Happy Holidays in Salem!

Sometimes it's difficult to imagine any holiday other than Halloween in Salem. But we celebrate throughout the year and throughout the seasons! 

Holiday Happenings in Salem feature several appearances by Santa, tree-lightings, private home tours, theatrical presentations, literary celebrations, great food, and - of course - shopping.

Join us for the holidays and discover how bewitching Salem, Massachusetts is year-round!

Learn more at Salem.org/Holidays. 

Solstice of Souls Costume Competition Winners

More than 750 Solstice of Souls Halloween Party guests decked out in their most original and creative garb participated in the Hawthorne Hotel’s annual costume contest held as part of the Halloween Ball on October 27.

The winners hale from around the US, demonstrating the incredible draw this annual ball has for visitors to Salem Haunted Happenings!

And the winners are...

Winner: Individual/Couple “Woodland Fairies” ~ Cristina Correll and Bobbie Henry from East Stroudsburg, PA

2nd Place: Individual/Couple “Killer Ivory and Doctor Trauma" Ben Murray and Jim Corbin from Los Angeles, CA

3rd Place: Individual/Couple “Lion-Headed Egyptian Goddess" Beth Marik from Chicago, IL 

Electric Chair and C.O.

Winner: Group “Electric Chair and C.O." Linda and Jim Graham from Pilesgrove, NJ
  

Solstice of Soles

2nd Place: Group “Solstice of Soles" Melynn Nuite of Salem, MA and Karen McCrory from Middlesex County, NJ
 

Wicked Witch's Science Project

3rd Place: Group “Wicked Witch’s Science Project" Russell Pinto from Brooklyn, NY
 
Winner: General Manager’s Choice “Autumn in Salem" Erin and Darren Lemke from Hasbrouck Heights, NJ




Congratulations to the very creative winners!

Thanks for another fantastic Haunted Happenings!

We had a great month, and hope you did, as well.  Thanks for another excellent October.

We are going to leave you with this great collage of images by photographer Jared Charney who was shooting pictures for us on October 27. If we found you on Essex Street, Lynde Street, or Salem Common - thanks for posing for us!  More images will come.

All of our friends and visitors in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and everywhere that felt the destructive force of Hurricane Sandy, are in our thoughts.  If you weren't able to join us this year, we hope you can join us in 2013.  It wouldn't be the same without you.

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

We're here! We made it! It's Halloween!

If you are planning to come to Salem to celebrate Halloween, we encourage you to ride the train (Visit mbta.com for the expanded service schedule), and bring your common sense.

We have a few Halloween rules to help make the evening a success...

• Don't bring weapons, real or fake, as they will be confiscated.
• Public consumption of alcohol is not permitted. 
• Triple fines are in effect tonight. This means citations for illegal behavior, including public
  drinking, vandalism, and littering, could have fines up to $300. (So don't do it!) 
• Perhaps most importantly, Salem is a residential city. Please respect the homes and businesses downtown.  

If you are planning to visit one of Salem's excellent restaurants, make sure to arrive early. Lines will be cut off between 9-10 PM, so if you're not in by then, you may not get in.

The fireworks finale of Haunted Happenings go off at 10:15 PM, and the final trains of the evening begin rolling out at 11:00 PM.  Whether you are traveling north or south, make sure you know when your train departs!  

Happy Halloween and have a great night! 

Click here for the Public Event Schedule and Halloween Rules.

Click here for a printable copy of the Halloween Highlights map.

Sandy, the Day After

The lights are on, the rain has passed, and we are back!

Many businesses are opening for business and usual today, and some will remain closed.  As we did yesterday, we will keep this blog as updated as possible as information comes into us at Destination Salem.

Please check with individual businesses if you have questions about hours.

