What would blog posts about Salem during Halloween be without photos of people in costumes? I had been holding off on posting my photos of people in their costumes until the end of the month. So, I have plenty of photos to show and I may take a few more tomorrow.
These are always my favorite posts of the Halloween season. The creativity and care people put into their costumes is very impressive. Plus, the cuteness factor was on 100 in the photos of the families in costume.
There are so many people that dress up in some really cool costumes. So, I will have to break it up into multiple parts. I will try to post every day this week so I can include them all in my posts this week.
In this first installment, I am going to begin with the performers and people who are regulars in Salem during this time of the year and a few other visitors in costume.
Along Essex St, a pedestrian walkway that is shut off to traffic during the Halloween celebrations, there are a number of people who dress up and pose for photos with visitors (donations are appreciated). Some of the characters that are represented on Essex St are the Addams Family (Pugsley couldn’t make it this year). I didn’t notice it until now but it looks like they even got “Thing” in the photo.
Frankenstein also has a rather elaborate display.
There’s this scary werewolf. I thought I saw a woman in a red hood here a second ago. Oh well.
Spider-Man helped this little girl shoot a web!
This is what I love so much about Salem this time of the year and the performers. They have so much personality (even the quiet ones like Mike Myers)
Speaking of Mike…here he is.
And of course Pennywise. Written on his tip jar is, “Tips to help find George Appreciated.” Good to know my money went to something worthwhile.
There were other famous characters who made special appearances during my visits.
The entire cast of the Nightmare Before Christmas somehow all made it there together.
There are several other performers who don’t have a name or aren’t emulating a famous character (at least not that I know of). But they are still pretty scary!
Witch costumes are also very popular in Salem.
Not all of the costumes people wear in Salem are scary of shocking though. Some are down right cute. It’s great seeing families get into the spirit of the Halloween season!
There were also lots of couples, or friends (I’m not judging or assuming here) who dressed up for their trip to Salem. There were so many cute, spooky and fun couples!
Dogs have a great time in Salem too!
Maggie is an 8 month old German, Short Haired Pointer,
Locations: Kittery, ME, Portsmouth, NH & Salem, MA
Over the years, businesses and people have both embraced Halloween as being much more than just a day to pull pranks and dress up in crazy costumes.
Halloween has become a season rather than a day and there may be better place to experience the spirit of the Halloween season than in New England.
Below are just a few of the Halloween decorations I have seen in my travels in New England these past few weeks.
Every year during the Halloween season, the owner of this house on Derby St decorates his or her home. The decorator also has a place to donate money to the Lion’s Club.
When I stopped by October 1st, there was only a few decorations up.
However, the next time I visited, the following week, there were a lot more decorations up. This home is another staple of the Halloween season. Frankly, it would feel weird walking past the home this time of the year without seeing the elaborate display. The bugs really creep me out!
There was a special visitor in the yard during my visit. A neighbor was walking her cat in the yard.
This house on Hawthorne Blvd always has some interesting decorations and nick knacks on it property. This tree was decorated with a variety of bird feeders.
Many of the homes in Salem get into the Halloween spirit. These are a few historic homes and private residences that were decorated for Halloween.
Many of the businesses in Salem decorate for the busiest season of the year.
Witch’s Brew Cafe (156 Derby St) decorates their windows each year with different popular horror characters.
Mercy Tavern (148 Derby St) also had some fun artwork on their windows.
Dave Engs Flowers ( 136 1/2 Derby St,) put some spooky statues on his building.
These customers at Rockafella’s (231 Essex St,) must have been waiting a very long time for a table.
Witch Tees ( 172 Essex Street Suite 127) had a very useful mirror.
The Purple Scorpion Body Piercing & Tattoo (140 Derby St) dressed up their shop for the holidays.
I am actually not sure if Fivehands Curiousity Shoppe dressed up their store storefront for the season or if it always looks like this.
So, contrary to some people’s opinion. I am not a vampire. The person that looked in the mirror before me, though!
You might expect people and businesses in Salem to decorate their homes and buildings. But, Salem isn’t the only place people like to decorate.
