Photo Highlights from Salem's So Sweet 2021

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.

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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

a man standing next to a long row of ice sculptures. — Salem's So Sweet 2021
Photos by Creative Collective

a woman taking a picture of a large ice sculpture.

a city street with a lot of lights on it.

a man and a woman standing inside of a heart shaped ice sculpture.

a city street at night with people walking around.

a person is taking a picture of some ice sculptures.

a woman standing next to a painting of an octopus.

a group of people standing in front of a building.

a group of wooden cut outs of animals on display.

a group of people standing around a statue.

a sign that says salt in front of a building.

a couple of men standing next to each other.

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.

a window with a sign on it that says, holy c you're amazing. — Anna Dugan | Annadidathing

a window with a sign on it that says alone together. — Hailey Bonia| Flourish Artistic Services

a man standing on a ladder in front of a window. — Meg Nichols | m.Ink studios

a window with a sign on it that says dear salem. — Hailey Bonia| Flourish Artistic Services

a brick building with two large windows and a sign on the side of the building. — Hailey Bonia| Flourish Artistic Services

a couple of people walking down a street. — Hailey Bonia| Flourish Artistic Services

a drawing of a building on a window. — Kate Feld | Ghost Wolf Handmade

a red window with a picture of a lobster in it. — Meg Nichols | m.Ink studios

a person painting a sign on the side of a building. — Anna Dugan | Annadidathing

a sign on the side of a building that says you take my broth away. — Anna Dugan | Annadidathing

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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