Salem's So Sweet Festival Returns for 14th Year

SALEM, MA - It’s almost time for one of the high points of Salem’s busy festival calendar.

Salem Main Streets, the Salem Chamber of Commerce, Destination Salem, and local retailers, restaurants and businesses are inviting local residents to attend the 14th annual Salem’s So Sweet Chocolate & Ice Sculpture Festival.

The festival officially kicks off with a Chocolate and Wine Tasting, on Friday, February 5th from 6:30 - 8:30 pm, at Colonial Hall at Rockafellas, 227 Essex Street. This luscious tasting event features wine and chocolate samplings from premier Salem restaurants, stores, and sweet shops. Tickets can now be purchased over the phone by calling 978-744-0004, online at http://salemmainstreets.org/festivals/salem-so-sweet/, or in person at the Salem Chamber of Commerce, 265 Essex Street, Suite 101.

Ticket prices and purchase details will be coming soon at http://salemmainstreets.org/festivals/salem-so-sweet/.

This year, over 20 ice sculptures that will grace downtown Salem starting February 6 – a record breaking number. This year’s themes will include The Friendship, the Mad Hatter, an alpaca, and more. Be sure to make plans for a special evening stroll on Saturday, Feb. 6, when sculptures will be temporarily illuminated.

The Salem Trolley offers trolley rides around the festival route weather permitting during the day on February 6 and 7 for a discounted price. Pick-up locations will be at the Visitor Center, Pickering Wharf, and near Rockafellas on Washington Street.

New this year, Salem Parks Recreation and Community Services will operate a small skating rink at the Museum Place Mall Fountain. Come out for hot cocoa and family fun on Feb. 6 from 5 pm to 8 pm and Feb. 7 from 12 pm to 4 pm.

Many downtown businesses will be offering chocolate samplings and sweet discounts around downtown Salem the weekend of February 6-7 in celebration of Valentine’s Day! In celebration of the chocolate festival, many of Salem’s finest restaurants will feature special chocolate offerings on their menus, including desserts, cocktails, and inventive sauces. Participating Salem retailers will offer innovative displays and items geared toward chocolate and Valentine’s Day, ranging from a chocolate fondue fountain to discounts on jewelry. This year, we are introducing a new in-store promotion called the “Sweet 10% Promotion” – make a full-price purchase at one participating downtown business and get 10% off your purchase at the next participating business! A full list of participating businesses and promotions will be available in brochures distributed around town and online at www.salemmainstreets.org closer to the festival.