OPEN

• Angelica of the Angels and Angels Landing are open for seances and readings
• Boston Bead Company 
• Capt's Waterfront Premium Steak & Seafood Grill
• Count Orlok's Nightmare Gallery  
• Crow Haven Corner 
• Gulu-Gulu Cafe  
• Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tours  
• Hex 
• Historic New England's Phillips House Museum 
• The House of the Seven Gables (opening at noon today) 
• Lobster Shanty 
• Omen 
• RJ Coins and Jewelry
• rouge Cosmetics
• Salem's 13 Ghosts 3-D Haunted House  
• Salem Maritime National Historic Site (opening at noon)
• Salem Witch Museum 
• Salem Witches' Psychic Fair
• The Witches Cottage at the Griffen Theatre 
• The Witch House 

CLOSED

• Cry Innocent
• Ghosts & Legends Trolley Tour 
• Mahi Mahi Cruises & Charters (may re-open on Wednesday)
• New England Pirate Museum  
• Salem Ferry  
• Salem Museum in Old Town Hall
• Salem Trolley 
• The Terror Trail
• Witch Dungeon Museum
• Witch History Museum  
• Witch Trial Trail 

EVENTS 

• An Evening with Laurie Cabot at Finz on October 30 has tickets available. 
• Chamber of Secrets at the Witches Cottage has tickets available for tonight.

 
ACCOMMODATIONS AVAILABILITY

• Amelia Payson House has a room available on October 30  
• Clipper Ship Inn has availability tonight and Halloween. 
• Coach House Inn has rooms available on the following dates: October 30 & October 31, November 2 & November 3, November 9, 10, 11
• Henry Derby House has availability on October 30 
• The Salem Inn has a room available on October 30 
• The Salem Waterfront Hotel & Marina has rooms available both Tuesday 10/30 and Wednesday 10/31 for Halloween.  Standard rooms starting at $199, and Suites starting at $229.  Please call us directly at 978-740-8788 to make your reservations.
• Stepping Stone Inn has availability on October 30

REGIONAL ACCOMMODATIONS 

• Emerson Inn by the Sea and The Grand Cafe, Rockport
• Seaward Inn, Rockport has three rooms and one cottage available through Halloween.  

As of Monday morning, we anticipate the public events on Halloween night to happen as planned.  We will post any changes here.

Last updated 12:54 PM, 10/30/12

Oh, Sandy (Updated at 8:30 AM Monday)

There's a storm a brewin', and she's stirring up the seas.  We have a few Haunted Happenings cancellations to share with you, and if others come in, we will post them here.

As of 8:30 AM on Monday, most attractions, museums ans businesses are closing for the day to heed the State of Emergency and allow people to stay safely indoors. 

If the business (especially shops and restaurants) you are planning to visit is not listed here, please call ahead to ensure they are open.  We suspect most will not be open today.  

CinemaSalem
CinemaSalem is closed due to the hurricane.

Cry Innocent 
Due to weather conditions, all shows of Cry Innocent: The People vs. Bridget Bishop have been cancelled for Monday, October 29.  They plan to be back on Tuesday at 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM, and 2:30 PM.

The House of the Seven Gables 
The House of the Seven Gables will be closed on Monday.

Mahi Mahi Cruises
As of Sunday, October 28 at 11:30 AM water conditions have forced the cancellation of all cruises Sunday and Monday. They hope to be cruising on Tuesday. Please contact Mahi Mahi Cruises if you hold tickets for Sunday or Monday cruises. Updates can also be found on Facebook.

New England Pirate Museum
Due to the weather advisory, the New England Pirate Museum will be closed on Monday and Tuesday. Weather permitting, they will re-open on Wednesday, Halloween day, from 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM.

Salem Ferry
Due to expected conditions, Boston Harbor Cruises has cancelled all ferry operations from Boston and Hingham to Salem on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday (October 29, 30, 31).

Salem Trolley 
Due to the impending storm, the Salem Trolley has cancelled all tours on Monday and Tuesday.

Salem Witch Museum 
The Salem Witch Museum will not be opening today.

Witch Dungeon Museum
Due to the weather advisory, the Witch Dungeon Museum will be closed on Monday and Tuesday. Weather permitting, they will re-open on Wednesday, Halloween day, from 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM.

Witch History Museum
Due to the weather advisory, the Witch History Museum will be closed on Monday and Tuesday. Weather permitting, they will re-open on Wednesday, Halloween day, from 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM.

Halloween Night 
Due to the sensitivity of the projectors and technology, the Nightride Visuals projection mapping show planned for Halloween night on the exterior of Tabernacle has been cancelled.



