Salem Residents Encouraged To Come Out To Celebrate Heritage Days Parade

SALEM, MA — Salem is set for a weekend of harbor pageantry and downtown celebration as the city's Salem 400+ initiative welcomes the tall ship Pride of Baltimore II and the return of the Heritage Days Parade.

The events are tied to Salem's quadricentennial and America’s 250th programming.

• Salem To Welcome Tall Ship To Witch City Shores

The public dockside welcome for Pride of Baltimore II is scheduled for Friday at 1 p.m. at Central Wharf, 160 Derby Street. The free event will include Mayor Dominick Pangallo and other dignitaries greeting the ship's crew, and commemorative mini-Salem 400+ flags will be available, according to the announcement.

On Saturday, the Salem 400+ Heritage Days Parade is scheduled to step off from the Salem State University O'Keefe Sports Complex, 225 Canal Street. The route runs up Lafayette Street, turns right onto Derby Street and ends at Salem Maritime National Historical Park.

More than 70 organizations have signed up to march, including several marching bands and the Aleppo Shriners, along with community groups, local businesses and civic organizations.

"We are delighted with the turnout of parade participants, but now it is up to everyone else," said parade organizer Virginia Cherol. "We can't have a parade marching down empty streets, we want everyone needs to come out and cheer for our community."

Spectators are encouraged to arrive early, bring family members and watch from Lafayette Street or Derby Street.

They are also invited to take photos and submit them to the Historic Salem Inc. Salem 400+ photo contest, which is open until Aug. 15.

After the parade, the Salem Heritage Days Festival is scheduled to continue the celebration at Salem Maritime from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event will include the fourth annual Cardboard Boat Regatta at 1 p.m., access aboard the visiting tall ship, historic artisans and food trucks, according to the announcement.

"The Heritage Days Parade has always been about bringing this community together, and it was our great pleasure to bring this beloved tradition back for Salem's Quadricentennial," said Mayor Dominick Pangallo. "We want every corner of Salem represented on that sidewalk — cheering, waving, taking pictures, and celebrating everything that makes this city special. Then come on down to Derby Wharf and keep the celebration going with us."