Of course, it’s hard to pull over some places to take photos of decorations and it’s not usually worth it if you’re in a hurry.
But, I was able to pull over to the side of the ride on a quiet road in Kittery, Maine.
Cause nothing says “Happy Halloween” like creepy dolls that look like zombie children.
These creative “pumpkin people” were on display throughout Portsmouth, NH.I found these particular decorations on State St in Portsmouth.
At least they look very happy.
I also noticed this witch on a telephone pole in Salem, MA. It’s one of my favorites but I think it’s up all year long.
This lucky dog, Dolly, got carried around the mall!
Highlights: pumpkins decorated by kids in the Salem area
Tip:
The Pumpkin Patch will most likely be taken down this weekend
When you ask people about the biggest attractions in Salem, especially this time of the year, you’re bound to hear responses like the Salem Witch Museum, the Essex Street Open Market and, of course, The House Of The Seven Gables. Yet, sometimes it’s the little things that bring you the most joy.
I used to stop by this rather nondescript “pumpkin patch” for kicks to view the pumpkins decorated by students and children from the Salem area.
Now, it is more of a tradition. A habit if you will. What would Halloween be without this display? I know one day it will not be set up and, while many people may not even notice, I’ll feel a twinge of disappointment. But, for now, I’ll enjoy it while it’s still there.
Roughly 150 students participate in this annual contest. The entries are sectioned off by grade or age level and winners are selected. According to the news outlet Patch.com, the Pumpkin Decorating Contest is held every year and sponsored by the Salem Beautification Committee. Prize money is usually donated by Fiesta Shows.
It’s funny how some things that may seem inconsequential and even silly like this trailer full of pumpkins can have so much sentimental value to others. It’s funny how little things can have so much meaning.
I thought these pumpkins looked pretty cool.
Do you have any favorites?
Of course, Salem is overflowing with dogs, particularly since we’ve had such a mild fall thus far. Charley, a 4 year old T Cup Chihuahua, got into the spirit of the season with his bumble bee outfit.
Highlights: family friendly pumpkin festival, carousel, bouncy house and other activities for children (and adults)
Nothing says Halloween like costumes, candy and floating pumpkins. Yes, floating pumpkins.
That is what was on display at Frog Pond last weekend as we ushered in the Halloween season.
But, these “floating pumpkins” weren’t floating in the air. No, these pumpkins were floating on Frog Pond at the Boston Common.
Visitors who wanted to participate in the pumpkin float were asked to bring a hollowed out 8 inch or smaller carved pumpkin.
The carvings and designs on the pumpkins ranged from spooky to funny.
The organizers of the event encouraged visitors to come to the event in costume. And they were not disappointed.
If you haven’t attended a pumpkin float before (it was my first time as well) and you want participate in the float event, each person drops off their pumpkin at one of the booths located by the pond. At the booth, one of the volunteers inserts an l.e.d. light bulb. I think it would have looked cooler with a candle. But, since it is going into water, well that wouldn’t work out too good. Then, the pumpkin is put on a piece of wood and pushed into the water so they all coalesce. Periodically, a worker walked in the water to make sure they all group together.
As the sun set, the lights from the jack o’ lanterns began to light up Frog Pond.
There was also a carousel, the Frog of Frog Pond, a d.j. from a local radio station, a bouncy house, bubbles, policemen on horses who took photos with visitors and other types of entertainment.
The Pumpkin Float, which was held at Pope John Paul Park in the past, was a dog friendly event. And, some of the dogs came in costume!
Porter is a 9 year old lion, I mean pit terrier.
Tiny is a 3 year old Chihuahua.
Winnie is 18 months old.
Bijo is an 11 year old mixed breed. Bijo is wearing a boot because one of his nails was injured.
Below is a video of the “bubble man” at Frog Pond. The kids loved popping the bubbles.
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Location: The Bridge at 211, 211 Bridge St, Salem, MA
Hours: Hours may vary
Cost: Free
Parking: There is limited parking available at the location. There is also metered street parking throughout Salem.