We are hoping for the best in Salem as Sandy moves through the region, and we hope all of our friends in and visitors from the mid-Atlantic states are safe.

Again, we'll post any updates here as we have them.

Updated 8:30 AM, 10/29/12

A fun stroll down memory lane at the Salem Toy Museum

 

I got to hang out in the Salem Toy Museum for an hour or so last week while owner Frank Scarcia was interviewed by Jim Altman for a future travel piece on CT-Now (Fox, Hartford).   The last time I spent some quality time in the Toy Museum was shortly after Frank opened the doors in July, and I was truly impressed by how many additions have been made to the exhibits!  

Owner Frank Scarcia talking Toys

I don't want to reveal too much about the collections of the Salem Toy Museum, because half of the fun is going in and having those reminiscent "Oh!" moments when you remember a toy or game long forgotten.  Rock'em Sock'em robots greet you when you enter the 2,000 square foot space, and from there you are off to explore forty years (Frank describes it as 1950s through 1980s) of play.  

The gift shop is great fun, as well. I'm particularly fond of a well-selling Star Wars t'shirt that features a sad Storm Trooper with the caption, "I had friends on the Death Star." (((sniff)))   There are also brain pops, rubber snakes, and a multitude of toy-inspired souvenirs to take home.  The unicorn mask (pictured) is display only, but several people have inquired about purchasing it. The t-shirt beneath the awesome Michael Jackson-esque jacket is for sale.

The Salem Toy Museum is located inside the Museum Place Mall, under the parking garage, which has entrances on Church Street and Essex Street. Adult admission is $6.00.  

Maritime Ghost Stories with Mahi Mahi Cruises

Marblehead Neck and Marblehead Light Tower

We got out of the office earlier this week to take a Haunted Harbor Cruise aboard the Hannah Glover, operated by Mahi Mahi Cruises & Charters.

There are many a ghost tour and selacious story in Salem, and we heard maritime tales of woe from story teller Lucia and her darling doll (mascot?) Scarica.  The cruise included five lighthouses - Derby Light and Pickering Light in Salem, Hospital Point in Beverly, Bakers Island Light (technically also Salem), and Marblehead Light.

There were stories of lighthouse keepers gone mad, Pirates gone bad, and ghosts that aren't quite as cute as Casper.  We cruised by the Misery Islands - and you know an island named for somebody's misery must have an interesting tale.  We even learned about executioner's hill in Salem. 

All of the October Mahi Mahi Harbor Cruises are done aboard the Hannah Glover, which is a comfortable vessel with a heated interior (the "Victorian Parlor") as well as an upper deck and forward deck for open air viewing.  The helpful crew serves burgers, hot dogs, chowders, and hot cider with a smile.  There's even a full bar if you want a spike in your cider.

If you're more interested in foliage than ghost stories, the Lighthouse and Foliage Cruise may be more your speed.  Both cruises are 90 minutes long, and tickets cost $25 for adults, $15 for children.

Visit MahiCruises.com for more information or to purchase tickets online.

Storm note: All water activities may be affected by the impending storm on Monday, October 29 and Tuesday, October 30.  Cruises are expected to run all weekend. 

How many balls can you juggle?

Guests at the Hawthorne Hotel's 2011 Ball

There are no fewer than ten costume balls on the schedule this weekend!  Tickets are still available for most, if not all, of the balls and parties listed below, but we expect them all to sell out, so if one of these festive events is calling your name, we recommend buying tickets in advance.  It would be horrible to arrive, en costume, only to be turned away at the door!

