Haunted Happenings for Families & Kids

Salem Haunted Happenings started as a day of Halloween celebrations for children. That was 27 years ago. Today it is a month-long celebration of the spooky and the fun, and events are geared toward both children and adults.

Here are the events for this year that promise perfect haunted entertainment for your family. All of these are listed in the Guide to Haunted Happenings, and on HauntedHappenings.org. There are 22 events, and a number of them happen multiple times.

The important thing? Trick-or-treating in Salem starts this Friday - so get your costumes out!

Grand Opening Haunted Happenings Parade
Thursday, October 2 | 6:30 PM
Welcome in the Halloween season with our 'Never Never Land' theme and our Grand Marshals Mayor Kimberley Driscoll & Salem State College President Dr. Patricia Maguire Meservey. Route begins at Shetland Park on Congress St. travels Derby Street, Lafayette Street, Front Street, Washington Street, and Essex Street before it ends at the Salem Common. 978-744-0004.

Mayor’s Night Out
Friday, October 3 | 3:00 – 8:00 PM
Salem residents, with identification, are admitted free to attractions and museums. Please look for the “Mayor’s Night Out” sign on the door of participating businesses. There will be free parking in the East India Mall garage after 4:00pm. 978-745-9595, ext. 5676

Trick-or-Treat with the Mayor, East India Fountain, Essex Street
Friday, October 3 | 5:30 PM
We will trick-or-treat up and down the pedestrian mall, through the shops at Museum Place Mall and beyond. Trick-or-Treat Bags will be provided. Costumes are encouraged.

Maritime Stories & Songs, Salem Maritime NHS, Derby Street
Thursdays October 9, 16 & 23 | 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Come listen to strange tales and songs associated with New England's maritime history. Admission: $3.00 (limited to 25 people. First come, first serve. 978-740-1633

Annual Halloween Children’s Day, Salem Common
Saturday, October 11 (Rain date: Oct. 12) | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Entertainment, rides, vendors, costume parade and contest. 978-744-8444.

Curious Creatures, Salem Maritime NHS, St. Joseph's Hall
Saturday, October 11 | Shows at 1:30 PM and 3:00 PM
Live tortoises, snakes, parrots and lizards visit. Discover how these exotic animals are connected to Salem's 19^th century maritime trade. 978-740-1663.

Haunted Biz Baz, Essex Street Pedestrian Mall
Saturday October 11 & Sunday, October 12 | 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Street festival featuring entertainment, crafts, food, and more!

Bootiful Pets, Salem Common
Sunday, October 12 | 10:30AM – 2:00PM
An outdoor Halloween costume contest for dogs and cats. Owners will be asked to tell our judges why their cat should be named the Official Cat of Salem (must be a Salem cat resident). Prizes for the winners. Registration fee $5. Cat registration begins at 10:30am and contest begins at 11:00am. Dog registration begins at 12:30pm. Dog contest at 1:00pm. 978-744-2615.

Ms Firefly’s School of Spirit Conjuration, Museum Place Mall
Sunday, October 12 | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Join Salem’s own Ms. Firefly as she teaches kids to conjure their own friendly ghosts! Ice cream buffet! 800.595.4TIX • FestivalOfTheDead.com

Eerie Evenings, The Witch House, 310 Essex St.
October 17 & 18, 24 & 25, 31 & Nov. 1 | 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Come listen to eerie tales performed in the darkened rooms of this 17^th century mansion. For tickets & info, call 978-744-8815.

Pumpkin Display & Food Court, Salem Common
October 17- November 2 | 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM Daily (10:00 PM Fri. & Sat.)Don't forget to stop by the Common and see how are talented young residents decorated their holiday pumpkins, wind through the hay bale maze or take your picture next to a 1,000lb. pumpkin or just sit down, relax and try some delicious seasonal fair foods.

Salem Youth Hockey Pumpkin Sale & Festival, Salem Common
October 18 & 19 | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
One Stop Shopping – Buy your holiday pumpkin and decorate it right there. Don't miss the opportunity to get your picture taken with a 1,000 lb. pumpkin. Find your way through a hay bale maze, get your face painted and play some holiday games.

Wind over Wings, Salem Maritime NHS, Custom House, Derby Street
Saturday, October 18, 1:30PM & 3:00PM Shows
Skywalker, the Golden eagle, and three of his fellow raptors (owl, hawk & falcon) will visit the maritime site. Programs will be presented outdoors behind the Custom House. 978-740-1663.

Fiesta Shows Carnival, 289 Derby St.
Oct. 20 – November 2 | Noon – 9:00 PM daily (10:00 PM Fri & Sat.)
Come ride on an old fashioned merry-go-around or on the crazy bus! Try your skill at one of the game booths or just have some fair food favorites.