Highlights: art created by local artists
Tips:
Exhibit is up until October 29
As if the Faint Of Art art display wasn’t scary enough, the Bridge at 211 isn’t done yet. While not technically part of the “Faint Of Art” exhibit, the Bridge at 211 also has a collection of other art, both spooky and otherwise, on display in their art display rooms.
Ranging from humorous to downright spooky, you are bound to find something that catches your eye.
As you enter the rooms with all of the art carefully placed displayed, it is easy to be overwhelmed with the sheer volume and quality of the art around you. Where to start? Was the first thought that came to mind. After collecting my bearings, I noticed this interesting lamp.
Location: The Bridge at 211, 211 Bridge St, Salem, MA
Hours: Hours may vary
Cost: Free
Parking: There is limited parking available at the location. There is also metered street parking throughout Salem.
Highlights: art created by local artists
Tips:
Exhibit is up until October 29
Art and Halloween are the perfect combination for Salem. With a thriving art community and its dark history, the Salem Arts Association, “Faint Of Art” exhibit makes for a great display for this time of the year!
The exhibit, being displayed at the Bridge at 211, consists of art created mostly by people from Salem and the neighboring towns and cities such as Lynn and Peabody.
While there is more than just the Faint Of Art display at the Bridge, the Faint Of Art display is located in the foyer or hallway of the building.
The art mostly consists of mostly paintings, photographs and sketches. Some of the works had a glare reflecting off the glass they were framed in which I couldn’t avoid capturing unfortunately. Consequently, had to take some of these photos from unusual angles to cut down on the shadows and glare.
The first work I noticed was very scary and set the tone for the rest of the exhibit.
Nightmare is by Anne Benecke.. It is an oil on canvas painting.
Frighteningly Friendly by Cindy Allen. Acrylic. (Honorable Mention)
She Laughed by Maura McGonagle. Ink on paper.
Ghost Ship 2 by Rod Parker. Photograph.
I make that face a lot, too. Man In The Mirror by Leo Vincent. Reverse oil painting on paper.
Jenny by Joey Phoenix. Acrylic on canvas.
The Gargoyle by Nancy Barnes. Pastel.
Another one of my favorites. Monsanto by Heather Stewart. Acrylic on canvas.
Gargoyle Palace by Roberta Will. Sumi stick wash, pen, ink.
Raymond Gilbert. Oil on canvas.
Godzilla by Peter Grimshaw. Mixed-media.
The Creature From The Black Lagoon by Peter Grimshaw. Mixed-media.
Anything You Want But Nothing You Need by Raymond Gilbert. Oil on canvas.
Til Death Do Us Part by Carli Kusiolek. Watercolor, pen and ink.
Untitled by Heather Meri Stewart. Pen and ink.
While this concludes the photos from the “Faint Of Art” collection, there were many more works of art displayed in the other rooms at the Bridge at 211 which I will include in my next blog post.
Which one did you like best? Let me know in the comments below!
Date Of Event: October 8, 2017 (usually the second Sunday in October each year)
Location: Derby Square, Salem, MA
Highlights: dogs and other pets dressed in costumes
Salem went to the dogs earlier this month with the 2017 Howl-O-Ween Pet Parade.
In the midst of costumed humans, out-of-towners and frazzled merchants, it’s refreshing to see dogs get into the spirit of the season!
The annual Howl-O-Ween Pet Parade was held earlier this month to let pets and their parents showcase their costumes. In the past, there used to be winners selected. I stayed until the end and I did not see a vote or any awards presented(hence the name “pet parade” and not “contest”). I think it is good, though, since they are all winners to me.
So, without further delay, the dogs of Salem…
Maverick, a 5 month old Black Shepherd, was dressed as a cute little pumpkin.
This cute little bumble bee is Louie, a 6 year old Gordon Setter.
Calling Dr. Wolf…Zirka (Ukranian for “Star”) is a Sheltie with German Shepherd and other breeds. He told me to take two bones and call him in the morning.
Cheers to Raglan, a 7 year old Berne Doodle (Burmese Doodle mix). Bottom’s Up, Raglan!
Oliver (“Oliversauarus”) is a bit of a celebrity. You can find his Instagram page here. He is part Great Dane, part Great Pyrenees, part Labrador, American Staffordshire Terrier. Or, as his mom calls him, a “super mutt.”
