Reality Bites at the Hawthorne Hotel

This just in from the historic Hawthorne Hotel...

WE ARE GIVING REALITY SHOWS A RUN FOR THEIR MONEY!

The Hawthorne Hotel presents the 2009 Halloween Costume Ball! “Reality Bites” is sure to be another rousing success. The party will be held on October 31 from 8pm-12midnight (doors open at 7:30pm).

The Hawthorne Hotel will once again present the greatest Halloween party in Salem! Picture your favorite television reality shows with just a bit of a twist. Bridezilla, Hell’s Kitchen, Biggest Loser and others reflecting the fun that only the Hawthorne Hotel can provide--with three floors of non-stop entertainment, fun, and fabulous food! The ticket price of $90pp includes food, and live entertainment. Guests will also get a limited edition t-shirt, and photo. That’s not all! Our costume contest has $1500 in cash prizes!

Tickets are selling fast! (Must be 21 years or older with proper ID at the door.) Get them online at http://www.ticketweb.com/ or call us at 978-744-4080 for more information. Hurry! Before they are all gone!

* * *

The Hawthorne Hotel was built by the residents of Salem in 1925. Over one thousand people in the area purchased stock in order to create a “modern” hotel. Now, designated a “Historic Hotel of America,” the Hawthorne provides every amenity a “modern” traveler could desire and continues to welcome thousands of visitors every year. The hotel is 15 miles north of Boston and easily accessible from many major routes. Historic Hotels of America is a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Historic Hotels has identified 191 hotels that have faithfully maintained their historic integrity, architecture and ambiance. To be selected for this prestigious program, a hotel must be at least 50 years old, listed in or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places or recognized as having historic significance.

Dancing Nancy Band to Headline Halloween Night

We are going to celebrate the close of the 28th Salem Haunted Happenings with dancing! Salem has partnered with Radio 92.9 to provide revelers with a closing concert that will feature The Dancing Nancy Band.

There will be an opening act, too, and we will provide details on that act when we have them.

The concert will be held on a stage that will be erected at the top of Washington Street at Lynde Street. Fireworks will light up the sky above the North River at 10:45 PM, signalling the end of the 28th Annual Salem Haunted Happenings.

The Dancing Nancy Band hails from Fall River, Massachusetts. Formed in 2002, Dancing Nancy is a Dave Matthews Tribute Band, and they play covers of other popular songs from the 1980s and 1990s.

This new "Main Stage" will compliment the other live music in Salem on Halloween night, including a DJ on Salem Common, the Undercover Band on Front Street, and a DJ on Derby Street at the Salem Wax Museum. The musical performances around town will end at 10:00 PM, allowing everyone to head over to Washington Street for the finale concert.

If you're planning to come to Salem for Halloween night, plan to take public transportation. Traffic will be challenging, as will parking. The streets in downtown Salem will be closed to vehicular traffic (to make way for all of the pedestrian traffic!!) in the afternoon.

The Halloween night street festivities will conclude after the fireworks at 11:00 PM - so plan to come in early, have a great time, and head out at 11:00. (Unless you are inside a private party like the Hawthorne Hotel's Reality Bites Ball or another indoor ticketed event.) And don't forget your dancing shoes!

Family Fun at Salem Haunted Happenings!

Here's a list of family friendly events that are planned during the 28th Annual Salem Haunted Happenings. Mark your calendar and come get into the spirit of fall in Salem!


Magical Events

Salem Chamber of Commerce Grand Parade – 6pm-8pm October 1st. A Salem tradition to kick off the Haunted Happenings. Filled with pageantry, music and the enthusiasm of thousands of Salem's students from kindergarten to college. This years theme is "Night at the Museum". Beginning in Shetland Park and ending at the Common. 978.744.0004 www.salem-chamber.org

Trick or Treat with the Mayor! – 5:30pm October 2nd. Join Mayor Driscoll for trick-or-treating at the East India Fountain. We will trick-or-treat the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall shops and inside the Museum Place Mall shops. Trick-or-Treat Bags provided. Costumes encouraged.

