Salem to hold first Disability Pride flag raising Thursday
SALEM — The City of Salem will host its first annual Disability Pride Month Flag Raising Ceremony on Thursday, a milestone event drawing attention alongside continued Salem 400+ celebrations and preparations for the Heritage Days Parade.
TOWN HALL
The City of Salem announced it will hold its first annual Disability Pride Month Flag Raising Ceremony on Thursday, July 9, at 4 p.m. at Salem City Hall, 93 Washington Street, in the City Council Chambers on the second floor. The event marks Salem's first observance of Disability Pride Month with a formal flag raising and is being framed by the city as a statement of inclusion and commitment to residents with disabilities.
The occasion comes amid a busy summer civic calendar for Salem, including the ongoing Salem 400+ anniversary celebrations. The city has also been finalizing plans for the Salem 400+ Heritage Days Parade, set for August 1, with registration for participating groups previously extended due to strong community interest. A related Family Field Day at Forest River Park is scheduled for July 12.
Residents are also being reminded that voting continues for the Beautification Committee's "Ladies of Salem" figureheads, with balloting closing July 12; the top six vote-getters will be featured on a float in the August 1 parade.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
Salem's summer arts and civic events continue to draw residents outdoors as the city marks its 400th-plus anniversary year. The Disability Pride flag raising Thursday adds to a series of public gatherings this summer, including past Charlotte Forten Park watch parties and the Living Green Expo held at Old Town Hall.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
"🌱 Patch AM: How Salem will celebrate its first-ever Disability Pride flag raising" — Patch's morning roundup previewed Thursday's ceremony alongside a mention of an upcoming Crushville Presents Stevie Wonder vs. Earth Wind & Fire show, according to Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/salem).
"Salem Teacher Lori Marenda-Lang Named To MA Heroine Class of 2026" — A Salem High School educator was nominated for a statewide honor by a state representative, according to Patch, which credited state Rep. Manny Cruz with putting her name forward (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/salem).
"Salem Sets July 4 Fireworks, Road Closures, Security Plan At Derby Wharf" — Salem's Fourth of July celebration returned to Derby Wharf with fireworks, traffic restrictions and increased police presence, Patch reported (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/salem).
"Here's How Many Beaches Are Closed To Swimming In MA" — Some regional beaches reopened after a ruptured sewer line caused closures last month, according to Patch's statewide coverage (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/salem).
COMING UP
The Disability Pride Month Flag Raising Ceremony takes place Thursday, July 9, at 4 p.m. at Salem City Hall. Voting for the Beautification Committee's "Ladies of Salem" figureheads closes July 12, the same day as the Salem 400+ Family Field Day at Forest River Park. Crushville Presents: Stevie Wonder VS Earth Wind & Fire is scheduled for July 9, and Greg Hawkes and Eddie Japan Performing the Music of The Cars is set for July 10, per the Salem Patch calendar.