Salem's next festival is going to be sweet!

10th Annual Festival celebrates Valentine's Day with Chocolate, Wine, and Ice Sculptures 

More than 15 beautiful ice sculptures will grace downtown Salem starting February 11 as part of the 10th annual Salem's So Sweet Chocolate and Ice Sculpture Festival.   Ice Sculpture Themes include a dragon, Marilyn Monroe, the SSU Viking, TinTin and Snowy, a crystal snowflake, a one room school house and the Salem Witch.  Many downtown businesses will offer discounts and free chocolate during the weekend as well. 

The festival officially kicks off with a Chocolate and Wine Tasting, on Friday, February 10 from 6:30 - 8:30 pm, at Hamilton Hall, 9 Chestnut Street.  This luscious tasting event features wine and chocolate samplings from premier Salem restaurants, stores and sweet shops. The Chocolate and Wine Tasting is sponsored by the Salem Waterfront Hotel & Suites.  Tickets are $25 and can be purchased in advance at the Salem Chamber of Commerce starting January 13, 265 Essex Street.  

The Salem Trolley will be offering trolley rides around the festival route weather permitting on February 11 & 12 from 12 - 4 for Adults $1, children are free. Pick up locations include the Salem Visitor Center, Pickering Wharf and Washington Street near Eastern Bank.

With over 60 places to eat, downtown Salem is the perfect place to have a romantic dinner or casual lunch.  In celebration of the chocolate weekend, many of Salem's finest restaurants will feature special chocolate offerings on their menus, including desserts, cocktails, and inventive sauces.  Participating Salem retailers will offer in-store promotions, innovative displays and items geared toward chocolate and Valentine's Day ranging from a chocolate fondue fountain to Valentine inspired dog treats.  Once again, Golden Tickets will be available in downtown Salem for a chance to win the Salem's So Sweet Gift Basket.  Pick up your Golden Ticket and have it validated at participating businesses (no purchase necessary) then enter to win a Salem's So Sweet gift basket which features many fine items from area retailers.

There are numerous special events during the festival. The Salem Theatre Company is offering a discount on their hit performance: The Real Thing. The National Park Service Visitor Center will have a historic display on ice and chocolate.

Salem Main Streets, the Salem Chamber of Commerce, and local retailers, restaurants and businesses invite you to attend the 10th annual Salem's So Sweet, Chocolate & Ice Sculpture Festival.  A decadent tradition of delectable chocolate, sparkling ice sculptures and Valentine's Day shopping... don't miss Salem's sweetest event of the year! For more information and details about the festival contact (978)744-0004 or visit the website salemmainstreets.org or salem-chamber.org.

A double feature to warm a cold January night

Count Orlok's Nightmare Gallery is adding a few jitters to your January with a "Creature Double Feature" this Saturday, January 7th.  Ring in the new year with Nosferatu and Night of the Living Dead!

You can see Nosferatu at 6pm for $6 per person and Night of the Living Dead at 8pm for $8 per person.  Stay for both for just $11 per person.  Admission includes a tour of Count Orlok's Nightmare Gallery, which is usually closed at this time of year.

Visit the Facebook Event Page for more information. 

Ooh, a contest!

The historic Hawthorne Hotel has already started thinking about Halloween 2012 - What can I say? We're always thinking about Halloween in Salem! - and they have launched a "Name the Ball" contest!

Name submissions need to be inspired by or related to the ball's theme.  The person who submits the winning name for the ball will receive an overnight in a suite, with breakfast, for two people (based on availability)! 

They have already chosen the theme, which is:
Explore lost worlds, ancient civilizations, mysticism, rites and ritual of early societies and cultures, the dark and mysterious Halloween gods and goddesses, a feast of souls, an exploration of lost empires. . . a realization of the deep roots of the Halloween mystique.

And they have a few rules:

1. You may only enter once
2. Please no graphic or suggestive names.
3. Contest will end on December 31, 2011
4. Winners will be notified over Facebook and asked to email the Hawthorne Hotel for confirmation
5. The management of the Hawthorne Hotel has the right to use any or none of the suggested names for the Ball.
6. In case of a tie, a drawing will be held to determine the winner.

Visit the Hawthorne Hotel on Facebook to enter and learn more.  Good luck!