Heavy Rain Cancels Salem Ferry Service Ahead of Heritage Days Weekend
SALEM — Heavy rain and thunderstorms knocked out Salem Ferry service for at least two days this week, disrupting travel just as the city gears up for the Salem 400+ Heritage Days Parade and Festival this Saturday.
TOWN HALL
The City of Salem is preparing for a packed final stretch of summer, with the Salem 400+ Heritage Days Parade and Festival set for Saturday, August 1, followed by a full nine-day run of events through August 9. Ahead of the parade, the Pride of Baltimore II tall ship will arrive for a public welcome and a Seaside Soirée fundraiser on July 31, benefiting Salem 400+ and Heritage Days programming.
Elsewhere at City Hall, officials confirmed the Salem Police Department's contract with Flock Safety will not be renewed, and the automatic license plate readers currently installed around the city will be removed. The city is also seeking three residents to serve on a newly formed Taxpayer Relief Committee, created under state law to oversee the city's new Taxpayer Aid Fund. Separately, the annual "Feeling Fresh" hygiene product drive has returned, with donations of new, unopened personal care items accepted through August 12 to support local students.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
Essex National Heritage Area formally launched the 25th season of its Trails & Sails program at Armory Park this week, with support from Lieutenant Governor's office representatives on hand. The free regional series runs September 12-27 with more than 200 activities planned across Essex County, per Salem Patch.
Salem State University will also host two free concerts open to the public in August, including an outdoor performance by the Salem Community Band, according to Salem Patch. City-run beautification efforts continue as well, with residents still able to weigh in on "Ladies of Salem" figurehead voting tied to the Heritage Days parade float.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
"Heavy Rain Cancels Salem Ferry Service For Up To 2 Days" — Salem Patch reports that officials canceled ferry service Wednesday because of heavy rain, with disruptions expected to continue into Thursday (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/salem/heavy-rain-cancels-salem-ferry-service-2-days).
"Salem Spot Ranked Among Massachusetts' Best Urban Sunset Views: Survey" — A new survey named Salem Willows among the state's top free public sunset spots, alongside locations in Boston and Cambridge, according to Salem Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/salem/salem-spot-ranked-among-massachusetts-best-urban-sunset-views-survey).
"Salem State Sets 2 Free August Concerts Open To Public" — Salem State University will offer two free community concerts in August, including outdoor and indoor performances on August 3 and August 16 with free parking, per Salem Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/salem/salem-state-sets-2-free-august-concerts-open-public).
"Salem's Paul Pinto Named To Executive Position At Ocean State Job Lot" — A Salem resident has been named head of people at the retail chain, leading human resources and people strategy company-wide, according to Salem Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/salem/salems-paul-pinto-named-executive-position-ocean-state-job-lot).
"Salem Launches Essex Heritage's 25th Trails & Sails Season" — Essex National Heritage Area kicked off its 25th annual Trails & Sails season this week, with the free event series set to run in September, per Salem Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/salem/salem-launches-essex-heritages-25th-trails-sails-season).
COMING UP
The Seaside Soirée fundraiser aboard the Pride of Baltimore II is set for Friday, July 31, kicking off Salem 400+ Heritage Days. The Salem 400+ Heritage Days Parade and Festival takes place Saturday, August 1, with events continuing through August 9. The "Feeling Fresh" hygiene product drive accepts donations through August 12.
Compiled from official town feeds, community organizations, and local press. Outside reporting is attributed inline.