E-WASTE EVENT

The first of 4 Electronic Recycling events in 2019 takes place this Saturday. For more details about what to recycle and the cost, please see the attachment below.

If you need to get rid of anything with a plug, don't put it in the dumpster, bring it to the e-waste event at the Salem High School!

E-WASTE EVENT
Event Date:  
Saturday, March 30, 201
8:00am to 12:00pm

Address:
SALEM HIGH SCHOOL
77 Willson Street
Salem, MA 01970

Repair Cafe This Saturday

Repair Café

When: Saturday, February 2, 2019, 9:00 a.m. to noon

Where: The Bridge at 211(community center), 211 Bridge Street, Salem

Organized jointly by SalemRecycles and The Bridge at 211, the North Shore's fifth Repair Café will take place on Saturday, February 2 from 9:00 a.m. until noon (last appointment at 11:30) at The Bridge at 211. This is a free event, run completely by volunteers, to help Salem residents repair and restore their broken items, keeping them out of the waste stream.

Repair volunteers will be available to mend clothing, darn, sew buttons, hem, sharpen scissors and knives, repair jewelry, tinker with or rewire electronics and lamps (no TVs), and glue ceramics.

There are a limited number of pre-registration slots available. Walk ins welcome before 11:30. Contact Julie at jrose@salem.com or 978-619-5679. Visit SalemRecycles Facebook Event at https://www.facebook.com/events/343461409806467/ for more details.

Read more

Imagine Salem Issues Progress Report

Initiative offers vision for Salem in 2026 on its 400th birthday

One year after it launched, the Imagine Salem community visioning initiative has released a progress report outlining the key findings and themes from a year’s worth of public workshops, surveys, focus groups, and more. Imagine Salem seeks to bring together people, organizations, and businesses from across Salem to have a conversation about what they want the community to look like in 2026, the year that Salem celebrates its 400th birthday.

The dialogue was framed around housing, jobs, and transportation with themes of equity and inclusiveness woven throughout the topics. The vision statement will serve as a guide for future decisions: “In 2026 we are a sustainable and livable city where we celebrate our diverse histories and where people of all backgrounds and means participate and thrive.”

“I want to thank everyone who joined the Imagine Salem conversation over the last year,” said Mayor Kim Driscoll. “We learned so much and are definitely excited to share the findings with everyone. I encourage all Salem residents to check out the progress report with details about the findings and ideas on how we can bring to life the suggestions from the report. Please reach out with your comments and ideas. The work is far from done as this conversation will continue onward into developing specific goals and action items to achieve those goals.”

Read the report at www.imaginesalem.org. To sign up for future updates or send in your comments on the progress report, contact Imagine Salem at imaginesalem@salem.com.

Household Hazardous Waste Day in Beverly Open to Salem Residents

March 24, 8:00 a.m. to noon, Beverly High School

Since July 2009 the Cities of Salem and Beverly have partnered to offer each City’s residents the opportunity to participate in both a fall and spring hazardous waste program. The next such household hazardous waste day will take place at Beverly High School, March 24, from 8:00 a.m. to noon. Residents from both communities can drop off hazardous materials with a payment of $20.

Residents can drop off general hazardous waste materials such as light bulbs, automotive oil, pesticides, oil-based paint, motor oil and car batteries, rechargeable batteries, propane tanks, tires and aerosol cans. A driver’s license is required to prove residency. No e-waste will be collected on March 24 at Beverly High School.

Please note that this household hazardous waste collection day had previously been scheduled and announced for April 24. It will no longer take place on April 24 and, instead, take place on March 24.

Additional information on waste collection can be found at  https://www.salem.com/recycling-and-trash.

CANCELLATION NOTICE

2018 Christmas Tree Bonfire

The City of Salem's 15th Annual Christmas Tree Bonfire scheduled for Friday, January 5, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. at Dead Horse Beach at Salem Willows has been cancelled due to the impeding snow storm and dangerously cold temperatures being forecasted for this weekend.

PLEASE DO NOT DROP OFF YOUR TREES AT THE BEACH. THERE WILL BE NO BONFIRE.

Salem Christmas Tree Bonfire

If you are looking for the best way to get rid of your Christmas tree, the City of Salem's 15th Christmas Tree Bonfire is the way to go.

