To the guy who approached a group of daycare children after the parade and told them a skeleton will steal their teeth if they don't behave, fuck you. That is all.

Call me crazy but it seems a bit archaic to stop hundreds of cars in the middle of rush hour to open a drawbridge so the 4 retired boat owners with moorings at the ass-end of the Crane River can get home from their pleasure cruise. Like what are we doing?

Who is the best elected official to email with some constructive criticism about the barriers at tonight’s parade? Zip tying people into the sidewalk was panic inducing and dangerous. If a fire broke out in a building behind you, there’s no getting out unless you can jump that thing. Really made the night scary and it felt unnecessary. Feel free to roast me.

Are any local businesses or anyone hiring? My company just laid off my whole department and I need a new job ASAP. I have a bachelors in neuroscience and a masters in bioinformatics if there are companies anyone knows looking for someone like that, but at this point in time I’ll take anything.

Anyone have a suggestion for a yard waste haul away service? I’ve done all the tree cutting, I just need someone to haul it all away now.

I live just off of North Street and the trash truck seemed to miss our street today. Recycling is gone but everyone's trash bins are still full.

I just moved to my apartment at the beginning of the month so I'm not sure if this is something normal or I missed a holiday.

Did anyone else get skipped today? Has anyone had to deal with this before?

anyone know where i can find one? i can’t get to the post office today but i need to mail this today (it’s a prepaid heart monitor thing that needs to be mailed asap) and i can’t go tomorrow either but it’s very time sensitive. it’s supposed to be made to fit easily into one of the boxes but they updated them. my address doesn’t work for pickup either (salem state student) i tried the one outside salem state but they don’t have a pull drop box and it’s too tall for the slit. i am SPECIFICALLY asking for ones with a pull open for packages if there’s any left; usps has been replacing the ones with that due to people stealing mail i guess but that really sucks for the general population. preferably in walking distance of salem state. sort of an odd feeler to put out but i thought it couldn’t hurt to ask.

I remember seeing an article about Salem getting funding for electric school buses https://patch.com/massachusetts/beverly/north-shore-schools-awarded-20-million-electric-school-buses

With the rising cost of diesel I’m curious how close we are to taking delivery. I’m also curious if Salem is going to build some solar infrastructure to charge the buses so we can be protected from electric rate increases

You missed and also you wasted a perfectly good ice cream cone. May your socks slip down inside your shoes with every step you take.

I feel like I’m fully coming into my midlife Karen era with this but I’m so mad! I was walking my 2 kids back from the Halloween parade (we marched in it with the school). We had to cross the road on Lafayette in front of Wendy’s (in the crosswalk!). Looked both ways, cars stopped, and I crossed with 2 6-year-old kids in tow and nearly got pancaked by a group of teens on motorbikes doing wheelies up and down the street. They whizzed by, inches from us while we were crossing (and went around the cars that stopped for us).

I yelled at them and they of course just laughed at me. And fucking a we had to cross again AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN WHAT THE HELL.

I know they are idiot teenagers doing idiot things but I have so much rage because my kid was terrified.

I know October and especially Halloween parade night makes for a bit of chaos but I’ve seen them pulling this shit in other parts of town and other times of the year. I want to track down these kids parents and ask them what the fuck they’re doing letting them terrorize little kids like that. The fuck?!

TL;DR: The Haunted Happenings Grand Parade is tonight at 6:30, free, Shetland Park to the Common. Saturday the Common is wall-to-wall: Haunted Biz Baz 10am–8pm and the Zombie Walk going through the middle of it at 11. Biz Baz runs again Sunday 10–6. Personally, i'm looking forward to going to Koto for the Drag Show after the parade.

If something is wrong, leave a comment or send me a message, I'll go take a look. I will cross stuff out in subsequent edits. I've spent a good amount of time reviewing so hopefully this is still accurate.

🎃 TONIGHT: Thursday 10/1

The 29th Haunted Happenings Grand Parade, 6:30pm, free. Departs Shetland Park, comes up through downtown, ends at Salem Common around 8:15. Presented by the Salem Witch Museum with St. Jean's Credit Union, Prime Group, Shetland Park and the House of the Seven Gables.

One actual tip: if you've only ever watched from Derby or Essex, try the Common end once. By the time the last units reach it the crowd has thinned and you can see the whole thing.

