Salem Haunted Happenings Grand Parade Returns This Halloween

SALEM, MA — The Haunted Happenings Grand Parade is coming back to Salem this Halloween season.

A year after the parade included a "wicked walkabout" of stationary floats on the Pedestrian Mall and throughout downtown amid COVID-19 precautions — and it was canceled in 2020 — Salem Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Rinus Oosthoek said it will revert to its original route for the first time in three years in its 25th year on Oct. 6.

"The Parade is a special nighttime tradition for the city of Salem and visitors alike to officially kick off Salem's Halloween season," Oosthoek said in a Chamber release. "The Parade is always full of color, pageantry, music and the enthusiasm of thousands of Salem's students from kindergarten to college plus many local business owners."

Oosthoek said more than 10,000 spectators from throughout the North Shore are expected to attend.

This year's theme is "Who's Your Hero?" with attendees asked to dress up as their favorite hero either from television, the movies or in real life.

This year's parade route will begin at Shetland Park on Congress Street and proceed left to Derby Street, then right onto Central Street, left onto Front Street, right onto Washington Street and then right onto the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall before finishing at Salem Common.

There will also be a special sensory-friendly area for those who are sensitive to bright flashing lights, loud noises and sirens. That will be on Central Street from New Derby Street to Front Street.

The Salem Chamber of Commerce is seeking financial support from the Salem business community for this tourist event and asks any person or business looking to become a friend or sponsor of the Grand Parade to contact the Chamber here.

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