Event Date: 
City of Salem's 15th Annual
Christmas Tree Bonfire
Dead Horse Beach at Salem Willows
Friday, January 5, 2018 
6:00pm to 8:00pm

Bring your Christmas tree with you that evening, drop it off at the beach after January 2nd or leave it out for curbside pickup beginning January 2nd.
(In case of inclement weather, the  rain/snow/wind reschedule Date is Saturday, January 6th)
Check www.salem.com for rescheduling information.
Please don't forget to remove all decorations and lights from your treeCitywide Christmas Tree.

Give your Christmas tree the "Viking Funeral" it deserves!

Curbside Christmas Tree collection will take place curbside January 8-19 on your regular collection day
Sponsored by the City of Salem & the Salem Park, Recreation & Community Services Department

MARCH- Free Book Swap!

 If you live at 24 Norman Street and love books, you will want to save this date! The next Free Book Swap is Saturday, March 18 at the Council on Aging, 5 Broad Street, Salem, MA. "Swapping" isn't necessary -- feel free to drop off, take away, or both!

They will take BOOKS, CDs & DVDs, VCR TAPES, and GREETING CARDS.
All leftover material will be donated or recycled.

REUSABLE BAG SWAP.
Have excess reusable / cloth bags at home? Bring them to the Swap for others to take as needed.

GOT LOTS OF ITEMS? You can drop off ahead of time.
Drop off times are:
* Friday, March 17, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
* Saturday, March 18, 9:45am - noon

For more info or to volunteer, visit salem.com/recycling or call (978) 619-5679.

Clothing and Household Swap and Drop

It's spring (believe it or not) and time to clean out all that unwanted stuff!
Instead of leaving it in the laundry room or throwing it in the dumpster, why not bring your clothing and household discards to the Salem Recycles Clothing and Household Swap 'N' Drop being held on Salem Common, Saturday, May 7th? The event is from 10:00 AM til 1:00 PM with swapping going on between 10 and 12. Swap or simply drop off: women's men's and children's clothing, accessories, and small household items (please all in working order) Textiles can be in any condition but must be Clean and Dry.
Items not swapped will be picked up by RECYCLE THAT.
In addition , you may bring your plastic bags for recycling.
The event is sponsored by SalemRecycles, the city's volunteer recycling committee.
For more information visit salem.com/recycling, or greensalem.com, or call 978-619-5679

Free Book Swap

Saturday, March 19, 2016

Free Book Swap
10am-1pm
at Salem Senior Center
5 Broad Street!

Just in time for Spring Cleaning - SalemRecycles is holding another free book and media swap on Saturday, March 19, 2015 from 10 AM - 1 PM at the Senior Center, 5 Broad Street, Salem. All~books will be accepted. No "Swap" necessary, drop-off, take-away, or both. Everything that doesn’t find a new home will be donated or recycled.

Materials can be dropped off in advance on Friday, March 18 from 5:00-7:00 PM or bring them with you on Saturday, March 19  from 9:45 to noon. Volunteers will be available to help unload.

Everyone is invited to take books, etc.—no “swap” needed.

Salem residents get free pass to New England Aquarium all of September

With Salem schools not starting until Wednesday, September 9, summer is longer and more challenging for weary and cash-strapped parents and caregivers, continually looking for creative and entertaining ways to keep children busy for a few more days.

The New England Aquarium has just the remedy, exclusive to SALEM RESIDENTS ONLY: Free admission for the entire month of September. That is nearly a $100 savings for most families to see the Aquarium’s new exhibit on sea turtle rescue as well as penguins, fur seals, sea lions, harbor seals, sharks, sting rays, and thousands of more aquatic animals.

PROOF OF SALEM RESIDENCE - At the Aquarium’s box office, Salem residents need to show either their licenses, state identification cards, passports, or current mortgage, insurance, utility, or banking statements. Here is the link for more information: www.neaq.org/salem.  This offer is not available for phone or online orders, or for school or other group reservations. It may not be combined with other offers and is not valid on the New England Aquarium Whale Watch or in the Simons IMAX Theatre.

SALEM’S BENEFACTOR - Salem Mayor Kimberley Driscoll stated, "Salem is so fortunate to be the beneficiary of the Norman H. Read Trust, which focuses on funding science education and technology in our schools and for our children.~This September, Salem Days gives all of our residents the opportunity to explore marine science with free admission to the New England Aquarium."
Norman Read, who died in 1992 at age 100, made his fortune in the sciences of oil and natural gas in Texas and Alaska.~ Before he died, he created the trust as a means to enhance excellence in science education for all Salem residents.~Generations of his family were residents of Salem since colonial days.

