Cops on Halloween

Today is the big day, Halloween in Salem Mass.  Friends who just got into town said that the MBTA Commuter Rail from North Station to Salem was almost 100% full.  The streets must be cleared of all vehicles by noon and all traffic will be blocked off by 4pm.

Hundreds of cops from surrounding communities will be patrolling town so be on your best behavior.

Have fun and follow us on Twitter today @saleminsider as we post photos and give updates.  Feel free to send us some of your favorite photos and we will do a big photo post tomorrow.

Wednesday October 28th, 2009

SYNTH: 80′s party with Darq

Synth: an 80's Halloween party

Tonight from 8:30-12:30 at Bangkok Paradise we get a special treat and get enjoy a decade with a DARQ twist! DJ Alvis, DJ Zombi and VuDu DJ will spin your 80′s favorites only spookier! And the 2nd annual Halloween Thriller Costume Contest will be held. Cash & prizes for best 80s costume, best non-80s costume & a grand prize for best in show! And best of all: NO COVER CHARGE. More info at myspace.com/decade80snight

Thursday October 29th, 2009

The Dumb Supper: Dinner with the Dead

Dumb Supper

The Hawthorne Hotel plays host to one of the most interesting events of the Halloween season, the Dumb Supper.  This dining event presented by the Salem Witches honors the dead with a “sumptuous dinner” observed in silence as touching music plays. The concept behind the Dumb Supper is great, by remaining quiet, you will open your heart and mind to those who have crossed over.  However the $100 a head price tag behind this vegetarian only meal will leave foodies an people concerned with the recession perplexed.

For more info about the night including the menu and to buy tickets check out FestivalOfTheDead.com.

Friday October 30th, 2009

The Official Salem Witches’ Halloween Ball

The official Salem Witches Ball

Join DJ Addambombb (you may remember him from last weeks Vampyre Ball)  as he spins a mix of pop, rock and goth at the Hawthorne Hotel from 7:30pm – 12:30am.  Unlike many Salem events during the Halloween season Witches’ Halloween Ball is an 18+  party.  Tickets are an exorbitant $150 but for many this is the best Halloween party out there and only event they will attend.  You can also win a $1,000 prize in the mythical monsters themed costume contest.

The 3rd annual SALEM HARVEST FEST

Salem Harvest Fest presented by Pamplemousse & Magic Hat Brewing takes place this Saturday, October 24th from 2 – 6 pm at 294 Essex (Salem Y Ballroom) is a grand tasting of over 100 fine wines, craft beers and delicious mead.  Local breweries Cape Ann, Ipswich & Stone Cat Brewing, Wachusett Brewing and Magic Hat will be on hand as well as an assortment of international beers from Atlantic and Seaboard Imports.  This year, they have local wineries Turtle Creek and Still River Winery participating, as well as a fantastic array of wines from around the world.

Tickets are a well spent $20 in advance and $25 for more info head over to salemharvestfest.com

The DARQ Gala

2009 DARQ Gala

Coming in on the top of the “unique and affordable  Halloween evening events” list is the DARQ Gala.  When it comes to Salem Balls, Gala’s and Hootenannys, this event always brings out the the well dressed locals and imports from the greater Boston area who enjoy the darker more gothic side of Salem.

This year’s DARQ Gala feature’s live performances by Angels on Acid and Boston’s Ground to Dust. (Bands that Vudu:DJ’s been playing, and Salem has been dancing to…) AND! DJ Cypherpunk will be keeping the aural flow in the times between sets. Tickets are $20 at the door, and $15 in advance, via the link on darqsalem.com.

Bikers Redux

21st Annual Halloween Ride

They were rained out last week but they are rolling in to town this Sunday. The Boston/Salem Harley Davidson MDA motorcycle Ride is coming to town.

Bruce Rossmeyer might be dead but the giving spirit of Boston area bikers is alive and well. For the past 21 years motorcyclists from all around New England have come to Boston and ridden up to Salem for the day.  The ride with a $20 entry fee per rider benefits the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Thousands of bikers come to enjoy the sights and sounds of pre-Halloween Salem.

Traffic Warning: Derby and Lafayette streets will be blocked off to bikes only for a few hours (usually 1-3pm) so traffic will be more tight than normal. Also, all those bikes tend to be a bit noisy so if you are near the self appointed “Salem Sound Police” and hear them bitching ask them how much good they have done for the underprivileged today.

