SALEM, MA – Mayor Kimberley Driscoll has announced that Salem’s Heritage Days festival will run August 2nd through August 8th, with a line-up of non-stop fun and special events celebrating Salem.
“I’m so pleased to announce the return of our annual Heritage Days festivities,” said Mayor Driscoll. “This year, especially, I’m grateful that we have the opportunity to celebrate all that makes Salem the vibrant and special community that we all love. My thanks to all the organizations, community partners, and City staff whose efforts make this annual event possible.”
The Heritage Days week includes several events exclusively for seniors, including an ice cream social and a picnic at Winter Island. Opportunities abound for musical entertainment at the oceanfront Salem Willows Shell featuring the Salem Community Concert Band and Community Jazz Band, under the direction of Cynthia Napierkowski, on Monday night, the North Shore Concert Band on Tuesday night, and a variety of DJs, VJs, and live electronic music on Saturday and Sunday.
The highlight of this year’s Heritage Days takes place August 6th on Derby Wharf, with a live concert by the Ward Eights starting at 7:00 p.m. and fireworks display starting around 9:00 p.m. produced by the award-winning Atlas Pyrovision Entertainment Group. The night promises to be the most fun and most memorable event of the summer season. The Ward Eights are an incredible band, playing funk, soul, rock, hip-hop, pop, jazz, and much more and the fireworks display that is planned promises to be one to remember.
Other events during the week include the always-popular Ice Cream Tasting and movie on the Common on August 4th, a family bingo night on August 6th at Charlotte Forten Park, and the Phillips House Annual Antique Car Meet along Chestnut Street on August 8th. Another special event during the week is an open house at the Peabody Essex Museum’s Phillips Library in Rowley, where attendees will be able to see some of the PEM’s recent acquisitions along with the scope of its global collections, including its archives of Salem and Essex County history.
This year the Salem Police Department, Salem Fire Department, and Salem Department of Public Services combine their Tour-A-Truck event with a K-9 demonstration and a Salem Police & Firefighters vs. Salem Youth basketball game. Snacks and drinks will be provided thanks to donations from our local business community.
To view the entire schedule for Heritage Days 2021, please visit www.salem.com/heritagedays.