Trick-or-Treat, Pickering Wharf
Friday, October 24 | 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Parents with children in costume, age 14 and under are encouraged to visit all stores in Pickering Wharf with balloons outside their doors. 978-740-2877.

Pumpkin Festival, Salem Common
October 25 & 26, November 1 & 2 | 10:00 AM-5:00 PM
One Stop Shopping – Buy your holiday pumpkin and decorate it right there. Don't miss the opportunity to get your picture taken with a 1,000 lb. pumpkin. Find your way through a hay bale maze, get your face painted and play some holiday games. Proceeds benefit the Salem Common Neighborhood Association.

Thrill the World: Michael Jackson's Zombie Dance, Salem State College, O'Keefe Center Saturday, October 25 | 1:00PM
Take a lesson to learn the Thriller Zombie Dance and then dance in sync as part of the world's largest performance of Michael Jackson's hit with the Thrill the World destinations across the planet from Madrid to Los Angeles to Singapore. Prizes for best dancer and best costume. $12/general/$7 students and seniors/children under 12 free. 978-542-7890.

Annual Children’s Halloween Party & Costume Parade, Salem Common
Saturday, October 25 | Registration at 11:00 AM, Parade begins at Noon
Costume contest with prizes to be awarded at Old Town Hall, followed by the Phoenix School's Halloween Party at the Phoenix School at 89 Margin St. $10 for both events. 978- 741-0870.

Kids Fun Run, Salem Common
Sunday, October 26 | 11:00 AM
Come enjoy a fun run! Prizes awarded for the scariest costume, funniest costume & the most creative costume. For children ages 2-12. 978-744-0351.

Stop by for a Spell Children’s Costume Brunch, The Hawthorne Hotel
Sunday, October 26 | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Children are welcome to come in costume. 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 • HawthorneHotel.com
(Photo is from last year's costume brunch. )

Neighborhood Trick or Treating
Friday, October 31 | 5:30PM – 8:00PM

歓迎 Bienvenido! Bienvenue! Willkommen! To name a few...

Bienvenue sur le Salem Witch Museum!

The Salem Witch Museum is one of Salem's most visited museums. People from all over the world - in groups small and large - visit the museum to learn the stories of the people who suffered in 1692, and to then go into the Witches: Evolving Perceptions exhibit where they learn the history of the mysterious religion of Witchcraft.

The hospitality you will find at the Salem Witch Museum is excellent, including their multinational approach. The presentations at the museum are available in French, Spanish, German, Japanese, Italian, and Russian. Beginning December 1, 2008, translations of the presentation into Mandarin and Cantonese will be available. In addition, staff members speak Spanish and Japanese.

After the exhibits, you'll get lost in the shop that is brimming with unique items; from educational materials to attractive apparel.

The Salem Witch Museum is open year-round, with extended hours in October.

Salem Haunted Happenings

Well, this weekend was a bit of a wash-out, wasn't it? I hope everyone was able to spend time in the galleries of the Peabody Essex Museum, at Cinema Salem, and in the cozy restaurants around Salem where you could sip hot soup and watch the storm clouds gather and pass.

With the passing of the final weekend of September, we are now officially at the eve of Haunted Happenings - which kicks off on Thursday, October 2nd with the Grand Parade, presented by the Salem Chamber of Commerce. October rolls out in ghostly style after the parade with trick-or-treating, children's events, 21+ parties, witch balls, shopping extravaganzas, theatrical presentations, Oktoberfest, and the return of the Carnival on Derby Street.

Visit HauntedHappenings.org for the complete schedule of events, including some very popular information about which inns and hotels still have availability for October (if you haven't booked a room yet, I recommend staying in Rockport or Boston and taking the Commuter Rail to Salem, especially on the final two weekends). We will update the availability info on an ongoing basis throughout the month.

Note: if you are coming for Halloween, check HauntedHappenings.org for MBTA updates and transportation information - and please be aware that the last train back to Boston on Halloween night is at 11:24 pm.

Also worth noting - the complete schedule of Salem Haunted Happenings events was in all Community Newspapers north of Boston last week. That includes the Salem Gazette, Beverly Citizen, Saugus Advertiser, Ipswich Chronical, etc. If you wonder which paper is your Community Newspaper, visit WickedLocal.com and search for your town.

As always, you can email us at info@hauntedhappenings.org and request a calendar of events be mailed to you. Just be sure to include your mailing address!

Photo of actor is Chris Clark; Photo Copyrighted to John Fogle

Trails & Sails

This weekend the Essex National Heritage Area will celebrate its sixth annual Trails & Sails: A Weekend of Walks and Water. This fantastic weekend of free events throughout the region provides you with an opportunity to explore the natural, cultural, and historic resources north of Boston.