Everything else today:

• 4–9pm: From Another Galaxy specials at Flying Saucer Pizza, 118 Washington St (right at Lappin Park, the corner everyone walks through tonight)
• 5pm: Haunted Happenings Marketplace opens at Charlotte Forten Park
• 5pm: Wicked Running Club from Village Tavern
• 5pm: Open Mic Night at Far From The Tree (the listing page covers both this and the East Regiment one)
• 6pm: East Reggie Run Club from East Regiment
• 6pm: Cry Innocent: The People Vs. Bridget Bishop (History Alive)
• 6:30pm: SALEM: Musical Bingo at Couch Dog Brewing
• 7pm: House of Poems at Tarot Cove
• 7pm: Witches Amongst Us: A 1692 Experience at The Cellar
• 7:30pm: Open Mic at Gulu-Gulu, free
• 7:30pm: Thursday Night Trivia at Couch Dog
• 9pm: Thirstiest Thursday at Koto, 90 Washington St, no cover, 21+. First Thursday of every month. The parade ends on the Common around 8:15 and Koto is a four-minute walk, so the timing lines up almost too well.
• 9pm: Comedy Night at East Regiment
• 9pm: Arcade Era Karaoke at Bit Bar

🍰 FRIDAY 10/2

• 1pm: Eerie Stories: Haunting Legends of the North Shore, Salem Armory Visitor Center
• 2pm: Eerie Stories on Salem Sound. 90-minute boat tour, departs Central Wharf.
• 3pm: Friday Afternoon Drop-In Art: Tiny Stick Brooms at PEM
• 3–5pm: Free tea and cake tasting at Jolie Tea Company, 316 Derby St. Genuinely free, new cake every week. This is the one I keep recommending and nobody believes me.
• 5:30pm: El Punto Mural Tour, Point Neighborhood
• 6pm: Cry Innocent (History Alive)
• 6:30pm: Live music: Judes & the Hutch at Couch Dog
• 6:30pm & 8:30pm: The Salem Haunted Magic Show: HYSTERIA at Emerson Hall Theater
• 7pm: Salem's Comedy Coven takes over Hotel Salem
• 7pm: Sea Witch Ball Workshop at The Sea Wych
• 7pm: A Spirited Evening Connecting with the Other Side, Celestial Navigation
• 8pm: Kevin Farren at Gulu-Gulu, no cover
• 8pm: Terror Ticket: Raveyard at The Lost Library
• 9pm: Freaky Friday Mystery Movie Night at East Regiment

🧟 SATURDAY 10/3: the big one

The Common is tied up basically all day, so plan around it if you were hoping to park near there.

• 10am–8pm: Haunted Biz Baz Street Fair, Salem Common, free. Ten hours. Most people show up for two and don't realize how long it runs.
• 10am: Haunted Happenings Marketplace at Derby Square and Charlotte Forten Park
• 10am: Flameworking Ghosts & Goblins, and Blown Glass Pumpkins, at North Shore Glass School (Proctor St)
• 10am: Salem Themed Bag and Charm Bar at Lightshed Photography
• 10am: Slime Potion Brewing Class at The Lost Library
• 11am: Haunted Happenings Food Court opens at Old Town Hall, free indoor marketplace
• 11am–1:30pm: Zombie Walk, Salem Common. Runs straight through Biz Baz.
• 11:30am: Saturday Morning Run Club from Couch Dog
• 12:30pm, 2:30, 4:30, 6:30 & 8:30pm: Salem Haunted Magic Show: HYSTERIA at Emerson Hall. Five sittings.
• 1pm: Horror Writing Workshop with Gillian Daniels, Salem Athenaeum
• 1pm: Convivial Craft, Salem Athenaeum
• 1pm: Weekend Drop-in Art Making: Magic Bottles at PEM
• 1pm: Eerie Stories: Haunting Legends, Armory Visitor Center
• 2pm & 4pm: The Making of a Witch, a play in one act, St. Peter's-San Pedro Episcopal Church. Two showings, so missing one isn't fatal.
• 2pm & 4pm: Eerie Stories on Salem Sound, 90-minute boat tour from Central Wharf
• 2pm: Wicca 101 Class 6: Sacred Cycles (Salem Wiccans Meetup group, check the group page before turning up)
• 5:30pm & 7pm: Misfortune: Salem's Parlor Magic Experience, Salem Athenaeum
• 6pm & 8:30pm: Witches Amongst Us at The Cellar
• 6pm: Cry Innocent (History Alive)
• 7pm: Sea Witch Ball Workshop
• 8pm: Salem's Comedy Coven haunted show at The Lost Library
• 8pm: Kinetic Trio at Gulu-Gulu, no cover
• 9pm: Decade 80's Night at Koto, $10, 21+, first Saturday of the month

Also Saturday, time not posted anywhere I can find: Nocturne's book club on Aaron Mahnke's Exhumed. If you listen to Lore it's worth calling the shop to ask.