Blessing of the Animals – 10am –Noon October 4th. Bring your animals to Pickering Wharf to be blessed by the internationally acclaimed psychic, Diana McKanas. Call for info. Pickering Wharf – 978-740-9663

Creepy Critters – 10am-11am October 10th. Spend a fun hour creating creepy critters out of recycled materials. Create your very own zoo in a bag. Parents are welcome to participate in the activities with their childen $10 Admission-Pre-registration required Ages 3-6. 978-741-0870 Phoenix School, 89 Margin Street, Salem. www.phoenixschool.org

Halloween at Hogwarts – 9am-Noon October 17th. Grab your robe, pack your imagination in your trunk, put your owl on your shoulder and head for Track 9 3/4. Using art materials and science experiements, help Harry and his friends solve the mystery of the horcruxes and save the world. Ages 6-11 Admission is $25 with pre-registration required. Free Parking
978-741-0870. Phoenix School, 89 Margin Street, Salem. www.phoenixschool.org

The Great Pumpkin Carving Contest – 11am-4pm October 17th. Children from 5-99 may carve/decorate their pumpkin for first, second and third places in age grouped judging.
www.HalloWharf.com

National Park Service Jr. Ranger Day – 10:30am-4pm October 17th. Come dressed in costume representing a Person, animal or object connected to a National Park. Do Jr. Ranger activities and prepare to build a ship!Children in costume will also be given Free admission to the shipwright program. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Children 8-12. Adult Admission $5 Children 6-16 $3.00 Children under 6 Free! For ideas on your costume visit www.nps.gov Salem Maritime 160 Derby Street St. Joseph Hall 2nd Flr.

Ms. Firefly’s School of Spirit Conjuration – 2pm-4pm October 18th. Join Salem's own Ms. Firefly as she teaches kids to conjure their own friendly ghosts! Ice cream buffet! 800.595.4TIX
www.Festivalofdead.com

Trick or Treat Night – 5:30pm – 7:30pm October 23rd. Parents with children in costume ages 14 and under are encouraged to visit Pickering Wharf retailers. No tricks just treats! Pickering Wharf. www.HalloWharf.com

Annual Children’s Costume Parade and Party – Noon – 3pm October 24th. Parade steps off at noon with competition for prizes behind Old Town Hall. Register for the parade on Salem Common at 11am-11:45am Childrens Halloween Costume Party from 1-3 pm at The Phoenix School. Join us for a kid friendly haunted house of games, and crafts. Admissions $10 for both events. In case of rain, the parade will be at the Phoenix School. Ages 3-10 Phoenix School, 89 Margin Street. Free Parking. 978-741-0870 www.phoenixschool.org

Stop by for a Spell Costume Brunch – 11am-2pm October 25th. Children are welcome to come in costume to the Hawthorne Hotel and meet our entertaining characters, decorate pumpkins, & receive Halloween treats. Tickets $28.95 for adults & children 11 & under are $15.95. Reservations by calling 978.825.4311 www.HawthorneHotel.com


Magical Feats

Kids Fun Run – 11am October 17th. Enjoy a fun run with your kids! Prizes awarded for the scariest costume, funniest costume & the most creative costume. Pre-Entry (by October 10): $7.00/child with t-shirt guaranteed. Post-entry/race day: $10.00/child (t-shirt not guaranteed). Ages 2 & under (50 yard dash on grass); Ages 3-4 (100 yard dash on grass), Ages 5-9 (1/4 mile on path around the Common), Ages 10-12 (1/2 mile on path around the Common).

Essex Baseball Club vs. Providence Grays – 12pm-5pm October 17th. Two matches played by the rules of the 1860's and 1870's. Check out the 19th century baseball exhibit on the Salem Common.