Set Sail On A Salem Seaside Soirée Aboard Pride Of Baltimore II

SALEM, MA — A ticketed fundraiser aboard the Pride of Baltimore II will help support the city's Heritage Days Parade and Festival.

The city of Salem and the Salem Chamber of Commerce are inviting residents and visitors to the Seaside Soirée: A Salem400+ Fundraiser on July 31 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Central Wharf at Salem Maritime National Historical Park.

The visiting tall ship will be docked at Central Wharf for the duration of the event. Tickets are $145 per person, and all proceeds will directly support Salem400+ programming, including the city's Heritage Days events.

Tickets are available through the Salem Chamber of Commerce website here.

Guests at the limited-capacity event will receive gourmet hors d'oeuvres by Ferreira Foods, two complimentary beverages, signature cocktails for the event and access to a cash bar.

The Pride of Baltimore II, built and launched in Baltimore's Inner Harbor in 1988, is a reproduction of Baltimore Clippers from the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

The fundraiser will lead into the Salem400+ Heritage Days Parade and Festival the next day.

The parade will assemble at the Salem State University O'Keefe Sports Complex, 225 Canal St., at 10 a.m. and proceed through the city before ending at Derby Wharf for a festival held in partnership with Salem Maritime National Historical Park.

The festival on Derby Wharf will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will include the Great Salem Maritime Cardboard Boat Regatta, historic craft demonstrations, live music, food trucks and a beer garden.

Visitors will also be able to board the Pride of Baltimore II during the festival for an open-ship experience and to learn more about the vessel and its crew.

"The Heritage Days Parade and Festival is an event not to be missed, created specifically to mark Salem's 400th anniversary," said Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo. "This a truly historic opportunity for residents and visitors to take part in Salem's quadricentennial celebration.

"Over 60 local organizations and businesses have signed up to represent their part in Salem's history through the parade. I am especially grateful to city staff and volunteers throughout Salem who are working so hard to bring this exciting milestone commemoration to life."

Organizers are seeking volunteers to help with the parade. Volunteers can serve for a couple of hours or the full day and will help the event run smoothly for more than 60 marchers and the thousands of spectators expected along the route.