Heritage Days kicks off next week

Salem Maritime Festival

If you haven't made plans for Heritage Days in August, you should.  August may feel like it's ages from now, but I've got news for you - and me - August is next week.  (How does that happen?!)



Heritage Days' official kick-off is on Friday, August 5th with the Coyote Run concert at Salem Maritime, the National Park in Salem.  There's a lot of great buzz about Coyote Run - they are a Celtic rock band that is said to have incredible energy.  Bring a picnic to this free concert on Derby Wharf and enjoy the harbor breeze, great music, and good company.

Courtesy Historic New England's Phillips House

The annual Salem Maritime Festival gets into full swing on Saturday, August 6th, with reenactments, crafts, demonstrations, food, free sails and harbor cruises (tickets awarded via lottery), and live music.  This perennial favorite has no shortage of alliteration as it celebrates Salem's maritime history with free family fun as well as ships, sawdust, sailors and song. 


Heritage Days events are all about food and fitness, with the Mayor's Night Out visiting several downtown restaurants, the annual Pizza Contest, an Ice Cream Bowl, Witch's Cup Bike Race, a Junior Triathlon and a 5K for the runners out there.  Kids' Night on the Common is August 12, and the

annual Essex Street Fair is August 13-14.  I am looking forward to Salem Theatre Company's annual Improv on the Bricks on the 13th and 14th.  Oh, and the Phillips House Car Meet on August 14. There are more than forty

Essex Street Fair

events planned for Heritage Days - certainly something for everyone!

Shop, eat, dance, drink (run, swim, bike) and celebrate Salem's heritage with friends, family, visitors and neighbors August 5-14. 

We have featured the public events on Salem.org/HeritageDays and you can find all events, including those for residents-only and Salem seniors, at Salem.com.