OTHER FREE & LOW COST ACTIVITIES NEAR THE AQUARIUM – To build out a full, low cost day with kids in Boston beyond a free visit to the Aquarium, Salem residents might consider these other no or low cost entertainment options that are nearby. The Rose Kennedy Greenway in front of the Aquarium is now fully grown in, vibrant and exciting. Kids of all ages should wear their swim suits under their light summer clothing as they are welcome and encouraged to run through the unpredictable water jets of the Rings Fountain on the Greenway. Shrieks of excitement and laughter are guaranteed at no cost. Wander down the green path among the skyscrapers to see the widely acclaimed aerial sculpture that floats between the high rises. Hurry to see it as this ethereal, moving creation will come down in October before late autumn winds create havoc with it.
Stroll over to Quincy Market and check out their always amazing street performers. A bounty of cheap food options abound there, but if cash is really tight, pack a lunch and cross the Greenway to have a pleasant picnic on the wide lawns of Christopher Columbus Park overlooking sailboats tied up in the harbor. This park is truly one of Boston’s best kept secrets as it is tucked between the Long Wharf Marriott and the North End. The lawns are big enough for the kids to play with a ball or a Frisbee as adults get off their feet. Save your dessert for a gelato run as you explore Boston’s iconic Italian neighborhood.

TAKE THE SALEM FERRY - For a car-free adventure, Boston Harbor Cruises offers discounted tickets for Salem residents on the Fast Ferry that runs five crossings a day from Salem’s Blaney Street Pier into Boston’s Long Wharf North, adjacent to the Aquarium.          

Semi-Annual FREE Book Swap

GreenSalem.com is sponsoring another of their semi-annual book swaps at the Senior Center on Broad Street. (That is only 2 blocks from us) If you've never been to one, these swaps are busy and surprisingly fun.

The swap is September 19, 2015 from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
 
If you have a lot of items, they can be dropped off ahead of time on Friday, September 18th from 5-7 p.m and on Saturday, September 19th from 9:45 a.m.-12noon.

The book swap is a great way to recycle any of your unwanted books, greeting cards; and commercial CDs, DVDs and videos. Take home a whole new selection of items, cards and even some bestselling books. All books are accepted—even text books.
No swap is needed - you can donate materials, take materials, or both.

SalemRecycles is the City’s volunteer recycling committee which works to increase recycling and encourage positive recycling practices through educational outreach and special events. Through the last eleven Book Swaps, SalemRecycles has hosted over 4,200 participants; recycled an estimated 57,000 books, and avoided over 28 tons of landfill disposal.

For more information about SalemRecycles or the Book Swap, please call(978)-619-5679 or visit www.salem.com/recycling or GreenSalem.com. Like SalemRecycles on Facebook.
All left over materials will be donated or recycled.

54th Annual Salem Heritage Days Begins August 1st

Mayor Kimberley Driscoll today announced this year’s Heritage Days schedule of events which begin on Saturday, August 1st and continue through Sunday, August 9th. 

Mayor Driscoll stated, “Another week of fun filled activities are in store for this annual tradition.
I want to thank all the event managers that have worked so hard to bring almost forty different activities to choose from during Heritage Days this year.” 

Heritage Days kicks off this year with the 27th Annual Salem Maritime Festival at the Salem Maritime National Historic Site on Derby Wharf from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  The 27th Salem Maritime Festival will host an exciting array of free family fun festivities, including free harbor cruises, traditional craft demonstrations, and children's activities. Come cruise, sail, paddle, and row through four centuries of Salem maritime history. Explore the Friendship of Salem and visiting vessels.  It doesn’t stop there folks, there are also three different events happening at the Willows on Saturday.  Be entertained by the Bridgin G.A.P.S. concert with performances ranging from local and non-local recording artists, live bands, dance groups, poets and other performance beginning at noon and running until 6:00 p.m. The Firemen’s Muster takes place at 12:30 p.m. where crews will compete to throw the longest stream of water with an antique hand pumped fire engine.  Clown Day will be also be happening from 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. where clowns will be on hand all day to make balloon figures for your children, get their face painted and let them be entertained by a special performance at 2:30pm.

New this year is the City and the Salem Moose Family Center joining forces to combine Sunday’s August 2nd tour-a-truck event with Public Safety Day that usually happens in September.  Along with all of the kids’ big truck favorites, there will be some music and many new things to do and see.  The Ladies of the Moose will be donating 50 bike helmets to be fitted by the Salem Police Department (first come first serve).