Today Show in Salem… almost

Today Show Cast in bad pose

You may have heard the rumors that NBC’s Today Show is coming to Salem.  Well – sort of… The  cast of the Today Show will not be here but crew will be filming a segment here in town and our friends over at Rockafellas are throwing a premature costume party. The Today Show Costume Party, featuring the Open Bar Band, on Friday October 17. Dress as Hoda or Kathie Lee (apparently they are on the late segment), and you may be featured in the segment they are filming.

Rocky Horrible’s?

Rocky Horror and Dr. Horrible

Cinema Salem is blending two cult classics (ok, one cult classic and one internet cult phenomenon) into one night of fun.  Tonight Friday October 16th at 11pm they will be showing the Rocky Horror Picture Show which most people are well aware of and Joss Whedon’s (the guy behind Firefly, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel and most recently Dollhouse)  Dr. Horrible’s Sing Along Blog. This is sure to be a great night of campy fun and cinematic intergration as you and your fellow movie goers dress up, shout out and sing along with the cast and film in one of Salem’s best bargains, Cinema Salem.

Fun for Kids and plenty of pumpkins

If you have kids you’re going to have a hard time determining what to do this weekend because there are just so many options.

Halloween at Hogwarts
Saturday 9am – 12Noon
Phoenix School 89 Margin Street
Grab your robe, pack your imagination in your trunk, put your owl on your shoulder and head for Track 9 3/4. Using art materials and science experiements, help Harry and his friends solve the mystery of the horcruxes and save the world. Ages 6-11 Admission is $25 with pre-registration required. Free Parking
www.phoenixschool.org

Pumpkin Festival & Food Court
Saturday 10am – 5pm
Salem Common
See a display of pumpkins decorated by Salem and area school children and see if your little ones can find their way through the hay bale maze!
www.HauntedHappenings.org

Family Fun Day at Salem Maritime
Saturday 10am – 4pm
Derby Wharf Area Derby Street
Come in costume or as you are! Join Salem Maritime for a day of free family fun on Derby Wharf! Children of all ages can dance to live musicians, get their faces painted, sail model boats, and earn Junior Ranger badges among many other activities.
www.nps.gov/sama

National Park Service Jr. Ranger Costume Day
Saturday 10:30am – 4pm
Salem Maritime 160 Derby Street St. Joseph Hall 2nd Flr.
Come dressed in costume representing a Person, animal or object connected to a National Park. Do Jr. Ranger activities and prepare to build a ship!Children in costume will also be given Free admission to the shipwright program. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Children 8-12. Adult Admission $5 Children 6-16 $3.00 Children under 6 Free! For ideas on your costume visit www.nps.gov
www.nps.gov/sma

Salem Youth Hockey Pumpkin Festival
Saturday 11am – 5pm
Salem Common
Come decorate a pumpkin and play some games

The Great Pumpkin Carving Contest
Saturday 11am – 4pm
Pickering Wharf
Children from 5-99 may carve/decorate their pumpkin for first, second and third places in age grouped judging.
www.HalloWharf.com

Kids Fun Run
Saturday 11am
Salem Common
Enjoy a fun run with your kids! Prizes awarded for the scariest costume, funniest costume & the most creative costume. Pre-Entry (by October 10): $7.00/child with t-shirt guaranteed. Post-entry/race day: $10.00/child (t-shirt not guaranteed). Ages 2 & under (50 yard dash on grass); Ages 3-4 (100 yard dash on grass), Ages 5-9 (1/4 mile on path around the Common), Ages 10-12 (1/2 mile on path around the Common).

The Bikers are Coming!

21st Annual Halloween Ride

Bruce Rossmeyer might be dead but the giving spirit of Boston area bikers is alive and well. For the past 21 years motorcyclists from all around New England have come to Boston and ridden up to Salem for the day.  The ride with a $20 entry fee per rider benefits the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Thousands of bikers come to enjoy the sights and sounds of pre-Halloween Salem.

Traffic Warning: Derby and Lafayette streets will be blocked off to bikes only for a few hours (usually 1-3pm) so traffic will be more tight than normal. Also, all those bikes tend to be a bit noisy so if you are near the self appointed “Salem Sound Police” and hear them bitching ask them how much good they have done for the underprivileged today.

