Columbus Day Weekend Celebrations and Fun!

          

This coming weekend will begin the full blown expression of Halloween in downtown Salem with the Salem Chamber of Commerce Haunted Biz Baz! 

Artisans and downtown retailers along with area non-profit groups will gather on the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall, along Hawthorne Boulevard down towards Pickering Wharf's Wharf Knots Event. the Picking Wharf Merchant Association will host on the Wharf it's own shopping extravaganza called Wharf Knots!  

Everything from arts, crafts, food, kettle corn ( for those of us who are freaks about it!) and so on will be available. Downtown Salem's merchants will throw open their doors for a shopping experience not to be missed! Everything from fine wines, kitchen wares, clothing, tattoo services, witchy wares, and so on will be available! Visit many of our fine Haunted Happenings retail sponsors such as Pamplemousse (free mead tastings this weekend!), The Trolley Depot, Wicked Goodz, Hex, Sophia's, Crunchy Granola Baby, The Broom Closet, The Goddess' Treasure Chest, Treasures Over Time, Harley Davidson, Remember Salem, Fool's Mansion, Witch Tees, Angelica's. Cornerstone Books and Crow Haven Corner can be found in the downtown area along with many other great stores!

On Pickering Wharf have lunch or dinner at some of our restaurant sponsors  such as Finz Not-So-Hip Seafood, Capt's Restaurant, Grill & Pub, 62 on the Wharf, Regatta Pub, and Victoria Station for delectable and delicious New England fare. For your shopping pleasure on Pickering Wharf visit Quint Essentials, Artemesia Botanicals, Nu Aeon and Pyramid Books along with  many other wonderful boutiques.

Add all of this to more wonderful museum shops and retail establishments than we can squeeze into this blog space with the fair type atmosphere and there is a full weekend waiting for your pleasure. Discover the magic of Salem as a shopping and dining destination unlike any other place in the world!

Haunted and Spooky Historical Presentations

This weekend begins many of the events and presentations around town. Every weekend from October 3 through November 1 you can visit three historical presentations presented by The House of the Seven Gables and Gordon College's History Alive!

Discover the many surprises in The House of the Seven Gables. Admission includes guided tours, gardens, and museum store. Continuous tours daily 9:30am–7:00pm. 115 Derby St. 978.744.0991 7gables.org

Call ahead of time and book your visit to two events The House of the Seven Gables is presenting in the evenings.

At Spirits of the Gables witness two families entangled by a curse in this presentation of The House of the Seven Gables acted in the mansion that inspired the story. In Legacy of the Hanging Judge experience scenes from the Witchcraft Hysteria are reenacted in this presentation acted in the rooms of Hawthorne’s Birthplace. Productions run October 10, 11, 12, 2008 7:30pm - 9:30pm and October 17, 18, 24, 25, 31, and November 1, 2008 7:15pm - 11:00pm. Both shows run continuously and are 35 minutes long. For reservations and tickets call 978.744.0991 7gables.org

History Alive! from Gordon College is presenting three historical reenactments. At Cry Innocent: the People Versus Bridget Bishop imagine it’s April 1692. Bridget Bishop is accused of witchcraft and you are on the jury! Each show is different: play your part in history! October 6 - 31. Multiple shows daily. Old Town Hall, 32 Derby Square. Presented by History Alive!.

At Pioneer Village visit the Naumkeag/Salem of the 1630s. Tour the three acre, re-created village to learn about early customs and trades. Historically accurate costumed guides. Participatory activities. Nestled in Forest River Park next to the ocean & picnic grounds. Open for group and self guided tours.

Travel to Spiritways: A Night in Besieged Salem Village where History Alive! presents a terrifying night-time visit to the Salem of the infamous “afflicted girls”. Custom-written for Pioneer Village, Forest River Park, this is a full-immersion journey through village and woods. Children under thirteen only admitted with a parent or legal guardian. Not recommended for young children. Shuttle and combination tickets with Cry Innocent available. Saturday nights in October. Show times 7:13, 8:13, 9:13, 10:13 & 11:13pm

Combination tickets available with Cry Innocent, Spiritways and Pioneer Village (daytime) tours. 978.867.4767 www.gordon.edu/historyalive/productions

More Fabulous Fun Tonight!

Last night's parade was fun and continues to grow. Pirates, fairies, Wendy, Peter, Captain Hook, alligators and more wondered down the streets of Salem celebrating the opening of Salem Haunted Happenings. Area high school bands played the marching beats along with bands on floats from area restaurants.

Today and tonight the fun continues! From 3 pm until 10 pm today is Mayor's Night Out. This event is in partnership with Salem's attractions and museums welcomes Salem residents with ID free admission & free parking in the East India Mall garage after 4pm. Look for "Mayor's Night Out" sign on the door of participating businesses.

Also this evening at 5:30 pm is Trick or Treating with the Mayor for children in Salem! Meet at the East India Fountain. The groups will trick-or-treat on the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall shops and inside the Museum Place Mall shops. Trick-or-Treat Bags provided. Costumes encouraged.

Tomorrow on Saturday, October 4 begins many of the other events in the city. Visit our daily event calendar at HauntedHappenings.org for detailed information on the hauntings and fun!