Salem Opens Forest River Pool, Cooling Centers as Heat Wave Arrives
DATELINE — SALEM
The city is opening Forest River Pool and activating cooling centers just in time for a dangerous heat wave forecast to grip Salem through the Fourth of July weekend, making this a critical week for residents to know where to find relief.
TOWN HALL
Salem kicked off its 5th season at Forest River Pool on June 30, the city announced — a timely debut given extreme heat expected through at least July 3. The city has also announced cooling center hours for those who need air-conditioned refuge; residents should check the city's official News Flash at salemma.gov for specific locations and hours.
The city also officially retired its old CodeRED emergency alert system, replacing it with a new platform called Regroup. The new system will handle critical emergency alerts, road closures, water notifications, and other important city messages. Residents who previously enrolled in CodeRED should re-register through the new system to ensure they continue receiving alerts.
On a more festive note, the city is inviting residents to vote in the "Ladies of Salem" figurehead competition. The six top vote-getters will appear on the Beautification Committee's float in the Salem 400+ Heritage Days Parade on August 1. Voting is open through July 12 at salemma.gov.
Also closing today: registration for the Salem 400+ Heritage Days Parade. The deadline — extended due to strong interest — is 4 p.m. on June 30, and organizers say spots are nearly full.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
The Salem Public Library feed retrieved for this cycle was from Salem Public Library in Salem, Ohio, and contained no programming applicable to Salem, Massachusetts. No local library items are available for this edition.
Friends of Forten Park and Salem 400+ are hosting a free World Cup Watch Party at Charlotte Forten Park on Wednesday, July 1 at 7:30 p.m. Attendees can watch the USA vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina match with neighbors and friends — bring your own snacks and seating. Attendance is free but sign-up is required; check salemma.gov for registration details.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
"Salem To Open Cooling Centers, 'Soak The Kids' Amid Dangerous Heat Wave" — The city is making several cooling options available from July 1 through July 3, including a fire department "soak the kids" event, as temperatures reach dangerous levels, per Salem Patch. (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/salem)
"Salem Opens Forest River Pool Ahead Of Dangerous Heat Wave" — The pool is now accepting season passes and daily passes, with pre-registration required for July 4, Salem Patch reports — a story the city's News Flash also covered today. (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/salem)
"Salem Invites Public To Pick 'Ladies of Salem' For Heritage Days Parade Float" — Ranked-choice voting runs through July 12 to select six figureheads for the Beautification Committee float, per Salem Patch — also covered by the city's News Flash today. (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/salem)
"Salem Backpack Drive Reaches Nearly 400 Unhoused Neighbors" — Volunteers helped Lifebridge North Shore distribute backpacks and essential supplies to nearly 400 residents as housing-crisis demand climbed, according to Salem Patch. (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/salem)
"Salem's Bakers Island Fresnel Lens Returns Home 100 Years After Installation" — A historic 1903 Fresnel lens is now on public display at Bakers Island Light Station after spending decades stored in Maine, Salem Patch reports. (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/salem)
"Salem Celebrates The 4th At Derby Wharf To Include Fireworks, Music, Bike Parade" — This year's Independence Day celebration will feature enhanced security alongside the traditional fireworks and music, per Salem Patch. (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/salem)
COMING UP
- **Wednesday, July 1, 7:30 p.m.** — World Cup Watch Party (USA vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina), Charlotte Forten Park; free, sign-up required - **Saturday, July 4** — Salem Celebrates the 4th at Derby Wharf; fireworks, music, and bike parade; enhanced security in effect; Forest River Pool requires pre-registration for July 4 entry - **Sunday, July 12** — Salem 400+ Family Field Day, Forest River Park; free, family event - **Sunday, July 12** — "Ladies of Salem" figurehead voting closes; top six featured on Heritage Days Parade float August 1 - **Saturday, August 1** — Salem 400+ Heritage Days Parade, featuring Beautification Committee float with winning "Ladies of Salem" figureheads