Nora, the mummy is a 7 year old chihuahua.
Bismarck, a 10 month old Shepherd, arrested me with his beauty.
Clara The Witch is a 1 year old Morkie.
Freyja the Rabbit is a 7 month old Australian Shepherd.
Shiver my timbers! Tink The Pirate (a rescue dog) is a 2 year old Pointer/Lab mix. Kudos to Tink’s mom who made the costume just before the pet parade!
Seamus The Shark is an 11 year old Black Lab.
Diesel The Lion is a 2 and a half year old French Bulldog.
Lulu, dressed as a caterpillar, is a 1 and a half year old French Bulldog.
Belle is a 10 and a half year old Boxer/Greyhound/Butterfly mix.
Finn (from the show (Adventure Time) is a 1 year old Beagle.
Princess Evy is a 6 month old Newfie.
Keeping with the royalty theme, Prince Cain is a 1 year old Pitt bull.
Sparky, a 2 year old Pomeranian mix made a special delivery at the parade.
Ben the Pumpkin is a 14 year old Yorkie.
Jett (get it…Bennie and the Jetts) is a 4 year old Yorkie.
Murphy the Dinosaur is a 3 year old Beagle.
Blue and Lucy are 9 year old Pomeranians.
Herbert, 6, (in the front of the truck) and Ruby, 14 (In the back of the truck) are Japanese Chins.
Opie is a one and a half year old Mini Daschund.
Lana is a 1 year old Beagle mix.
Thor (on the left is an 11 year old York Terrier. Oreo, (On the right) is a 13 year old Pekingnese.
Riley (on the left), a 15 year old Poodle, was dressed as Bert.
Simon (on the right) , a 7 year old Poodle mix, was dressed as Ernie.
You can see the heads and shirts of them in the first photo.
Dogs weren’t the only pets who came to the pet parade.
Scout is a 5 month old domesticated bat. I mean cat.
Bagheera The Bengal looked cool and chill, even if there were dogs all over. You can find Bagheera’s website here.
The zombies have invaded Salem, MA. And I don’t just mean the ones engrossed with their phone screens wandering through the streets.
No, these zombies are participants in the annual Salem Zombie Walk.
There were zombies of all ages, attire and degrees of scariness. It’s never too early to get into the Halloween spirit and these people were definitely in the spirit of the season!
But, my favorite zombies have to be the families and children who have dressed up for the walk. After all, the families that stalk together stay together.
There’s nothing cuter than “zombie kids!”
The zombies arrived in a variety of different vehicles. “Witch Taxi.” How appropriate. Was her broom broken?
After a quick game of zombie kickball, they all got lined up and began the walk.
Although there weren’t any dogs in the zombie walk (although they are welcome), I did see these cute dogs on the way to the park.
Gatsby is a 1 year and 3 month old Golden Retriever.
Baloo (named after the character in The Jungle Book) is a 5 year old Pomeranian.
These two friends watched the parade from the window of their home. Perhaps I’ll see you next year…if the zombies don’t get you first!
Below are some videos from the festivities at the zombie walk.
Adults $20, seniors (65 and over) $18, students (with ID) $12, Youth (16 and under) and Salem, Mass. residents (with ID) admitted free*. (*Does not apply to youth in student/tour groups.) For late nights, $12 after 5 pm.
*events and some exhibits may be have a separate fee*
Parking: there are several parking garages in Salem ($20 to park the entire day this time of the year), The best one to park at for this exhibit is the Museum Place Mall parking garage on Church St as it is directly across from the Essex St entrance of the mall. You may also find limited street parking if you’re lucky for .75 an hour, 4 hour max.
Highlights: collection of movie posters and memorabilia from vintage sci-fi and horror films, videos and music of Kirk Hammett and Metallica
Tips:
The entrance is on Essex St (not Charter St)
You can view the impressive Yin Yu display at the museum for an extra $6 a person charge. It is worth the extra fee (and you will see why soon)
This exhibit is running until Nov. 26, 2017
Welcome to the third, and final, installment of my photos and observations from the It’s Alive! horror and sc-fi movie collection exhibit.