FRIDAY 

The Official Salem Witches’ Halloween Ball
7 :30 pm – 11 :30 pm
18 Washington Square-Hawthorne Hotel
Join your host, Salem Warlock Christian Day with special guest Dorothy Morrison and musical guests Dragon Ritual Drummers, Kellianna, Jenna Greene and more for a night of magic at the world’s most exclusive party!
800-595-4849 | FestivaloftheDead.com

Harry Potter Salem Halloween Ball
8 pm – 12 am
94 Washington Square
Bring the magic of Hogwarts to this party! $20 in advance or $25 at the door.  RSVP
http://www.meetup.com/HP-Salem/events/76301982/

Zombie Prom at Vic’s Boathouse
9:30 pm – 11 :30 pm
86 Wharf Street-Pickering Wharf
Join Vic’s for their notorious Zombie Prom complete with Prom Pictures at guests arrival, giveaways and prizes, an incomparable and unforgettable performance by The Ross Livermore Band guarantees a non-stop dance party and of course the a prom King and Queen will be crowned at the end of the night.
978-745-3400 | VictoriaStationSalem.com

SATURDAY

Costume Party Red Lulu Cocina
7 pm – 11 :30 pm
94 Lafayette Street
(978) 594-4282 | RedLuluSalem.com

Wicked Night on the Wharf - SOLD OUT!
8 pm – 12 am
225 Derby Street
There’s only place to celebrate Halloween and that is Salem Waterfront Hotel & Marina - centrally located to major attractions in Salem - America’s Spookiest Seaport.  Join host Billy Costa of KISS 108 and TV Diner, from 8 pm to Midnight for appetizers, costume contest, dancing and more.  Tickets are $30 in advance.  Call Wicked Night Hotline 978 619-1120 for tickets.
978-619-1120 | SalemWaterfrontHotel.com

Gulu-Gulu Annual Costume Party
8 pm – 12 am
247 Essex Street
Its a Saturday at the end of October – time for the Gulu’s 6th Annual Halloween costume party! Only $5.00 cover gets you in the door. Costumes are suggested. Featuring music by Daniel Ouellette and the Shobijin and The Toes! Daniel Ouellette and the Shobijin: A little odd? A little quirky? Always fun! This electro-pop act has been delighting audiences throughout the Northeast for several years and are set to release their second CD entitled “THE ENCHANTMENT! (Songs to sing whilst you sharpen your pencil) on Meannie Jeannie Records.
978-740-8882 | Gulu-Gulu.com

Solstice of Souls Ball at the Hawthorne Hotel8 pm – 12 am
18 Washington Square-Hawthorne Hotel

Blend of mysticism and fantasy. Costumes should reflect mythology and folk lore.  Win cash prizes for costumes!  New this year:  ~A magician who will be performing walk-around magic, ~There is a psychic
~Souvenir tee-shirts are BLACK this year, and there will be an extra gift at the end for all participants as they leave.  Food will include passed shrimp cocktail, black and blue sirloin canapes, and New England-style Shrimp Salad Rolls.  Near the end of the evening mini-sweets will be passed, including white-chocolate pretzel-bones, cheesecake lollipops, mini eclairs and cream puffs, fruit gushers and Halloween petit fours.
The rooms of the hotel will be transformed into ancient civilizations! The Ballroom will be an Aztec Buffet, Lost Atlantis will be in the Library, Ancient India in the Essex Room, and China in Nathaniel's.
TicketWeb.com | 978-744-4080 | HawthorneHotel.com

Voodoo Ball at Rockafellas
8 pm – 11 :30 pm | 231 Essex Street
Midnight Goggles downstairs and DJ Scotty Mac spinning upstairs. This party will not disappoint! This weekend will be an eclectic mix of many themes. So choose your poison and dress to the nines the best costume receives $1,000 cash upstairs only! Other prizes will be given: couples, scariest, funniest, most unique and other runner up categories. Other features to the night (upstairs) include Psychics (tips only), horror movies, photo booth, vodka tasting, chef prepared delights and various swag. We will be offering VIP balcony tickets, see pricing and availability. This is 2 separate parties (downstairs and upstairs).
978-745-2411 | RockafellasofSalem.com

Fangtasm: A True Blood Bash
8 pm – 11 :30 pm
76 Wharf Street-Pickering Wharf
This Halloween, Bon Temps is coming to Salem! Join Go Out Loud in dressing up as your favorite True Blood folklore character: vampires, werewolves, fairies, witches, shapeshifters, zombies, annoying white girl or obligatory shirtless male in celebration of Salem’s biggest gay Halloween experience since Bette Midler put a spell on us. Spun by DJ Mark Barry (Machine, Rain), this exclusive dance party will have limited admittance and feature specialty drinks, passed appetizers, munchies, sexy macabre decor, music and costume contests for great prizes to die for including $500 cash! Price of admittance includes: one (1) drink ticket, appetizer / munchies. Additional drinks will be available for purchase at the bar after ticket is redeemed.
facebook.com | fangtasm.eventbrite.com

