Salem 'First Muster' To Include Parade, Flyover, Cannon At Common

SALEM, MA — A cannon salute, Air Force flyover, U.S. Army helicopter landing and parade will accompany the annual First Muster set for Salem Common on Saturday.

The annual event is in celebration of the city as the birthplace of the National Guard in the United States.

The Second Corps Cadets Veterans Association and the city of Salem will host the 387th Anniversary of the First Muster rain or shine beginning at 8 a.m.

The dedication of the new Gen. Abbott monument in front of St. Peter's Church will kick off the day at 8 a.m. followed by a ceremony at Armory Park at 9 a.m.

A parade of units will take place to Salem Common at 9:30 a.m. with the muster ceremony on Salem Common at 10 a.m.

The First Muster will include the helicopter landing, flyover, 500 soldier pass in review and the cannon salute.

Residents are advised that there will be military apparatus, road congestion and loud noises associated with the parade and ceremony. Those sensitive to loud noises are welcome to use the lobby of the police station at 95 Margin Street until the flyover and cannon salute have concluded.

Traffic and brief road closures should be anticipated in the areas of Church Street, St. Peter's Church, Essex Street, New Liberty and Hawthorne Boulevard.

Free parking and refreshments will be available at O'Donnell's at 84 Washington Square.

All events are free and open to the public.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)