Pictures of a Bewitching Seaport

I was out delivering posters to the attractions that are participating in tonight's Mayor's Night Out, and I took some pictures around town. Evidence that Haunted Happenings is here to stay - at least for the next 30 days!

These pumpkins and RIP stones can be found outside The Witches Cottage on Lynde Street.


The Witch House on Essex Street is the only building in Salem that has direct ties to the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. Judge Corwin lived here.


My camera did not do justice to all of the people who were hanging out, picnicking, and exploring Derby Wharf at the Salem Maritime National Historic Site today. Derby Light (you can see it - way off in the background) is a great 1/2 mile walk out, just remember you have to walk the 1/2 mile back once you get there and take your picture!

Italian Sausage and fried dough stands are here! These are on the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall. There are others on Salem Common.

The Morning Glory B&B on Turner Street is beautifully decorated for fall!

For a complete list of things to do in Salem in October, visit HauntedHappenings.org.

11th Annual Salem Halloween Children's Day

This Saturday (rain date Sunday) the 11th annual Salem Halloween Children's Day hits the Common with inflatable jumper rides, games, pony rides, food, free balloons for all of the children, and a good safe time for all! There is a costume contest at noon, and free registration begins at 10:30 am. Prizes will be awarded in four age divisions. These events are sponsored by The Gathering & Domino's Pizza. For more information, call 978.744.8444.

This weekend (October 10-11-12) feels like the real kick-off to Haunted Happenings. The Chamber of Commerce's annual Haunted Biz Baz street fair takes over Essex Street, the Chrysler cars will accessorized to the hilt and on display near Armory Park on Friday fro m6-8:30pm, Spirits of the Gables (House of the Seven Gables) and Eerie Evenings (The Witch House) kick off on Friday night, and there are Wharf Knots to be found at Pickering Wharf.

Check the schedule at HauntedHappenings.org for everything going on this weekend. We have posted hotel availability on the Hotel link - and if you're coming mid-week, you just might be in luck. If you're looking to come for Halloween weekend, I think your best bets will be Rockport, Boston, Woburn, and Revere.

If you have some great pics from Haunted Happenings - or Salem in general - and you want me to consider posting them on the blog, send them to destinationsalem@gmail.com. I'd love to see what you've seen in Salem this month!

Salem Haunted Happenings 2008

Believe me when I tell you that we in Salem are working really hard to get all of the information on Salem Haunted Happenings together and posted. Lots of you are already planning your trips to Salem - wisely so, I must say - and you have been asking for information to be sent to you.

Here's the scoop: The Official Calendar of Events for Salem Haunted Happenings will be printed in July. If you would like to be put on the mailing list, you can either send an email to info@salem.org requesting it, or you can fill out a visitor guide request form on Salem.org and check off that you are interested in Haunted Happenings. The Official Haunted Happenings web site at HauntedHappenings.org is being redone, and should be live this summer.

In the meantime, please use Salem.org for your information and updates. The calendar is updated continually. Other online resources for October in Salem are Festival of the Dead and Haunted Happenings Salem.

Here's what we know so far:

October 2nd... Haunted Happenings Grand Parade
October 11th - 12th... The Haunted Bazaar (visit the Salem Chamber of Commerce for more info on this very popular street fair)
October 18... Salem Harvest Fest
October 31st... Halloween Fireworks

There are lots of details to fill in the middle. We are waiting for confirmation on the PT Cruiser Car Show, the Harley Davidson ride, Spirits of the Gables, the Psychic Fairs, Children's Day on Salem Common, the Costumed Pet contest, Concerts, balls, and so on.

I promise you there will be lots going on during Haunted Happenings 2008, and the weekends of October will be chock-full of Haunted Fun for all. Accommodations are going fast, so if you're planning to come, book your stay now and fill in the details later!