In case you missed it, you can find part I here and part II here.
Welcome back to my photo blog of the It’s Alive! monster movie memorabilia collection.
AS I mentioned in the previous posts, there is so much more than just posters at this exhibit.
One of the more nostalgic parts of the exhibit are the toys, figures and books. While I never had any of these specific toys or memorabilia growing up, I had similar toys and memorabilia. I had to stop myself from playing with them.
This toy figure is a must for any fish tank.
A replica of what many of the television rooms of that day where millions of families congregated to watch the movie of the week, the late late show or the aforementioned “Creature Double Feature” is set up at the exhibit.
There are also masks from classic movie monsters.
This mask is the mask Lon Chaney wore in the film Bud Abbott & Lou Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948). The mask was made by Bud Westmore. It is made out of plaster with hair, glass, paint, sheltac and clay.
This mask is a gill-man prop head from Revenge Of The Creature (1955). It was also created by Bud Westmore. It is made from latex, rubber, paint, metal and glass. A hose was connected to the mask which supplied air to the actor’s mouth and another hose was connected to the gills to make them look as though they were opening and closing. Westmore was also credited with creating the design of the monster in The Creature From The Black Lagoon.
One of the coolest parts of the exhibit is the do-it-yourself monster movie poster machine
Last but certainly not least, there is a collection of Kirk Hammett’s guitars and guitar cases, particularly the cases that are designed in the horror motif.
Videos of Kirk being interviewed and playing the guitar are shown on a loop by his display of guitars. There are also quotes of his that are posted throughout the exhibit.
At the end of the exhibit, near the exit, there is a book visitors can sign, leave feedback and add their own art work!
Dogs aren’t the only four legged cuties in Salem during my visit. Wiggy (The Piggy) is a 1.5 year old Juliana pig. He was very friendly and he even gave his guardian kisses.
I hope you have enjoyed this tour of the It’s Alive! exhibit! Below are some videos of the video clips they show on the walls of the exhibit and one of the figurines on display.
Adults $20, seniors (65 and over) $18, students (with ID) $12, Youth (16 and under) and Salem, Mass. residents (with ID) admitted free*. (*Does not apply to youth in student/tour groups.) For late nights, $12 after 5 pm.
*events and some exhibits may be have a separate fee*
Parking: there are several parking garages in Salem ($20 to park the entire day this time of the year), The best one to park at for this exhibit is the Museum Place Mall parking garage on Church St as it is directly across from the Essex St entrance of the mall. You may also find limited street parking if you’re lucky for .75 an hour, 4 hour max.
Highlights: collection of movie posters and memorabilia from vintage sci-fi and horror films, videos and music of Kirk Hammett and Metallica
Tips:
The entrance is on Essex St (not Charter St)
You can view the impressive Yin Yu display at the museum for an extra $6 a person charge. It is worth the extra fee (and you will see why soon)
This exhibit is running until Nov. 26, 2017
Welcome to the second installment of the It’s Alive! exhibit…if you dare.
There’s no better way to get yourself in the Halloween spirit than being in Salem, MA and viewing horror/sci-fi movie memorabilia. It doesn’t hurt when you have the melodic sounds of Metallica playing in the background.
Now that we’ve covered most of the notorious movie villians (Dracula, Frankenstein, et al), let’s get to view some heroes of these film genres. Just kidding, here’s more villians! Below are some famous stories with a different twist.
In this unusual take on a Shakespeare story, Hamlet (1921) has a more violent twist.
Belle at la Bete (Beauty And The Beast) (1946).
Cats, especially black cats, play a significant role in horror movies, and not usually in a good way.
From left to right: Tomb Of Ligeia (1965) and Mysteriet Svarta Katten (“The Black Cat) (1941)
These movie posters all have a unhealthy relationship (for instance, Norman certainly loved his mom).