What Happens on the Wharf Stays on the Wharf Halloween Party
9 pm – 12 am
76 Wharf Street-Pickering Wharf
DJ ALex, Costume contest, dancing, presented by Captain Morgan Black, $10. cover
978-744-0000 | FinzSeafood.com

Trick-or-Treat at Pickering Wharf this Sunday

Pickering Wharf is hosting a family celebration on Sunday, October 28 with "Trick or Treat on the Wharf" from 5pm until 7pm.

Visit Pickering Wharf for some seasonal family time.  Most establishments are scheduling entertainment or gift for the adults and everywhere there will be candy for the kids!

A full list will be available soon, but bring the kids in costume and celebrate Salem on Halloween in a safe and family-friendly environment!

Participating businesses include:

• 62 Restaurant
• Capt's Waterfront
• Crafters Market
• Every Occasion Boutique
• Finz Seafood & Grill
• The Happy Sunflower
• The Hungry Whale
• The Picklepot
• RJ Coins
• Scarlet Letter Press
• Seaport Cafe
• Victoria Station
• & More!

 

Sonestas in Burlington and Andover offer $89 rate

We have two new regional hotels to tell you about.  Sonestas in Andover and Burlington are each offering an introductory rate of $89 for Haunted Happenings.

Sonesta ES Suites Andover

Sonesta ES Suites Andover
Andover, MA
Enjoy an $89 introductory rate at Andover’s newest all-suite hotel – Sonesta ES Suites. Fully equipped kitchens, free internet, and complimentary breakfast and evening socials are included. Conveniently located near Salem and Boston!
4 Tech Drive, Andover, MA 01810
978.686.2000 | sonesta.com/andover


 

Sonesta ES Suites Burlington

Sonesta ES Suites Burlington
Burlington, MA
Sonesta ES Suites Burlington is less than 20 miles from Salem and perfect for one night or a longer stay. $89 introductory rate includes a fully equipped kitchen, complimentary breakfast and free internet.
11 Old Concord Road, Burlington, MA 01803
781.221.2233 | sonesta.com/burlington

The Sonesta properties are listed with all of our regional accommodations on HauntedHappenings.org.
 

Expanded MBTA Service

The MBTA has posted its expanded service schedule for October 27, 28 and Halloween at mbta.com/events. 

Here's the scoop:


Please Note: The parking lot at Salem Station will be closed from 8 PM to Midnight on Wednesday October 31st – Halloween.

Special Event round trip tickets for the extra trains to and from Salem, MA will be sold at North Station, Beverly and on the extra trains.  The special event round-trip tickets cost $10 per person.

Click the links for the special schedule, where you will see...

• The extra Inbound Trains and extra Outbound Trains displayed in orange will be operated in addition to the regularly scheduled trains shown in black on Saturday, October 27th and Sunday, October 28th.
• The schedules of the extra Inbound trains to Salem and Boston to be operated on Halloween Wednesday, October 31st.
• The schedules of the extra Outbound trains from Boston to Salem, Rockport and Newburyport to be operated on Halloween Wednesday, October 31st.

Please note the final trains on the schedule. We don't want you stranded in Salem!

The Official Salem Witches Ball promises a night of Magic

If you're looking for a ball with a bit of an edge, the Official Salem Witches Ball may be just the ticket.  Hosted by Christian Day and the Witches of Salem, the ball will feature special guest Dorothy Morrison and musical guests Dragon Ritual Drummers, Kellianna, and Jenna Greene.

Part of the Festival of the Dead, this ball invites to a night of magic at the world's most exclusive Halloween party!! Join us as in days of old when fires burned on every hilltop and Witches gathered to feast, rejoice, and cast spells for the new year!    

At the night's pinnacle, cast a magic circle with Christian Day and the Salem Witches with guest Dorothy Morrison as we honor loved ones in the spirit world!

Highlights of the evening...

