Mayor Dominick Pangallo announced that Salem’s Heritage Days festival will take place August 7th through August 13th, 2023, with a line-up of non-stop fun and special events. “I’m excited that our community will be able to celebrate over the course of this popular festival with so many special events,” said Mayor Pangallo. “I want to thank all of the organizations that coordinate these festivities to ensure the continuance of Salem’s Heritage Days.”
The week includes several events exclusively for seniors, including an ice cream social, a barbeque at Winter Island, and a Roaring 20’s Ball.
Monday evening, August 7th, the Salem Community Concert Band and Community Jazz Band, under the direction of Cynthia Napierkowski will take place at the Salem Willows Shell, and on Tuesday, August 8th, the North Shore Concert Band will perform a program of All-American Composers.
The Salem Police Department and Fire Department are planning a community cookout this year at Palmer Cove Park on Tuesday, August 8th at which residents will have a chance grab a burger or a hot dog and talk to our police officers and firefighters.
On Wednesday, August 9th, residents are invited to Derby Wharf to enjoy a free evening meal as part of the city’s very popular Salem Meet & Eat program and then continue on to the Salem Common for the very popular Ice Scream Bowl where SPS Superintendent Zrike will be on hand to chat with families about our public schools. Following dinner and ice cream, there will be a family movie on the Common on Wednesday evening, August 9th.
Thursday, August 10th is a wonderful chance to visit Salem’s weekly Farmers Market on Front Street, including a story time for youngsters hosted by the Salem Public Library at the market.
Friday night, August 11th, the Community Life Center will host a family bingo event. All supplies will be provided and there will be prizes!
On Saturday, Salem’s Tour-A-Truck event will be returning to the Salem Willows where youngsters will be able to explore big trucks, police cruisers and fire engines. There will be games and craft activities as well as some give-a-ways.
New this year, the Peabody Essex Museum will host a special event, the Tree of Care & Wonder/Arbol de Cuido + Maravillas, a collaboration with PEM Pals and Salem’s Public Artist-in-Residence, Claudia Paraschiv. There will be interactive performances and art-making every hour throughout the event.
Sunday’s closing events, the 21st Annual Phillips House Car Meet, and the Willows Sunset Hang will include a third event: Fusion Fest, a new event organized by and hosted at the House of the Seven Gables. The Gables has been working with Salem’s immigrant communities for over 100 years, and Fusion Fest is a celebration of their current Settlement students’ cultures, from food to music and dancing, to arts and crafts, and more.
During Heritage Days we would also like to highlight all of the opportunities for Salem residents to visit many of our downtown museums and attractions for free and receive discounts on the Salem Ferry. So, whether it be a free Salem Trolley Tour, enjoying a free community meal, tasting some ice cream, dancing to the Roaring 20’s or climbing a big dump truck, Heritage Days offers something for everyone.
For a complete schedule, more details about the Salem Heritage Days Festival, and about each of its many events, please visit https://www.salemma.gov/home/