Clockwise from the top left: I Married A Monster From Outer Space(1958), Psycho (1960),The Horror Of Party Beach: The Curse Of The Living Corpse (1964), Island Of Lost Souls (1932), The She-Creature (1956) and The Disembodied (1957)
The following movie posters all seem to deal with the demonic or demented
From left to right: Repulsione(1966), Rosemary’s Baby (1968), The Exorcist (1973), Whatever Happened to Baby Jane (1962)
The following movie posters have to deal with sci-fi and alien monsters
Clockwise from left to right: Barbarella (1968), It Conquered The World (1956), the original art work for The Day Of The Triiffids (1963) The Day Of The Triffids (1962), Doctor X (1932)
These movie posters are for Creatures (people from New England, especially Massachusetts and New Hampshire, may remember from the Creature Double Feature movie shows on channel 56 on television) .
From left to right: King Kong (1933), Mothra (1962), Tarantula! (1955) and (of course) Godzilla, King Of The Monsters! (1956)
These zombie movies came out before the current Walking Dead craze began.
Clockwise from the top left: The Walking Dead (two movie posters from 1936), White Zombie (1932), Zombies: Dawn Of The Dead (1980), Night Of The Living Dead (1968) and I Walked With A Zombie (1943)
The remainder of the movie posters fell into a “miscellaneous” category.
Clockwise from the top left: The Cabinet Of Dr. Caligari (1920), The Beast With 1,000,000 Eyes (1955), The Crawling Eye (1958), Metropolis (1927), The Old Dark House (1932), The Whispering Shadow (1933), The Invisible Ray (1948), King Kong Vs. Godzilla (1977), Murders In The Rue Morgue (1932), Mystery Of The Wax Museum (1933), Attack Of The 50 Foot Woman (1958), I Was A Teenage Werewolf (1957), Barnum (Freaks) (1932), The The Return Of Chandu (1934) and Notre Dame de Paris (circa 1924)
Now, lest how you think that is all that is on display at the It’s Alive! exhibit, think again.
There are also a number of statues, figures and oh, well, I don’t want to give it all away straight away.
Similar to the movie posters, the prints and artwork of the movies are displayed in a separate section. Now, these, to me, are the real art of the exhibit. While the movie posters are impressive and cool, the prints have so much detail and you can see the craftsmanship involved. I loved them.
Clockwise from the top left: The Mummy by Basil Gogos, 1969, Lon Chaney as Phantom Of The Opera also by Basil Gogos, 1958, Dracula by Basil Gogos, circa 1970, Vampyr by Erik Aaes, 1932, Dead Of Night by Frank Frazetta, 1964, The Berserker by Frank Frazetta, 1967 and Dracula Meets The Wolfman by Frank Frazetta, 1966
There are also suits and clothing from these vintage movies as well as life-like, real sized statues of movie stars and characters.
The mannequin above is a statue of Bela Lugosi. The mannequin is wwearing the jacket and vest Bela wore in The White Zombie (1932). The figure of Bela Lugosi was made of silicone by Mike Hill in 2010.
What a scary suit! This prop suit was from the movie Invaders From Mars (1953). It was made by Norman Koch, Olive Koenitz and Gene Martin of the Western Costum Company. It is made of plush cotton, zippers, metal, painted papier mache and wool. It is 7 feet in length.
This “saucer-man” figure from Invasion Of The Saucer-Men (1957) was made by Monster Effects in 2011. It is made of paint, metal and fiberglass. Paul Blaisdell created this pop collar on the suit.
Mike Hill created this Boris Karloff figure in 2010 out of silicone. The suit is the same suit Karloff wore in The Black Cat (1934).
Quite a collection, huh? Well, believe it or not, there’s more! Please join for the third and final installment of this series coming soon!
Salem was teeming with dogs during my visit (you’ll soon see why). I saw Bella (on the left), a 1 and a half year old Akita, dressed as Batman and Seger (on the right), a 2 and a half year old Cattle dog mix, dressed as a prisoner after I left the museum.
Below is a video of the It’s Alive! exhibit courtesy of Derek Millen. He’s a pretty funny guy! The video portion of the It’s Alive! exhibit begins at around the 3:13 mark of the video (I have set up the video to start at the It’s Alive section of the video).
Winnie is 18 months old.
New England Nomad 