• Dance in the Grand Ballroom to pop, party, and goth by dj addambombb and laser light show by AudioLust
• Feast on sumptuous hors d'oeuvres
• Be among the first 100 guests to arrive and get a gift bag, designed by Comic Artist Holly Golightly and full of magical swag!
• See into the future with a free psychic reading in our psychic parlor upstairs!
• Visit the cash bar for your favorite potion

Costume Theme and PrizesThe theme for 2012 is Witch and Famous! Dress as your favorite famous Witch, Warlock, Magician, or Sorcerer either real, mythical, or fictional.

• 1st place: $1,000 cash!
• 2nd place: $200 Gift Certificate to PentaclePress.com

The Official Salem Witches Ball
Friday, October 26, 2012
7:30pm - 12:30am at the Hawthorne Hotel!
$150 Per Ticket
Call 800-595-4TIX or Click here to purchase tickets online
This event is expected to sell out, so we recommend purchasing tickets in advance.     

Love TRUE BLOOD? Then Fangtasm is the event for you!

Local LGBT initiative, Go Out Loud, is putting some bite into the Haunted Happenings schedule (yesterday burlesque, today vampires... how can you not love October in Salem?).  Fangtasm: A True Blood Bash, will arrive at Finz (Pickering Wharf, 76 Wharf Street) on October 27, 2012 at 8PM.


Fangtasm: A True Blood Bash aims to be the best gay Halloween party in Salem by having beats spun by DJ Mark Anthony (Machine/Ramrod/47 Central/Rain), specialty drinks, passed appetizers, sexy macabre décor, music and a costume contest that will have a $500 cash prize for best dressed. Cash bar available after initial admission cost of $55 (online; door cost will be greater). Tickets can be purchased at: fangtasm.eventbrite.com

Fangtasm organizers are offering a coupon to Haunted Happenings fans and followers.  For a limited time, the coupon code "LAFAYETTE" will save you 20% at checkout on Eventbrite!

If you order six or more tickets, a 25% discount will automatically be applied at checkout! 

The Return of Betsi Feathers

It just isn't Salem Haunted Happenings without a burlesque show.


Betsi Feathers joined Salem's excellent October calendar last year when her show came to the Griffen Theatre.  It was so well received that it has returned... for two nights only!  The lovely ladies will take to the stage on Tuesday, October 23 and Wednesday, October 24.

The classic style, interactive burlesque show promises a creepy twist. 

Tickets cost $15 and will be available at the door.

Learn more on Facebook. Griffen Theatre is located at 7 Lynde Street in Salem.

Combination tickets and show-and-save specials

One of the most frequently asked questions we hear here at Destination Salem is, "Do you have any coupons or discounts?"  And usually the answer is, "No, I'm sorry, we don't."  

But now we do!  Here is a printable list of the combination tickets and show-your-stub-and-save promotions offered in Salem.  

Enjoy!

The Gables' Spirits and Legacy in October

Hepzebah, Spirits of the Gables

The House of the Seven Gables is an iconic part of the Salem experience. This dark wooden mansion looms large in the imagination of visitors today, standing on Turner Street much as it did hundreds of years ago.  

The daily Gables experience includes a guided tour of the Turner-Ingersoll Mansion (AKA The House of the Seven Gables) and a self-guided tour of Hawthorne's Birthplace, which was moved to its current location in the 1950s.  By day you will learn about the architectural, maritime, and literary heritage of Salem and the mansion.  It is a fascinating tour (my favorite tidbit is that of the "King's wood" in the attic), but each October these houses breathe a new, spookier life as they come alive after dark with theatrical presentations.

You probably have not read The House of the Seven Gables, but if you want the most exciting version of Cliff's Notes ever produced, Spirits of the Gables will give you the highlights and may even inspire you to read the novel.  Spirits features actors in each room of the mansion, each bringing one of Hawthorne's characters from the novel to life.  This is one of Salem's original ghost stories, a tale of a curse that reaches back through generations, and the performers leaves you wondering if the house is still cursed today.

(It isn't, of course. The House of the Seven Gables is a work of fiction.)