Also new this year, something a bit different, Sail Salem will be hosting the 2015 Optimist New England Championship Sailing Regatta at Winter Island with over 400 young sailors from around the country. Although you may only catch a glimpse of the races from Waikiki Beach or the Willows Pier, the best view will be on spectator boats, so think about booking passage. (for rates and reservations go to Sea-Shuttle.com or www.MahiCruises.com. For more information about the Regatta go to www.sailsalem.org

Don’t worry, all your favorites are packed into the schedule:  Salem’s Best Pizza Contest, the Salem Community Concert Band; the Ice Scream Bowl; Kids Night on the Common, the Essex Street Fair and the 14th Annual Phillips House Antique Car Meet to name a few.

During Heritage Week there are also four activities just for Salem Seniors: an ice cream social; a barbecue; a wellness fair and a dinner dance.

For our residents, Salem is the perfect place for your STAY-CATION.  Spend a day being a tourist and take advantage of the generosity of our tourist related business community. Many are free to Salem residents all year long like the Peabody Essex Museum, the Salem Witch Museum, the Salem Trolley (June-September), and the House of the Seven Gables.  The Witch House will be free to Salem residents during Heritage week and Pioneer Village will be free to residents on Saturday August 1st. The Salem Ferry always has discounts for residents and during Heritage Days the Sea Shuttle, Mahi Mahi Cruises and the Schooner Fame are offering discounts for residents.

As part of the celebration, the City of Salem will double the merchant one-hour validation stamps at both garages, so spend a little bit longer enjoying downtown (some restrictions do apply).

CLICK HERE FOR SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

A Major New Initiative by the City of Salem

WHAT: Listening session on Age-Friendly Salem
WHEN: Tuesday, June 23, 2015
First Session: 2pm to 3:30pm
Second Session: 6pm to 7:30pm
WHERE: City Hall Annex, 120 Washington Street, 3rd Floor

"An Age-Friendly city helps people of all ages participate in community activities and treats everyone with respect--regardless of their age. An Age-Friendly city welcomes everyone and adapts its structures and services to be accessible to all including older people with varying needs and capacities. An Age-Friendly city encourages active aging by optimizing opportunities for good health and social interaction in order to add ‘Life to Years.’ This is a vital part of Salem’s future.” - Mayor Kimberley Driscoll

Click Here to Learn More

Salem Farmers Market 2015 Opens June 11!

When the opening bell rings at 3 p.m. on Thursday, June 11, the Salem Farmers’ Market will officially kick off its seventh season in its current format on Derby Square. With over 30 vendors, the market will be held at Derby Square on Front Street in Salem, MA every Thursday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. from June 11th through October 22nd, 2015.

Opening day will set the tone for the largely volunteer-run market that, over the next five months, gives residents and tourists alike the opportunity to buy farm-fresh produce, seafood, baked goods, meat, and a variety of other goods. Every week the market will offer demonstrations and live music.

“The market has truly become a destination for the community – it’s a gathering place as well as an opportunity to get fresh, local produce and other goods,"   Salem Main Streets Executive Director Kylie Sullivan said, adding that the 2014 market season brought an attendance of well over 35,000 market-goers. “With the great range of vendors that we have, there’s something for everyone at to our farmers’ market.” 

At the heart of the market are seven major farms who will attend this year: Clark Farm, Gibney Gardens, Maitland Mountain Farm, Grant Family Farm, Heavens Harvest Certified Organic Farm, Long Hill Orchard, and Wally's Vegetables. They are complemented by an array of specialty foods, bakery products, spices, and non-food vendors.

Exciting new additions to the market include Honey Pot Farm (honey and maple syrup), Swissbakers (baked goods), Just Herbals (herbal products), All Fruit (nuts and dried fruit mixes), and Grassy Roots (juice).
       
As in previous years the farmers market will continue to take EBT through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. 

The market is made possible through the leadership of Salem Main Streets and the Farmers’ Market Committee, as well as the generous contributions of numerous volunteers.  For more information please contact Salem Main Streets Executive Director Kylie Sullivan via email at kylie@salemmainstreets.org. To get the latest updates about the farmers’ market, visit our website at  www.salemfarmersmarket.org  or follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/SalemMAFarmersMarket) or on Twitter (@salemfarmersmarket).

2015 Memorial Day Events in Salem

Salem Veterans Council's Memorial Weekend Events

Sunday May 24

10:15- Wreath laying ceremony at the Veterans Section of St. Mary's cemetery off of North Street
10:45- Following wreath laying there will be a navel cannon salute to those lost at sea at Winter Island
11:45- Memorial Day Mass at St. John's on St. Peter Street
1:00- Collation at the Polish League of American Veterans (PLAV) club on Daniels Street. All are welcome to attend.

Memorial Day-Monday May 25

10:30- Parade departs from Commercial Street. Free troley ride for any veteran unable to march.

11:00- Memorial Day ceremony at Green Lawn cemetery. Guest speaker is USMC LtCol Michael Hunter.
12:30- Collation at the VFW, 95 Derby Street. All are welcome to attend. Call 978-745-0883 if there are ay questions.

Street Sweeping Schedule-MAY

Residential neighborhood street sweeping will take place May 4 through May 15.  Sweeping will take place on both sides of the street on the same day. Each neighborhood route will be posted with temporary ‘No Parking/Tow Zone’ signs and parking will be prohibited between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Neighborhood streets are broken down into two zones. Streets in Zone One will be swept during the week of Monday May 4 through Friday May 8. Zone Two streets will be swept the week of Monday May 11 through Friday May 15. Sweep days are usually the next day after the regularly scheduled trash day. To find a specific street sweeping date, locate what zone your street is in on the 2015 Residential Street Sweeping Schedule, and match it with the calendar. Monday sweep schedules are for the preceding Friday's trash day.

Resident cooperation is vital to the success of this program. In order for the sweepers to do the best job possible, residents are asked not to park their cars on the street during their designated sweeping day.

Residents will be able to use entrance corridor streets as alternative parking areas on the day of their neighborhood sweep. Entrance corridor streets are Boston St., Bridge St., Essex St. (from Boston St. to North/Summer St.), Lafayette St. (from Dow St. to Marblehead line), Loring Ave., and North St. Once a neighborhood street is swept, residents will be able to move their vehicles back onto their street.  Please remember that you must adhere to all current parking restrictions on these entrance corridors. All existing parking regulations on entrance corridors must be adhered to or your vehicle will be ticketed and/or towed. This includes resident only restrictions.

Certain weather conditions prohibit the use of the street sweepers: during moderate to heavy rainfall and extreme cold temperatures sweepers will not be able to operate. Weather cancellations will be posted on www.salem.com.


CLICK HERE FOR BLACK & WHITE ZONE CALENDAR
CLICK HERE FOR COLOR CODED CALENDAR

Spring Street Sweeping Schedule

Mayor Kimberley Driscoll today announced that Spring street sweeping will begin on Thursday, April 16 and run through May 15.

Residents should plan to move cars from streets on designated days from May 4 through May 15

Entrance corridor sweeping will take place between 5:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. on the following dates. New this year, City workers will be utilizing blowers to clear corridor sidewalks of debris prior to the street sweeping.

Thursday, April 16: Odd side of Boston Street, Essex Street (Boston to North), and Bridge Street (Washington to Boston).
Friday, April 17: Even side of Boston Street, Essex Street (Boston to North), and Bridge Street (Washington to Boston).
Tuesday, April 21: Odd side of North Street and Lafayette Street (Ocean Ave to Marblehead line).
Wednesday, April 22: Even side of North Street and Lafayette Street (Ocean Ave to Marblehead line).
Thursday, April 23: Odd side of Loring Avenue and Lafayette Street (Derby to Ocean Ave).
Friday, April 24: Even side of Loring Avenue and Lafayette Street (Derby to Ocean Ave).
Tuesday, April 27: Bridge Street (Washington to the Salem/Beverly bridge).
Wednesday, April 28: Bridge Street (Washington to the Salem/Beverly bridge).

Residential neighborhood street sweeping will take place on both sides of the street on the same day. Each neighborhood route will be posted with temporary ‘No Parking/Tow Zone’ signs and parking will be prohibited between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Resident cooperation is vital to the success of this program. In order for the sweepers to do the best job possible, residents are asked not to park their cars on the street during their designated sweeping day.

Neighborhood streets are broken down into two zones. Streets in Zone One will be swept during the week of Monday May 4 through Friday May 8. Zone Two streets will be swept the week of Monday May 11 through Friday May 15. Sweep days are usually the next day after the regularly scheduled trash day. To find a specific street sweeping date, locate what zone your street is in on the 2015 Residential Street Sweeping Schedule, and match it with the calendar. Monday sweep schedules are for the preceding Friday's trash day.

Residents will be able to use entrance corridor streets (Boston St., Bridge St., Essex St. [from Boston St. to North/Summer Street], Lafayette St. [from Dow St. to Marblehead line], Loring Ave., and North St.) as alternative parking areas on the day of their neighborhood sweep. Once a neighborhood street is swept, residents will be able to move their vehicles back onto their street.  Please remember that you must adhere to all current parking restrictions on these entrance corridors. All existing parking regulations on entrance corridors must be adhered to or your vehicle will be ticketed and/or towed. This includes resident only restrictions.

Certain weather conditions prohibit the use of the street sweepers: during moderate to heavy rainfall and extreme cold temperatures sweepers will not be able to operate. Weather cancellations will be posted on www.salem.com

CLICK HERE FOR 2015 STREET SWEEPING SCHEDULE

New Salem Police Chief

SALEM, MA – Acting Chief Mary Butler will be sworn in as Salem’s new Chief of Police in a formal ceremony at Salem’s historic Old Town Hall, 32 Derby Square, on April 9th at 10:00 a.m. The event will be free and open to the public.

 Following brief remarks from City officials, including former Chief of Police Robert St. Pierre, former Chief of Police and current State Representative Paul Tucker, and Mayor Kimberley Driscoll, Chief Butler will take the oath of office and offer remarks.

Chief Butler was promoted from Lieutenant to Acting Captain in the Salem Police Department in 2014. In that capacity she was commanding officer of the department's special operations division, with oversight of the community impact unit, special response unit, traffic division, and records office. She has served with the Salem Police Department since 1987, where she has overseen patrol division and the community impact unit as a Lieutenant, served as public information officer and detective, and worked as administrative aide to former Chief St. Pierre. She has served as Acting Chief of the department since her appointment by Mayor Driscoll was announced in early March.

Two great recycling opportunities!

Two great recycling opportunities on 
Saturday, March 28, 2015

Free Book Swap
10am-1pm
at Council on Aging
5 Broad Street!

Just in time for Spring Cleaning - SalemRecycles is holding another free book and media swap on Saturday, March 28, 2015 from 10 AM - 1 PM at the Senior Center, 5 Broad Street, Salem. All~books will be accepted. Everything that doesn’t find a new home will be donated or recycled.

Materials can be dropped off in advance on Friday, March 27 from 5:00-7:00 PM or bring them with you on Saturday (before noon). Volunteers will be available to help unload.

Everyone is invited to take books, etc.—no “swap” needed.

E-Waste Recycling
8am-noon
at Salem High School
77 Willson Street!

The City has contracted with RMG Enterprises to recycle residential e-waste.  RMG will accept anything with a plug-most items are free.  There will be a $10/unit fee for TVs, Computers, Monitors, Laptops, and Large Appliances (Refrigerators, A/C and Freezers).

This event is for Salem residents only, ID required.

For more information on either event contact Julie Rose at jrose@salem.com or 978-619-5679.
.

13th Annual Salem's So Sweet Chocolate & Ice Sculpture Festival

February 6 - 15, 2015
Is living in a polar vortex getting you down? Is cabin fever making you cranky and unpleasant? Not sure what to do with your significant other on Valentine's Day?
Well help is on the way with the 13th Annual Salem's So Sweet Chocolate & Ice Sculpture Festival! A week-long festival of food, wine, chocolate and winter-time fun!

Salem's So Sweet Chocolate & Ice Sculpture Festival officially kicks off with a Chocolate and Wine Tasting, on Friday, February 6 from 6:30 - 8:30 pm, at Colonial Hall, 227 Essex Street. This luscious tasting event features wine and chocolate samplings from premier Salem restaurants, stores and sweet shops. To reserve your tickets please click here.

In celebration of the chocolate weekend, many of Salem's finest restaurants will feature special chocolate offerings on their menus, including deserts, cocktails, and inventive sauces. Participating Salem retailers will also take part with in-store events and promotions, displays and items geared toward chocolate and Valentine's Day. For more information about Salem's So Sweet please visit www.salemmainstreets.org/festivals/salem-so-sweet/. 

There will be more than 15 large ice sculptures around downtown Salem, with themes including a a mermaid, ruby slippers, a film projector, and many more! A map of sculptures and locations will be available below and on brochures distributed around town closer to the festival. The Salem Trolley will be offering trolley rides around the festival route weather permitting on Feb. 7 and 8 from 12 pm to 4 pm for $2 a person.  Pick-up locations will be at the Visitors Center, Pickering Wharf, and near Rockafellas on Washington Street.


HAVE FUN!