Darq does the Shanty

Local wax spinner / master of the steel wheels, Voodoo:DJ spins tunes from your favorite rock music to spooky goth industrial and Halloween jams. This is a rare opportunity to catch one of Salem’s finest DJs at a free show from 7-11.  Plus the Lobster Shanty on Artists Row off of Front Street has a great selection of fall & Halloween beers for your consumption.

Halloween Carnival

Carnival

Carnival is back in town as of Friday the 16th and will be open noon to 9pm.  The tall grass has been mowed over at the vacant lot on Derby St. next to the Hess station and the carnies, booths and rides are all loading in.

Witch City Show and Glow Car Show

For the past few years the area on Essex street from Hawthorne Blvd to Liberty St. (in front of Crow Haven, Fools Mansion down to the PEM) has been blocked off for a small car show. The focus of this show will be newer Chrysler’s.  Think PT Cruisers, 300′s and the like.  If you like cars, neon and fun paint jobs this is a cute oasis in an otherwise commercially spooky desert.

Coming this weekend, “Eeek I’m on lockdown” and “Are we being invaded by bikers?”

Salem's Super Info Booth

According to their website

Fun for all ages this street festival has something for everyone. Crafts, jewelry, paintings, stained glass, and other unique items will be featured along the Essex Pedestrian Mall. Street performers, face painters, and musicians will entertain all.

So this is what all the insiders know. The Salem BizBaz is an opportunity for scores of vendors to set up shop on Essex Street, Hawthorne Blvd. and Derby Square. Some of these vendors are from local shops while others are from schools, charities and civic organizations, oh and some yummie food purveyors.

If you are one of those people who always want to do something to help your fellow man but never seem to get around to it the BizBaz is the time for you to make good. Over by Rockafellas you will find some of the good people who work with Camp Sunshine. Camp Sunshine is a retreat in Maine for children with life threatening illnesses and their families. Donate a few dollars and put a smile on the face of someone less fortunate.

Want to put your money to work a bit closer to home? Salem high school football has a booth set up at the top of Derby Square, trying to raise funds for new uniforms. Further down the street by Fools Mansion you can find a Salem Little League booth and a Salem Police tent.

In an amongst all the a fore mentioned booths you will find jewelry makers, face painters, witch hat vendors, plenty of tee shirt sales, candied apples, kettle corn, magical crystals and all sorts of other fun stuff.

The Zombie Walk, a relatively new tradition in Salem is open to everyone and fun for both participants and onlookers.  This event is not run by the city so you wont find it on the official Haunted Happenings website but Salem Zombie Walk has myspace page and a facebook page with info and updates.

Salem MA Zombie Walk

Zombie Walk Salem October 10th 2009

Last year the Zombie Walk was hurried through town by their police escort, it was the fastest moving contingent of zombies I’ve ever seen.  This year things will be different (hopefully), one major change is during the middle of the walk, the zombies will break out into Michael Jackson’s ubiquitous Thriller dance.

From their facebook page:

Zombie Day Salem 2009!!! The entire day of 10.10.09 will be zombie day! All zombies meet at Collin’s Cove Field for zombie games like Kickbrain, Capture the Hand, etc…. First, Second, and Third best zombie costume contest, with prizes, so please dress your finest and goriest! Lobster Shanty will be serving actual brains on the menu this day! We will march through the streets of Salem.. Please stay in zombie character the entire time! Sometime during the walk, a group will break out into the Thriller Dance.. please see this seperate event page for details on that http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=138862999291&ref=mf
Zombie after-parties and zombie-like bands at local bars throughout the city!!! Complete zombie day here throughout the entire day, everywhere in Salem. All local businesses will be participating in character, so feel free to disperse throughout the city and experience the eeriness! You must be there. You must experience!!!!

The organizers of the Zombie Walk are scheduling a few dance classes to help you learn the Thriller dance but if you can’t make those thankfully ThrillTheWorld.com has instructional videos. You will find instruction on the different aspects of the Thriller dance, how to walk like a zombie, the shuffle, stomp and a full walk through so you will be prepared for the walk.

Dress up, join in and have fun.

According to their website:

You are invited to America’s most exciting Halloween festival in the bewitching seaport city of Salem, Massachusetts.  A month of fun for the entire family. Discover the magic of Salem for Halloween!