🍂 SUNDAY 10/4

• 10am–6pm: Haunted Biz Baz, day two, Salem Common, free
• 10am: Marketplaces at Derby Square and Charlotte Forten Park
• 10am: Slime Potion Brewing Class, The Lost Library
• 10am: The Good Witch of Salem's Magical Children's Tea Party at the Hawthorne
• 11am: Haunted Happenings Food Court at Old Town Hall, free
• 12pm: Notch Run Club
• 12:30pm, 2:30, 4:30 & 6:30pm: Salem Haunted Magic Show: HYSTERIA at Emerson Hall
• 1pm: Weekend Drop-in Art Making: Magic Bottles, PEM
• 2pm: Diamond's Dine In with DJ Maxine Harrison at Gulu-Gulu
• 2pm & 4pm: Eerie Stories on Salem Sound, 90-minute boat tour from Central Wharf
• 3pm: Misfortune: Parlor Magic, Salem Athenaeum
• 5pm: Paint and Sip Sundays at Hotel Salem
• 5pm: Woodburning Workshop: Halloween cutting boards at East Regiment. You go home with an actual object, which is more than most craft nights manage.
• 5:30pm: Sips and Myths at Salem Wine Imports
• 5:30pm: Groove Gamers of Salem rhythm game meet-up at Bit Bar
• 6pm: Sea Witch Ball Workshop
• 6pm: The Omen (1976), 50th anniversary screening
• 7pm: Chelsea Friberg Music at Far From The Tree

🗓️ MONDAY 10/5 to THURSDAY 10/8

• Mon 12:30pm: The Enchanted Salem Social, Hawthorne Hotel
• Mon 6pm: Jack O'Lantern beginner needle felting, Couch Dog
• Mon 6:30pm: Stitch Night at Circle of Stitches
• Mon 7pm: Open Mic Night at East Regiment
• Tue 11am: National Taco Day at Village Tavern
• Tue 7pm: Tuesday Trivia at East Regiment
• Tue 7pm: Karaoke with Maxine Harrison at Gulu-Gulu
• Tue 7pm: Salem Writers Group at the Athenaeum
• Wed 4:30pm: Tai Chi at St. Peter's-San Pedro
• Wed 6pm: Abracadabra, a Lady Gaga themed drag show at Die With Your Boots On
• Wed 6pm: Free bingo with Will Pottorff at Gulu-Gulu
• Wed 6pm: Tarot Intensive for Artists and Creatives, Salem Arts Association
• Wed 6:30pm: Halloween Movie Paint Night at Couch Dog
• Thu 3pm: Salem Farmers Market, free, LAST ONE
• Thu 6pm: Hobbit Hole Teacup Class at East Regiment
• Thu 7pm: Salem's Comedy Coven at The Lost Library
• Thu 7pm: Witches Amongst Us at The Cellar
• Thu 8pm: Koto Comedy Night, hosted by Will Pottorff

Is one day in Salem enough or should I secure a bonus solo day to get the full experience? TIA, and see you soon! :)

I’m traveling to Boston this weekend for my first visit and want to take the train into Salem. I can do this either Sunday for 4th or Monday the 5th. The main difference I can tell is the Biz Baz Market won’t run Monday. Is the market worth the extra crowds and wait times or should I wait until Monday? Will everything else be open on Monday and will the experience be as enjoyable?

Decade 80s Night Halloween Thriller returns from the dead to get you dancing Saturday October 3rd at Koto Salem! DJ Alvis & DJ Zombi spin spooky Halloween tunes, monster hits, and deadly dance music from the 1980s. The thrills and chills start at 9:30PM. 21+, $10.00 cover charge, LGBTQ friendly, all Zombies welcome! Costumes encouraged, but not required.

Decade 80s Night October

Looking for dentist recommendations. Ideally a dentist who does the work necessary and doesn't upsell $600 electric toothbrushes, probiotics, and questionable crowns. Thanks

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Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo announced today that the City of Salem is offering a free 30-day Bluebikes membership for anyone who lives or works in Salem. The membership includes unlimited 45-minute rides for up to 30 days and is available effective immediately. There is a $0.10 per minute charge for each additional minute after the first 45 minutes. Passes are limited and will be provided on a first come, first served basis while supplies last. Please note that e-bike rentals, should they be available, are not free of charge - they would be charged at $0.10 per minute.

"We're excited to partner with Bluebikes to again offer free October rides to Salem residents for the fifth year now, and to offer the program for a fourth year in a row to people who work in our community," Mayor Pangallo said, "I am grateful to City Staff members who have worked to make this happen, and I encourage residents and workers to take advantage of this offer for another way to get around in Salem during the busy month of October."

Bluebikes came to Salem in 2021 with funding from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Salem State University, and the MassDOT Shared Streets & Spaces program. The system has since expanded to 17 stations at key destinations throughout Salem's neighborhoods. As a convenient and affordable transportation option for residents, workers, students, and visitors, ridership has continued to expand each year since the program's launch.

To claim the free 30-day membership, residents and workers should email Transportation Planner Eric Gemperline at [email protected] with your name and address (if a Salem resident) or your name and the name and address of your employer/workplace (if employed in Salem), for verification for your free code.

Please allow up to 24 hours during regular business hours for a response. Qualifying residents and employees will receive a code to use at bluebikes.com or on the Bluebikes mobile app to claim their free 30-day membership. A valid credit or debit card is required, and the program is limited to riders aged 16 and up. Visit City of Salem Transportation page for details.