Heritage Days Kicks Off Saturday

Heritage Days are coming up fast, kicking off with the 27th annual Salem Maritime Festival at the Salem Maritime National Historic Site on Derby Wharf from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Saturday.

“Another week of fun filled activities are in store for this annual tradition,” said Mayor Kim Driscoll. “I want to thank all the event managers that have worked so hard to bring almost forty different activities to choose from during Heritage Days this year.”

The Maritime Festival will host an exciting array of free family fun festivities, including free harbor cruises, traditional craft demonstrations, and children’s activities.

There are also three different events happening at the Salem Willows on Saturday. Be entertained by the Bridgin G.A.P.S. concert with performances ranging from local and non-local recording artists, live bands, dance groups, poets and other performance beginning at noon and running until 6 p.m.

The Firemen’s Muster takes place at 12:30 p.m, where crews will compete to throw the longest stream of water with an antique hand pumped fire engine.

Clown Day takes place from 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. where clowns will be on hand all day to make balloon figures for children, get their face painted, and let them be entertained by a special performance at 2:30 p.m.

New this year is the city and the Salem Moose Family Center joining forces to combine Sunday’s August 2nd tour-a-truck event with the Public Safety Day that usually happens in September.

Along with all of the kids’ big truck favorites, there will be some music and many new things to do and see. The Ladies of the Moose will be donating 50 bike helmets to be fitted by the Salem Police Department (first come first serve).

Also new this year, Sail Salem will be hosting the 2015 Optimist New England Championship Sailing Regatta at Winter Island with over 400 young sailors from around the country. Although you may only catch a glimpse of the races from Waikiki Beach or the Willows Pier, the best view will be on spectator boats. For more information about the Regatta go to www.sailsalem.org.

Heritage Days will also, as always, feature an array of the city’s favorite events, including Salem’s Best Pizza Contest, the Salem Community Concert Band; the Ice Scream Bowl; Kids Night on the Common, the Essex Street Fair and the 14th Annual Phillips House Antique Car Meet.

During Heritage Week there are also four activities just for Salem Seniors: an ice cream social; a barbecue; a wellness fair, and a dinner dance.

The full schedule for Heritage Days can be found online on the city’s website.