If it's fact you're looking for - real history come to life - you will find that at Legacy of the Hanging Judge, a performance that will bring Nathaniel Hawthorne and his great-great-grandfather Judge Hathorne to life, talking to you in the home young Nathaniel once resided.  Legacy takes you into the Salem Witch Trials. From a Judge to the accused to the girls who were presumably possessed. 

As we left Legacy last week, my companion whispered in my ear, "Forget the haunted houses. This is the real stuff of nightmares."

Indeed.

Each performance is 35 minutes, and shows run continuously from 7:15 PM - 11:00 PM on October 19, 20, 26, 27, and 31 (shows conclude at 10pm on Halloween). Reservations are recommended. Call 978-744-0991, ext. 104 to save your spot.

Harvest Fest this weekend

Last year I took my kids to see Casper on the Common on the night of Harvest Fest and, while we had a great time, I'm pretty sure everyone going to Harvest Fest was having a great time, as well.

Harvest Fest returns to the Knights of Columbus this Saturday. There are two sessions, one from 2-3:30 PM and a second from 5:30 - 8PM.  (So you could conceivably go to both Harvest Fest and Willy Wonka on the Common!). 

This is the North Shore's largest Craft Beer, Wine & Mead Festival. It is always a very good time. 

Performing: Mitch Alden from Now Is Now!
The Social Palates Interactive Photo Booth is new this year.


Confirmed breweries:  

• Magic Hat
• Cape Ann Brewing
• Cody Brewing
• Harpoon
• Gritty's
• Mayflower
• Narrangansett
• Notch Session Beer
• White Birch
• Clown Shoes
• Element Brewing
• Ipswich/Mercury
• Berkshire Brewing
• Schmaltz
• Isaaks of Salem
• Sap House Meadery 
• Moonlight Meadery
• Dansk 
• ...and lots of fine wine from Pamplemousse!

Tickets are $25 in advance/$30 day-of, and they are available online at SalemHarvestFest.com. Tickets are also available in Salem at Pamplemousse.

Salem Harvest Fest 
Saturday, October 20th
Session One: 2 - 4:30 pm Session Two: 5:30 - 8 pm
Knights of Columbus, 94 Washington Square, Salem, MA

Oh, and if you want to see Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, it's a free film on Salem Common starting at 6:30 PM and presented by Radio 92.9.

Where did I put those ruby slippers?

...Because I'm giong to need them on Thursday night at the next PEM/PM event!

Not in Kansas Anymore 

Explore fantastical worlds of imagination with a screening of the classic The Wizard of Oz and a discussion about the groundbreaking special effects with film expert Michael Dow. Enjoy a chef demonstration and tasting by Chive and make your own character out of found objects, just the way Tin Man was created. Step up to the open mic hosted by storyteller Tony Toledo to share a song, story or performance about this American icon. Wear your ruby slippers! 

Cash bar. Refreshments available for purchase in the Atrium Café.

Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones and other exhibitions are open throughout the evening.

PEM / PM: Not in Kansas AnymoreThursday, October 18, 6:30-9:45 pm
Pay at the door - No reservations required
Members and Salem residents $5, nonmembers $7

Wylie Inn has availability

The Wylie Inn and Conference Center has guest rooms available for most of the rest of October.  The Wylie is located in Beverly, about a 15 minute drive from downtown Salem. 

Countdown to Scary Mary

I got a sneak-peak at Scary Mary and the Audio Corsette on Sunday night at their prime-time debut, and any child of the Eighties (or later, for that matter) is going to love this show.

Scary Mary and her band from hell take to the stage at CinemaSalem on Saturday at midnight, and they return on the 20th and 27th - at midnight - for two more shows.

The show features horror shorts and original music performed by a band ripped from the rock-and-roll of the 1980s.   There's even a single on iTunes, so you can listen to and download Set Her Free.

This looks like a lot of fun.  It's grown-up fun, though.  You wouldn't keep the kids up past midnight, though, would you?!

Buy your tickets on Eventbrite today and set her free!

Ride the T, take the ferry, find a bathroom, pay for parking

Were you in Salem for the Haunted Biz Baz street fair this weekend?  Did you take a walking tour? Visit an attraction, follow the Heritage Trail?  Have some yummy chowder?  Find frights in a Haunted House?

