Salem Main Streets and the Salem Chamber of Commerce invite you to participate in the annual Salem’s So Sweet Chocolate & Ice Sculpture Festival – a decadent tradition of delectable chocolate, sparkling ice sculptures, and Valentine’s Day shopping!
Now in its 20th year, the signature elements of the festival have evolved to include new app-based games with prizes, more ice sculptures than ever before, two nights of illuminated sculptures, live ice-sculpting, and of course, sweet specials and promotions at local shops and restaurants throughout the city. It is Salem’s sweetest time of the year, after all!
The popular ice sculpture and illumination feature is bigger than ever this year, with a record-breaking 37 ice sculptures planned, and TWO nights of illuminations. A special sneak peek with a limited number of sculptures will be illuminated on Friday night on the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall and Lappin Park only, and on Saturday night all of the sculptures will be lit. Sculptures will be illuminated by Retonica between 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. both nights, weather permitting. Some of the sculptures this year range from a unicorn to the Staypuft Marshmallow Man to Mary Spencer (founder of Ye Olde Pepper Companie) to the ever-popular Olaf. Attendees can play the new Ice Sculptures Challenge using the Destination Salem app throughout the weekend to be eligible for prizes. A map of all ice sculptures and more information are available online at salemsosweet.com
Many local businesses will offer their own chocolate and love-inspired specials for the duration of Salem’s So Sweet in celebration of Valentine’s Day. New this year, visitors can use the Destination Salem app to play the “Chocolate Hearts Challenge”, a points-driven game where customers can scan a unique QR code posted near the point of sale at participating businesses to earn points and win prizes. A purchase by the customer is not required but is highly encouraged. A full list of participating businesses and information about how to play can be found at salemsosweet.com.
Festival volunteers will be out at information stations throughout the weekend distributing maps and helping players navigate the new app games. Musicians will be strolling and treating attendees to tunes at peak sculpture viewing times, adding some extra warmth to the festivities. Also new this year, our long-time sculptor Ice Effects will be live sculpting on the Pedestrian Mall in front of the East India Marine Hall on Saturday afternoon.
Salem’s So Sweet is organized by Salem Main Streets and the Salem Chamber of Commerce, with support from Destination Salem. The 2022 festival is made possible in part by a grant through the City of Salem and U.S. Economic Development Administration, and the support of our sponsors: Salem Witch Museum, ASCEND Get Lifted, Armstrong Field Real Estate, Goldberg Properties, Seagrass, St. Jean’s Credit Union, Groom Construction, Retonica, Rockland Trust, and Witch City Wicks. Visit salemsosweet.com for more events and details as they become available and follow the Facebook page for all the latest updates at facebook.com/salemsosweet. Use the Destination Salem App for the best information about exploring Salem.
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