Images by Creative Collective
Illumination provided by Retonica
Editor’s Note: Follow along with on Instagram @creativenorthshore this weekend to see highlights of the second half of the festival as they happen!
The Salem’s So Sweet Chocolate and Ice Sculpture festival took place over the first two weeks of February 2021. Click here to see our Instagram story highlights.*
In its 19th year, Salem’s So Sweet is a perennial favorite, celebrating delectable chocolate, sparkling ice sculptures, and Valentine’s Day shopping. It is undoubtedly Salem’s sweetest time of the year.
This popular annual event was updated to adhere to public health guidelines required by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the event provided opportunities to safely get outside, explore Salem, and support small businesses.
New this year was the inclusion and culmination of the Winter Places Initiative created by Creative Collective and Salem Main Streets. This project was designed to create safe and creative outlets for people to embrace the Winter season and engage with the Downtown and small businesses. Winter Places and Salem Winterlude were supported by Bench Places, the City of Salem, and Barr Foundation.
*Did you take photos of the event that you want us to share? Make sure to tag us @creativenorthshore or @creativecollectivema or using the hashtag #salemssosweet.
Festival Highlights
Love Letters to Salem – Creative Collective and Salem Main Streets
The Love Letters to… Campaign was an initiative that supported small businesses, makers, artisans, and performers! We created the Love Letters to…. campaign in the spirit of the month of February and the need to thank everyone who has been working so hard to keep us fed, clothed, and inspired throughout the challenges of the winter.
Ice Sculptures
Owl and Moon – Witch City Wicks and Moon Baby Hair Salon
The World – The Journeymasters
“Thanking All Alumni on the Front Lines” – Salem State University
Kids in Snow – Salem Cycle
Fish – Turner’s Seafood
Joan of Arc Sword and Shield – Coon’s Cards and Gift Shop
Sweets – Goldberg Properties
Rocking Horse – Maria’s Sweet Somethings
Down the Rabbit Hole – Jolie Tea Company
2021 Picture Frame – The Trolley Depot, Emporium 32, Modern Millie Shop, Salem Trolley, Coven’s Cottage, and Pamplemousse
Gingerbread House – Witch City Mall, A Sacred Place Wellness, Bewitched in Salem, Essex’s NY Pizza and Deli, Jodi Bee Bakes, Lotus Gifts, nAGLY, Polonus European Deli, Prime Mortgage, Remix Church, Silver Moon Comics and Collectibles, Thai Place, the Village Tavern, Witch Pix, and Witch Tees
Hello Kitty Phone – The Peabody Essex Museum
Piggy Bank – St. Jean’s Credit Union
Sailboat – Regatta Pub and Salem Waterfront Hotel
Candy – Ye Olde Pepper Company and the House of the Seven Gables
Bakery – Coffee Time Bake Shop
Click here for the full set of photos
HEAT: February 13 & 14
The event continues through this weekend with HEAT!
This year things will get hot with warming stations in downtown Salem and a new emphasis on spicy to compliment the Sweet. Love Letters to Salem will pop up around the downtown, including a NEW Love Letter Treasure Hunt! Seek out fragments of a love letter between Nathaniel and Sophia Hawthorne hidden in windows around the downtown and submit the completed text to be eligible for a prize. More details will be posted online at salemsosweet.com in February.
The Chocolate & Wine event has been cancelled this year due to the coronavirus restrictions. Instead, takeout options from participating restaurants and food purveyors are strongly encouraged and will be promoted throughout the two weeks.
Learn more at http://salemmainstreets.org
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