Vampire with Baby

As readers of this blog know there is always something to do in Salem and during Haunted Happenings. Salem in October transforms into a special place that celebrates all things spooky and throws the biggest Halloween party on the planet. Each year the festivities kick off with the Grand Parade, continue with various events through out the month and wrap up with late night fireworks on the 31st.

We will be putting the spotlight on some of the upcoming events that are not to be missed.  If you have an favorite event you think our readers need to know about drop us a line.

Haunted Happenings Grand Parade

The Salem Chamber of Commerce does such a great job organizing so many events around town but the Haunted Happenings Grand Parade might be one of their most visible and well attended events.  Salem’s students from kindergarten to college, businesses and civic organizations all gather at Shetland park on October 1st at 6:30 and trek through down town (Congress to Derby to Lafayette to Front to Washington to Essex and ending in the Salem Common. This years theme is “Night at the Museum”.

People from all around line the parade routes to watch kids in costume, bands on parade floats, ghost busters, marching bands and the synchronized lawn chair drill team.  This is a great way to get you in the mood for the season and is a signal that the hustle and bustle of tourist season is about to commence.

Haunted Happenings Parade road closures

A parking ban will be in effect on 10/1/09 on the following streets between 5pm and 9pm. Any vehicle parked in these areas will be towed.
Congress Street – both sides from Harbor St. to Derby St.
Derby Street – both sides between Congress St. and Lafayette St.
Lafayette Street – both sides between Derby St. and Front St.
Front Street – both sides.
Essex Street between Liberty St. and Hawthorne Blvd.
Washington Sq – both sides in front of the hotel.

The following roads will be closed on 10/1/09 from 6pm until 9pm.
Congress Street will be closed from Harbor Street to Derby Street.
Derby Street will be closed from Congress Street to New Derby Street.
Commuters will not be able to use Route 1A between Dodge St. and Brown Street which includes Derby Street, Hawthorne Boulevard and Washington Square at the Common entrance.
Also closed to traffic will be New Derby Street, Front Street and Washington Street between New Derby Street and Church Street.
Essex Street will also be closed at Washington Street.

Next up the Zombie Walk

Mobile Command Vehicle

It seemed like a rather tame Halloween with an estimated 100,000 people coming in to town.  More were expected due to the great weather and the holiday falling on a Friday.  Perhaps all the hype of a massive crush into Salem kept some revelers away or maybe it was the large number of private parties held around town that kept people off the street.  People seemed to have a fun time but there were less people in costume than previous years and of those costumed many less slutty naughty costumes were seen (much to our dismay).

Here are a few photos we took, more are available on our flickr page.  If you have some photos you’d like to share drop us a link or post one in the comments.

Good Witch

Misfits

Vampre with Baby

Princess Leia loves PRB

Satan and the God squad

Tomorrow it will be absolutely bonkers in Salem.  The weather is looking good and this year Halloween is on a Friday night.  Last year over 100,000 people came to Salem to celebrate and I predict we will get much more than that this year.

If you are coming to Salem for the first time or maybe you are an annual visitor or perhaps a new resident, you might enjoy this little refresher list of do’s and dont’s.

Salem Streets on Halloween

DO come early and take public transportation.  The T has added extra commuter rail trains to Salem and extended the hours of those leaving last trains to Boston, 11 to 11:24 p.m.; last trains to Newburyport, 11:26 p.m.; last train to Rockport, 12:38 a.m.  DON’T plan on parking anywhere near down town if you drive in after noon.  If you have to drive you will be walking a distance.

DO wear something comfortable.  I know you want to wear that slutty witch costume with the 8 inch f**k me boots, and we want to see you in it but remember that many of our streets are cobblestone or brick.  DO consider the size of your costume as you will be packed in like sardines whether on the street or in a bar.  DON’T freak out when you get stopped every 5 seconds because someone wants to take a picture of you looking like a bondage Tickle Me Elmo in a gimp outfit.

Naughty Halloween Costumes

DON’T expect a prime spot at your favorite bar.  DO use the opportunity to chat up people so they will give you their bar stool when they leave.

Speaking of drinking, DON’T bring a glass bottle of jagermeister with you.  I’ve seen too many people trip over their own costume or someone elses, packing glass is a bad idea.  DO patronize your favorite watering hole or have a cocktail at home.  If you must bring a beverage with you, use a flask.