There are fifteen events scheduled in Salem, and you can search for Salem, or any of the 34 communities in the Essex National Heritage Area. If you didn't know Salem was a part of a national heritage area, or if you are unfamiliar with the national heritage area program, visit EssexHeritage.org to learn more. I can summarize it by telling you that this region of Massachusetts is truly remarkable for its great contributions to the early settlement, maritime, and industrial eras in American history. The Essex National Heritage Area was designated by the U.S. Congress in 1996 and today it works in partnership with the National Park Service to provide programs in interpretation, education, preservation, and heritage development.

Trails & Sails weekend is an annual opportunity for the public to get re-acquainted with the region and its amazing history. There are fifteen events in Salem - from a Schooner sail to a Chestnut Street Stroll to Marine Lab Explorations. Take this opportunity to do some free exploration in Salem and beyond this weekend!

Participating Salem sites are:

• Derby Square Tours
• Historic New England
• Historic Salem, Inc.
• Salem State College
• Hawthorne Hotel
• Friends of Salem Woods
• Peabody Essex Museum
• Salem Maritime National Historic Site
• Schooner Fame
• Pioneer Village
• The House of the Seven Gables

Haunted Happenings

Before I tell you about the Haunted Happenings web site, I want to welcome the Amelia Payson House to the blogging side of Salem. You can read Don and Ada May's blog at www.ameliapaysonhouse.blogspot.com. I've added it to the Salem.org blog roll for your easy access.

And now for a quick apology - it's been five days since my last post, and that's a while, even for me. Sorry 'bout that. Haunted Happenings is fast approaching, and Arts & Antiques Month after that, followed by Holiday Happenings, so things in the marketing & PR department of Salem tourism have been a bit manic.

The Haunted Happenings web site is updated (Hooray! Kudos and thanks to Pickering Web Design for the hard work - and to Kishgraphics for continuing to put Salem forward in the best possible graphic light.)

You can find complete listings of events, schedules for extended hours, parking directions (remember - lots and garages are $20/day in October!), and the new Haunted Happenings Blog! If you would like a printed copy of the Haunted Happenings schedule of events, please email your mailing address to us at info@hauntedhappenings.org.

Jury Duty

Cry Innocent: the People Versus Bridget Bishop puts you in the jury during the Witch Trials of 1692. You can play your part in history and decide if Bridget is guilty or innocent - hear historic testimonies, cross-examine the witnesses, and then vote on the outcome!

Cry Innocent, which is produced by Gordon College, runs shows on Saturdays in September, and daily in October at Old Town Hall, 32 Derby Square.

Gordon College adds additional programming for October - History Alive! at Pioneer Village is open for group and self-guided tours of the three acre, recreated Pioneer Village. This is Naumkeag, which is what Salem was called in the 1630s before it was Salem (the native Americans named it Naumkeag, which means "fishing place" and then the Europeans named it Salem, which means "peace," as in Shalom or Jerusalem (City of Peace).) There are historically accurate costumed guides and participatory activities at History Alive! in Pioneer Village.

Things change at Forest River Park in the evenings during October - Spiritways: A night in Besieged Salem Village presents a terrifying night-time visit to the Salem of the infamous "afflicted girls". It is a full-immersion journey through the village and the woods, and it is not recommended for young children!

Forest River Park, where Pioneer Village is located, is a lovely seaside park with walking paths, two beaches, and a playground. For more information on the Gordon College productions, visit Gordon.edu/HistoryAlive/Productions.

Buy Tickets for Taste of the Wharf: Autumnfest!

Everyone is invited to attend Pickering Wharf’s 2nd Annual Taste of the Wharf: Autumnfest, Sunday, September 21, 2008, 2:00 PM -5:00 PM. Pickering Wharf Merchants Association will sponsor "tastes" offered by Finz, Victoria Station, and Capt’s Waterfront Grill & Pub. Entertainment will be provided on the waterfront by The Boston Horns (who are really good, by the way!). Retail shops will be open, with specials and sales for all ticket holders.

Tickets cost just $10 before Tuesday, Sept. 16, or $15 after this date. Proceeds will benefit The Salem Education Fund initiated by Mayor Kim Driscoll, in an effort to offset the recent budget crisis and layoffs.

Tickets may be purchased at these Pickering Wharf merchants: The Picklepot, Living With Pets, The Cow’s Meow, Quint Essentials, Artemesia, Black Paw, Fringe Salon, The Cat n’ The Fiddle Uniques, Peter Barter Florist, Kissable Paws, Antiques Gallery, Salemdipity, Crafter’s Market.

Or mail your check payable to PWMA to 96 Wharf Street Salem, MA 01970, and tickets will be mailed to you.