fest" will feature a variety of activities and attractions, including pumpkin decoration, a kids' collaborative mural design, pony rides, music at the common bandstand, and scrumptious free samples from Rita's Water Ice of Salem. Monster Mini Golf of Danvers will also be on hand to reveal the spooky side of the putting green.

The Bewitching Time is Almost Here!

One more day until the kick off of the Grand Opening Parade for Salem's Haunted Happenings! As you can see from these images every body from the Mayor to business owners to children love the parade! More moms than I can imagine were heading on off to various stores today looking for the final touches or in some cases the perfect costume for their children to wear in the parade.

This year's theme is "Never, Neverland" so it will be fun to see the different ideas to celebrate the theme. There will be floats, marching bands from the area schools, haunted trolleys, and so much more to see. Remember to park your car and leave it because the streets will be closed for the fectivities. You can check the HauntedHappenings.org or Salem.com websites for specifics.

There are great spots to bring a chair and sit to watch the parade Thursday October 2, 2008 5:30-8:00 PM. Remember to look for those who are sitting so you don't stand in their way. Another great spot to sit will be at Rockafella's where the parade turns off of Washington Street on to Essex Street. Sit at their outdoor cafe for $25 you can enjoy a reserved seat in the premium area on the parade path and delicious appetizers from the complimentary appetizer bar. Their full tantalizing menu will also be available. Seating is limited so call for reservations 978-745-2411.

The parade begins at Shetland Park on Congress Street, looping down Derby Street, Washington Street, down Essex and ending at Salem Common.

We look forward to seeing many of you who live locally there! Let the hauntings begin!

What is Salem's Haunted Happenings?

Haunted Happenings bean as a daylong party for children. Over time it has grown to a one week, two week and now month long celebration. It has also gone from a few individuals planning it to hundreds of community members,  businesses, community groups, churches, schools and corporations working together to welcome the world's visitors. It is our city's gift to the season and we invite you all to come!

The streets are filled with fabulous merchants, award winning restaurants, dramatic theatrical productions, psychic fairs, scary haunted houses, children's activities, and world renown museums! There is something for all ages to do.

Salem is a fine walking city also and because of that you will not miss a beat of the activities and excitement. Bring a good pair of walking shoes. If that is not your style, then hop on and off trolleys or ride in a pedicab once you arrive in the city. 

To get to Salem we strongly suggest public transportation! Parking is tight in our small community but you can take the train from North Station in Boston or hop on the Salem Ferry which leaves Central Wharf in Boston near the Aquarium. On board the ferry you can purchase discount tickets to transportation on shore.

Our hotels fill quickly for the season. Call ahead for reservations if you wish to stay in Salem. Visit our website for more information on accommodations. 

You will also want to check about making reservations at many of our museums and haunted attractions for the event. With so many visitors long lines are normal if you do not book ahead.

So come, visit our enchanting city. Discover its magic along with the magic of the season!