View from Bar on Halloween

DO take the time to walk all around down town.  The streets will be blocked off from Washington Street from New Derby to Lynde streets; Derby Street from Lafayette to Congress streets; Hawthorne Boulevard from Derby to Essex streets; Washington Square west and south; Essex Street from Barton Square to Union Street.  Live bands and DJ’s will be set up on all of the streets with different types of music playing.  DON’T stay in one spot, you’ll miss out on so much of whats going on.  At least do one jog around town and plop yourself at your favorite spot.

The City wants to close things down at 10:30 pm ,well before you are done partying.  DON’T wait to get into a bar or restaurant no lines will be allowed after 10:45.  DO plan on being inside somewhere or being moved along by the massive contingent of coppers.

Cops on Halloween

If you are not comfortable in large crowds DO come early and leave early or take a valium.   DON’T expect people to make a path for you to move.   DO be polite, it will get you much further than being a tool.

We will be out having fun and taking pictures but if you have a great photo you would like to share with us send it over and we will post a bunch on Monday.

The Vampires Masquerade Ball

The Vampires Masquerade Ball

Having long been the premiere event of the Halloween season this ball has moved from venue to venue and this year is descending upon Finz Seafood restaurant on Salems wharf.

It should come as no surprise to anyone that since October is Salem’s busy month, bars and restaurants jack their prices up through the roof for anyone wanting to book space to hold an event.  Many of the restaurants that have function rooms are delusional and think that people will bang down their door wanting to have a wedding there in the mist of all the spookiness.  From what I have been told, it is due to this and some changes in the organization structure of the Vampire Ball that so much talk about the specifics and price of this event has occurred. I an assure you that as of today tickets  for the October 25th Vampire Masquerade Ball are still available on their website for $95.

This is a “dress to impress” event with a $500 cash prize going to the person with the most provocative costume.  DJ Addambombb will be spinning the tunes, Black Cat Burlesque will be shaking their stuff and Finz will be supplying some hors d’oeuvres.  Local clothier Fools Mansion usually does a fashion show at this event, however as of yesterday when we spoke with them it was unclear if that was going to happen.  We will let you know when we hear any news.

The DARQ Gala

DARQ Gala

For those of you who want to save $75 but still put your leather, rubber or pvc on, the unlikely standout of Salem’s club scene, DARQ held at the Bangkok Paradise has upped their game (and price) for a great event and fine alternative to the Vampire Ball.   The DARQ Gala also held on October 25th, will feature NYC Industrial Artists Terrorfakt and DJ/Project Tonikom. If you are not familiar with their music go check out their myspace pages at the links provided – we’ll wait.  Your host Vudu DJ will also be spinning tunes through out the night.

A strict dress code will be inforced.  Wear your goth/industrial/fetish best because this week even basic black and your $20 cover (usually $5 but this is how it goes for special events in October) might not be enough to get you into this industrial Gala.

Drunken Happenings

Drink em up

Using some whimsical adaptations from the official Haunted happenings an avid group of Pub Crawlers brings you Salem’s 4th Annual Drunken Happenings, this Saturday October 18th starting at 3pm.  The crawl involves visiting 7 different bars and drinking the recommended specialty drinks.  Six hours later everyone meets up at O’Neills to swap stories and hi-five your new BFF.

Having organized a few Salem Pub Crawls myself I commend the Drunken Happenings crew for getting the word out about being safe.  They suggest you crawl with a group, set aside time for dinner and remind you NOT TO DRIVE.  They even went the extra mile and included info on the cab company and pedicabs for those who might be in need.

While there was some talk of this event being canceled due to an increased police presence this year, it is still on.  I look forward to sharing a drink with many of you who will be crawling and remember – Be Safe Out There!

Octoberfest

Do you like oom-pah Bands?  What about cute chicks wearing a drindl?  Are you looking for an excuse to dust off the lederhosen in your closet?  Then look no further, Octoberfest is coming to Salem.

Octoberfest

I can’t tell you that all the girls that show up will be this pretty nor can I tell you the mugs will be this large but I can tell you they both should.

Here is the low down.  This great idea was brought to life by Dianne from Pamplemousse (remember Harvestfest) and it looks to be a lot of fun.  A large tent will be set up in the Front Street parking lot on Friday October 24th serving as your Octoberfest headquarters till Sunday the 26th.  Local brewery Ipswich Ale will be providing the suds for your consumption.

Now for the bad news.

You have to buy a $20 ticket to enter the tent, similar to the real Oktoberfest (or Wies’n as it’s called in the motherland) where you need to buy a voucher to get a seat in order to be served, however that $20 ticket only gives you a commemorative Ipswich Ale mug and one beer.  If the festbier (German for beers sold during Oktoberfest) are 1 liter and the server girls are seriously cute then maybe just maybe $20 is worth it.  Keep in mind though if you want  any food (New England type food not Germany type food) or an additional beer you are paying for it out of your own pocket.

Proceeds from the event will go to Destination Salem a city department that markets Salem as a tourist destination.  Organizers are hoping to walk away with $30,000 profit.  While I hope this event is a huge success and they hit their mark something tells me that paying for additional beers of unknown size and price on top of a $20 cover charge might discourage most potential revelers. We will do a follow up to this and let you know how it went.

Witch City Motorcycle Run for MDA

Last year we reported that Boston Harley-Davidson (the ride organizer) had been purchased by Bruce Rossmeyer (a big deal in the Harley world) and that he had breathed new life back into the old ride.   As you know, Rossmeyer recently opened the Salem Harley shop on the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall.  This year he along with a few celebrity’s will be  leading the parade in what promises to be a large and impressive ride.

The parade route is supposed to be similar to last years with the procession making its way down Lafayette to Derby around 2pm this Sunday October 19th.  The streets get lined with onlookers early so stake your claim.  I’m looking forward to seeing some great photos and video from this years ride.

Since the weather is predicted to be great for riding plan on an additional 4000 plus people in town.  Also, keep in mind that getting lunch or dinner in Salem will be a bit tighter than a normal weekend day in October so make your plans with that in mind.

Salem MA Zombie Walk

Salem State College is participating in  “Thrill The World“, a 25th anniversary commemorative event celebrating Michael Jackson’s Thriller – perhaps one of the best videos of all time.  If you want to participate all you need to do is learn the dance, dress like a zombie and head over to Veterans Hall on the SSC campus Saturday October 25th at noon. More info is available on their website. Just to get you in the mood here are 1500 Philippino Prisoners busting out the moves.

If organized zombie dances aren’t your thing you might want to check out round 2 of the Zombie Walk.

On November 1st after the crazyness has died down a bit a second Zombie walk will commence.  Leaving from Collins Cove and making its way to Cinema Salem where there will be a special showing of Die You Zombie Bastards. As many Salem Insiders know this film was writen by a Salem State professor and shot locally.

Oh and if you want to see a few more pictures from the first Zombie walk in Salem you can head over to our Flickr page.

If you are new to Salem or are just coming for a visit please note that most of the streets in the down town area will be on lock down tonight.

According to the Salem PD:

A parking ban will be in effect along the parade route streets beginning at 5pm and roads along the route will be closed from 6pm until 9pm.
On Thursday, October 2nd the Grand Opening Parade will begin at 6:30 p.m. The parade route is as follows: From Congress Street at Shetland Park, the parade will take a left onto Derby Street, a right onto Lafayette Street, a left onto Front St., a right onto Washington Street, a right onto the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall, a left onto Washington Square and into the Salem Common.

A parking ban will be in effect on 10/2/08 on the following streets between 5pm and 9pm. Any vehicle parked in these areas will be towed.
Congress Street – both sides from Harbor St. to Derby St.
Derby Street – both sides between Congress St. and Lafayette St.
Lafayette Street – both sides between Derby St. and Front St.
Front Street – both sides.
Essex Street between Liberty St. and Hawthorne Blvd.
Washington Sq – both sides in front of the hotel.

The following roads will be closed on 10/2/08 from 6pm until 9pm.
Congress Street will be closed from Harbor Street to Derby Street.
Derby Street will be closed from Congress Street to New Derby Street.
Commuters will not be able to use Route 1A between Dodge St. and Brown Street which includes Derby Street, Hawthorne Boulevard and Washington Square at the Common entrance.
Also closed to traffic will be New Derby Street, Front Street and Washington Street between New Derby Street and Church Street.
Essex Street will also be closed at Washington Street.

In other event news

Painting at Witch City Ink

Art Fusion at Witch City Ink

Friday night there will be a public event intended to increase awareness of the tattoo artist’s capacity for fine art. The night will offer insight into the nature of tattoo fine art for the general public and any viable media source. Tattoo Artist and Artists from all other mediums will be welcome to come and work in a creative open studio atmosphere every Friday night in October.  So if you are an artist or just enjoy watching art happen, head on over to Witch City Ink.

Zombie Walk Salem T-Shirt

Zombie Walk

Sunday – As you may have heard the Zombie Walk is getting much attention by “the man” and event organizers are being strong-armed into paying for permits and having police details.  This is changing from its original intent of being a spontaneous spooky happening to a disneyfied-official-in-the-guidebook event.  While we are not too happy with city officials we still fully support Steve in his effort to do something fun and formerly free.  If you would like to find out more info about Sundays Zombie Walk or support this effort by either buying a killer t-shirt or making a donation head over to their Zombie Walk Salem myspace page.

Corn Stalk Decorations

This morning I saw our intrepid city workers carting out trucks full of fresh cut corn stalks and tying them to every available light post and street sign they could find.  Just think in a mere 36 days they will be dry enough to turn into flaming pop-corn dispensers by drunken revelers.

This year Halloween in Salem (and everywhere else for that matter) is on a Friday.  It’s going to be a freaking mad house!  There are so many great parties going on all through the month, starting with our Insiders Open House and coming to a climax with over 100,000 people swarming Salem’s down town on October 31st.

We will keep you abreast of all the great on goings in our fair city but be forewarned this is the first big weekend.  Perhaps the rain will keep some people away however, look for parking to go into lockdown with higher prices at the lots, more enforcement at the meters and resident parking stickers reqired on most streets.  You can head over to our parking primer for more details.

The police had sectioned off all of the down town area from Derby St. to the Common down to the train station and over to the post office. All available space was being used with bands and DJs set up on Hawthorne Blvd., Derby St., and Washington St., and a food court set up in the Common.

People were all decked out in their finest costumes. All the traditional Dracula, werewolf, Frankenstein, and mummy’s made an appearance. But the overwhelming costumes for women, or should I say girls was the slutty “fill in the blank” of note were, cop, witch, nurse, pirate, umpire, vampire, fireman, candy corn, devil, wonder woman, cat woman, rainbow bright, gangster, prison inmate, and last but not least slutty nun. The adult entertainment industry can rest assured that the next generation of performers is ready and willing to step up.

Not to be left out of the fun, a cadre of fundamentalist Christians were patrolling the streets with giant signs and bullhorns. I think their warnings of eternal damnation fell on deaf ears. Satan showed up and gathered quite a crowd when he was hanging out with the God squad.

Shortly after 10pm the fireworks started up on the water adjacent to the commuter rail station. It was a half hearted attempt at topping off the night, unfortunately they seemed to drag on uneventfully for a half hour. When the fireworks had wrapped up the police had sectioned off the area and started pushing people out of town, beginning with the pedestrian mall. By midnight Salem once again was returned to its former self, with all the vendors and tourists just a memory.

This morning it seemed almost sad.

The carnival consists of about 5 rides and 3 games of skill/chance.  It’s way over priced ($4 for a ride on the ferris wheel) and probably a waste of your time.  Unless you have kids or want to break your tooth on a candied apple you can avoid this attraction.

In other more exciting news; Today is the Big Day!

If you are still thinking of coming into Salem, take the train.  All the parking lots are full already (its 10:30 am). The parade starts at 9 and fireworks are at 10.  Salem Insiders know to get a good spot at one of the local watering holes or outside areas to watch the freakshow as it explodes after school and after dark.

Tomorrow we will have a bunch of great photos recapping the madness that is Salem on Halloween.

On a separate note- I’ve spent some time retrieving some of the old articles from the database crash. But the most recent backup was too long ago and we will never recover everything.

This year Boston Harley has a new owner, Bruce Rossmeyer. And he has made some major changes over there. One of which was to bring back the old parade route. The past few years the ride has been a mess, starting late, riding the highway to make up time, a general state of disorder. This year the ride was prompt and wound up 1A with the lead police motorcycles shooting down LaFayette and onto Derby at a few minutes past 2pm. It took about an hour for all the bikes to finish filing in with many riders in costume and some handing out halloween candy to the crowd of thousands lining the streets.

Every food joint or place to grab a drink from the wharf to down town was slammed from 3pm on. Sightseers were ogling the bikes as much as the amusements, cemeteries and other attractions.

If you are a fan of motorcycles and are going to visit Salem only once during the season (you would be missing out big time) come for the Witch Ride, you wont be disappointed.