Residents and visitors alike lined the sidewalks of downtown Salem on Saturday morning to celebrate Salem’s past, present, and future with the return of the Salem Heritage Days Parade and Festival at Central Wharf.
After an absence of over 30 years, Salem’s Heritage Days Parade returned in full force with more than 70 organizations and businesses walking from Canal Street, up Lafayette Street, and to Derby Wharf with floats reflecting the city’s vibrant history and culture.
Under the overarching theme of “Salem Through the Centuries,” the parade was presented in a unique chronological format taking viewers through the different eras of Salem, beginning with its indigenous roots with a float designed by the Massachusett-Ponkapoag Tribe carrying a traditional fishing weir.
The parade featured several historical reenactors with organizations such as History Alive Inc. dressed in costumes depicting figures from the First Muster, the Salem Witch Trials, and other notable colonial era personalities such as Roger Conant, who waved to passersby throughout the route. The Salem Witch Museum float led several descendants of the Salem Witch Trials who wore the names of their ancestors on signs on their chests.
In addition to Revolutionary War reenactors who appeared throughout the parade, organizers of the North Shore Resolutions Project wore colonial black tricorns and held signs harkening back to the Revolutionary period with phrases like “Resist Tyranny” and “Defend the Constitution.” Other history-based participants in the parade included costumed pirates and privateers showcasing the Age of Sail, reenactors of iconic figures like Nathaniel Hawthorne and Charlotte Forten Grimke, as well as a group holding signs recognizing beloved businesses from Salem’s more recent past such as Ted Cole’s Music Shop, Jerry’s Department Store, and Almy, Bigelow & Washburn.
Moving into the present day, parade participants included a collection of faces recognizable by locals including Borah the witch, Lucipurr and his owner Landon Blais, Gigi — the city’s first ever dog mayor — and several costumed buskers depicting classic characters like Jack Skellington, Michael Myers and Uncle Fester.
The parade showcased a diversity of additional local culture including the Salem Beautification Committee with a float showcasing different carved ship figureheads, The Aleppo Shriners riding their three-wheeled drift trikes, Salem Parks and Recreation with a recreation of the Forest River Slide, The Dancing Witches of Old Salem Village, The Salem High Marching Band and Color Guard, the bright-orange garbage truck “Chicken Nugget”, Essex National Heritage Area with a float carrying historical reenactors, and a recreation of the Baker’s Island Lighthouse, among countless others.
Arriving at Central Wharf, the Heritage Days Festival kicked off with food trucks, opportunities to board the Pride of Baltimore II tall ship, free kayak and waterboard rentals, and a variety of historical demonstrations and craftspeople showcasing historical trades such as broommaking, tailoring, herbalism, shipwrighting, and other unique demonstrations from colonial life.
Prior to the Great Salem Maritime Cardboard Boat Regatta, in which local teams raced their homemade cardboard boats in Salem Harbor, Mayor Dominick Pangallo delivered remarks highlighting the new meaning the Heritage Days festivities have taken on this year with the 250th anniversary of the nation and the 400th anniversary of the founding of Salem.
“It’s been decades since we’ve had a Heritage Days parade here in Salem, and that was certainly a special event and a great way to welcome it back to our community,” Pangallo said. “There’s probably no place in America that’s more inspired by its past than Salem. 2026 is a year to reflect on our past, to celebrate who we are today, and to commit ourselves to that brighter future. Because in Salem, our past is always present, but our future is our own to create together.”
2026 marked another milestone for the city as it celebrated the 35th anniversary of its sister city relationship with Ota, Japan, bridging cultures across the Pacific with cultural exchange programs. In addition to a group of students from Ota and Japan’s consul general in Boston Seiichiro Takahashi, Ota Ward Assembly Chair Takayuki Suzuki was in attendance to congratulate the city on its quadricentennial and said he looks forward to forming a stronger friendship between the two cities.
“Congratulations on Salem’s 400th anniversary,” Suzuki said. “In America, Salem is the best city — it’s full of history and beauty. I’m always happy visiting here. In 1991, Salem and Ota became friends. It’s now 35 years since then, and I hope we continue our friendship and exchange with Salem as it continues to grow.”
The Cardboard Boat Regatta saw a wide range of surprising triumphs and heartbreaking defeats, all performed by teams with a colorful mix of cardboard ships referencing everything from the recently departed schooner The Fame, to Almy’s department store. However, even the event’s most tragic sinkings were awarded for their bravery, with the “Titanic Award” for best sinking going to the bright-pink ship “Barbie and Ken.” The fastest boat award was given to the Ethan family for their boat “Bakers Island Express.”
Salem Maritime National Historic Site superintendent Jennifer Hardin reflected on the ways in which the community is continuing to honor its history and make history of its own with events like the Cardboard Boat Regatta.
“Salem is a city that has always been shaped by the sea,” Hardin said. “From the great ships that set sail from this harbor to all of these cardboard boats that are about to launch in just a few minutes, Salem’s maritime connections continue to bring this community together. So as we celebrate 400 years of Salem and 250 years of American independence, we’re not just here celebrating history. In our own very unique ways, we are here today making history.”
Michael McHugh can be contacted at mmchugh@northofboston.com or at 781-799-5202