More than 4,000 cars were parked in the Museum Place Garage, and more than 6,500 found directions and information at the October information booth that is provided by Salem Main Streets on Essex Street at Washington Street. That's just one info booth and just one parking garage, so we know it was a busy, bustling weekend filled with zombies, families, and zombie families. 

We also heard that traffic was backed up on Route 128 North getting into Salem (we heard 8 miles, but we weren't in it, so that's anecdotal).

As we recover from the first weekend of Salem Haunted Happenings and gear up for the second, we have a few reminders and pointers for all of our visitors.  

• If you can use public transportation, please do! Our mantra of "Take the train, Ride the Ferry" isn't just for us, it's for your sanity, too!  You may want to consider parking in Beverly (one stop north) and taking the train just one stop to alleviate some of the travel stress.  There's also ample parking at the Lynn stop, which is two stops south of Salem. Learn more at MBTA.com and BostonHarborCruises.com.

• There are alternate routes - Exits 26 and 25A may be the most direct routes from Rt-128 to downtown Salem, there are alternatives!  Regardless of how you choose to drive from Route 128 into Salem, know that, alas, we are not easy-off, easy-on. Without traffic, it will take 10 minutes to drive from exit 26 to the visitor center.  Click here for routes.

• Plan to pay for parking. Meters range from $.50/hour to $1.50 per hour, and the garages and Church Street surface lot cost $20 cash on entry on October weekends (the garages and Church Street cost less during the week).  If you don't take the train and you arrive to parking snarls, try the MBTA parking lot at 252 Bridge Street.  Click here for more parking information.

• Where's the bathroom?  There are portable toilets stationed around Salem, and you will find public restrooms in the Salem Regional Visitor Center at 2 New Liberty Street and at the Orientation Center at the Salem Maritime National Historic Site at 160 Derby Street.   

Haunted Happenings is an awesome time to visit Salem, that's why so many people plan their travel in October!  Know before you go and pack a bit of patience and you'll have a ball, too!

A Grand Parade!

There were a LOT of people in the Haunted Happenings Grand Parade last night!  With nine divisions, with several entries per division, the parade wound its way through downtown Salem from Salem Common at its beginning back to Congress Street at its end. 

Pirates to pandas, fish to Ghostbusters, Police K9 units to the Witches of Salem, the parade had it all. 

Happy Haunted Happenings!

Fresh fish

A mouse and his cheese

Scary Mary's crew

Lining up at Shetland Park

Zombie Family

This little piggie...

Jack Sparrow lives!

The darker side of Harry Potter

Wonderful Witch Hats

Who ya gonna call?

Pirate Crew

 

Actor Tony Moran in Salem this weekend

You can meet Actor Tony Moran, who is the original Michael Myers from Halloween, in Salem this weekend.  He will be at the Nightmare Factory in Museum Place Mall on October 5, 6 and 7.

The Nightmare Factory is part of the Gravehopper Pass, so if you're coming to Salem for a bit of a haunt, check out this combination ticket, which includes the Nightmare Factory, Count Orlok's Nightmare Gallery, and the Witches Cottage.

Happy Haunted Happenings!

Solstice of Souls Special

The Hawthorne Hotel is offering fans and followers of Salem Haunted Happenings a special price for their Solstice of Souls Halloween Ball on Saturday, October 27.  For a limited time (there are a limited number of discounted tickets) use the code STRAWMAN on Ticketweb to buy Solstice of Souls tickets for $79 each instead of $90. 


The Hawthorne also has one Halloween weekend package available (somebody's cancellation could be your opportunity!).  If you are interested in the package, click here to complete the registration form, and follow the submission instructions on the form. 


The Hawthorne's annual Halloween ball is the biggest party of October in Salem. They use three floors of the hotel for music - bands and DJs - and food, and the costumes are always fantastic (so bring your A-game!).  The people who stay in the hotel for the weekend of the ball are always so excited to be on site - there is no easier trip home at the end of a great party than hopping on the elevator and answering the question, "Floor, please?"


Learn more about Solstice of Souls on the Hawthorne Hotel daily diary here.

Here are a few images of last year's ball from the hotel's diary: