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SALEM – The Salem Chamber of Commerce stages its 29th annual Haunted Happenings Grand Parade on Thursday, Oct. 1 — and Marblehead residents thinking of heading in will want to plan around road closures, barrier gaps and a single crossing point.
The parade steps off from Shetland Park at 6:30 p.m., weaves through downtown Salem to Salem Common and wraps up around 8 p.m. Presenting sponsors are Prime Group Shetland Park, The House of the Seven Gables, the Salem Witch Museum and St. Jean's Credit Union.
Old-school theme marks Salem400+ year
This year's theme is "Old-School Halloween," a look back at the holiday's evolution from the ancient traditions of Samhain to classic trick-or-treating, homemade costumes and the nostalgia of '90s Halloween movies. It lands in a milestone year, with Salem in the midst of its 400+ anniversary celebration.
The evening runs on student power. Thousands of Salem students from kindergarten through college march alongside local businesses and nonprofits, and the Chamber credits their enthusiasm for making the parade a cherished local favorite.
Closures, barriers and one crossing
Anyone driving in should plan around the shutdowns. Salem Police begin road closures around 4 p.m., and pedestrian safety barriers will line both sides of the route. Spectators must stay behind the barriers for their own safety and that of the marchers.
Gaps in the barriers stay open for crossing until 6:15 p.m. After that, a single crossing point at Front Street and Washington Street remains open for the duration of the parade. The Chamber's route map marks the 6:15 closures in red; the Front and Washington crossing is flagged in yellow as the one that stays open all night. Volunteers will staff the route. Questions go to Jeff Swartz, executive director of the Salem Chamber of Commerce, at 978-744-0004.
Backed by local sponsors
Banner sponsors are Atlantic Toyota, Coffee Time Bake Shop, Desjardin Insurance Agency, Eastern Bank, Haunted Warren Museum, the Peabody Essex Museum, Rockland Trust, Salem State University, Witch City Walking Tours and The Hive Workspace and Business Center.
For anyone weighing the Thursday-night trip in from Marblehead, the practical advice is simple: arrive before 6:15, pick a side of the route and stay there. The parade reaches Salem Common around 8 p.m., leaving enough night to get home before the school-night clock runs out.
