SALEM — The city’s milestone quadricentennial celebration will be in full force this weekend with the return of the Salem Heritage Days Parade and Festival, and the arrival of the tall ship Pride of Baltimore II in Salem Harbor.
On Friday, at 1 p.m., the public is invited to gather at Central Wharf (160 Derby St.) to welcome the historic tall ship Pride of Baltimore II as she arrives in Salem. Mini-Salem 400+ flags will be available as mementoes to celebrate the ship’s approach. The mayor and other dignitaries will be on hand to welcome the crew to Salem.
Later that evening, Salem 400+ will host the Seaside Soirée, a ticketed cocktail fundraiser held aboard the Pride of Baltimore II. Guests aboard this event will be provided with gourmet hors d’oeuvres by Ferreira Foods, two complimentary signature cocktails for the event, and a cash bar.
Built and launched in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor in 1988, Pride II is a reproduction of the sharp-built Baltimore Clippers of the late 18th and early 19th centuries that gained fame as privateers during the War of 1812. Tickets are on sale now at salem-chamber.chambermaster.com/…/register/26518.
The celebration continues on Saturday, with the Salem Heritage Days Parade, which returns after more than 30 years due to “overwhelming feedback” from the community. The parade, presented by the city and Salem Maritime National Historical Park, aims to bring the city’s over 400 year history to life under the theme “Salem Through the Centuries.” Over 60 community groups, local businesses, and civic organizations are slated to take part in the parade with floats designed to portray creative interpretations of the various time periods that encapsulate Salem.
Participants will assemble at the Salem State University O’Keefe Sports Complex, 225 Canal St., before the parade route concludes at Salem Maritime National Historical Park’s Derby Wharf. The event is free and open to the public.
“This weekend captures everything Salem 400+ is about — honoring our history while bringing the present community together to celebrate their beloved town,” Salem 400+ coordinator Virginia Cherol said. “We have been planning this weekend for years, and it is going to be something really special.”
At the parade’s end, at Salem Maritime National Historical Park, the Salem Heritage Days Festival will begin at 11 a.m. to celebrate Salem’s 400+ and America’s 250th. The community will have the opportunity to board the Pride of Baltimore II, witness over 20 historical demonstrators, visit food trucks, and more. At 1 p.m., the community will gather to watch the fourth Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta, where cardboard boats will sink or swim in Salem Harbor.
On Sunday, the fourth annual Fusion Fest will kick off at the House of the Seven Gables, celebrating the variety of cultures in Salem and how they have contributed to the growth of the city. The event will include live music, food trucks, dancing, art, dominoes and kids’ activities. The free event will run from noon to 5 p.m.
On Monday, Aug. 3, the Salem Community Concert Band and Community Jazz Band, under the direction of Cynthia Napierkowski, will perform its 17th annual concert, which will take place at Salem State University (71 Loring Ave.) from 7-9 p.m. Depending on the weather, the concert will happen either outside, near the Marsh Dining Hall, or indoors in the recital hall.
On Tuesday, Aug. 4, the North Shore Concert Band, led by conductor David Benjamin and a full 34-piece concert band made up of local musicians, will perform at the Salem Willows Shell. The free outdoor concert will take place at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, with a rain date of Thursday, Aug. 6, also at 7 p.m.
On Wednesday, Aug. 5, at 6 p.m., residents are invited to Salem Common for the Ice Scream Bowl, where guests can taste a variety of flavors from local ice cream shops. This year’s vendors currently include Cherry Farm Creamery, Cuckie’s Soft Serve Ice Cream, Holy Cow Ice Cream Café, Melt Ice Cream, and Whimsy’s Sweet Life. The cost is $6 for adults and $4 for children, with cash and Venmo as payment options for tickets purchased on site. Following the Ice Scream Bowl, the Salem Common Neighborhood Association will screen the movie “Casper.”
On Thursday, Aug. 6, the city’s weekly farmers market on Front Street, 3-7 p.m., will feature musical entertainment and demonstrations, as well as a story time for youth hosted by the Salem Public Library. The week includes several events exclusively for older adults, including an ice cream social, a special event designed around getting MBTA Charlie Cards, and a BBQ at 10 a.m. on Winter Island honoring exceptional older residents for their service to the community.
On Saturday, Aug. 8, Salem State University presents Mapping a Century of Salem at Old Town Hall, a family-friendly Free Music Festival throughout the day at the Salem Willows; and the Latin Dance program with Greg Coles Dance and Drum that will return to Charlotte Forten Park at 4 p.m.
Heritage Days comes to a close on Sunday, Aug. 9 with the 24th Annual Phillips House Car Meet on Chestnut Street, the S.C.E.N.E.’s Sunset Hang at the Willows, the Salem 400+ Tour-A-Truck event, and the Mack Park Farm Fest, as well as a brand new event — Salem Porchfest, from noon to 8 p.m. on Linden and Wisteria Street.
More information on upcoming events can be found on the city’s website at salemma.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/425.
Michael McHugh can be contacted at mmchugh@northofboston.com or at 781-799-5202