The 11th Annual Salem’s So Sweet Festival returns February 8 – 14

A decadent tradition of delectable chocolate, sparkling ice sculptures and Valentine’s Day shopping returns for its 11th year. Kicking off with a Chocolate and Wine Tasting on Friday, February 8th, the week-long festival will feature chocolate tastings, shopping promotions, chocolate-infused menus at local restaurants, and the annual Golden Ticket drawing for a fabulous Salem So Sweet gift basket.

The luscious Chocolate and Wine tasting event will be held at Colonial Hall at Rockafellas, a location that is fully-accessibly, and will feature wine and chocolate samplings from premier Salem restaurants, stores and sweet shops. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased in advance at the Salem Chamber of Commerce, 265 Essex Street Suite 101. This event is the highlight of the season and is anticipated to sell-out.

More than 16 large ice sculptures will be installed around downtown Salem on February 9, and restaurants and retailers will be offering chocolate samplings and great discounts throughout the weekend, with some promotions continuing until February 14th. Ice sculptures will include an engagement ring, the Taj Mahal, The Salem State University logo, an octopus, a Valentine Teddy, and others.

The Salem Trolley will offer trolley rides around the festival route, weather permitting, on February 9 & 10 from 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM. Adult rides will cost $1, and children are free. Pick up locations include the Salem Visitor Center, Pickering Wharf and Washington Street near Eastern Bank.

With more than 60 places to eat downtown Salem is the perfect place to plan a romantic dinner or casual lunch. In celebration of the chocolate weekend, 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 in-store promotions, innovative displays and items geared toward chocolate and Valentine’s Day ranging from a chocolate fondue fountain to Valentine inspired dog treats.

Golden Tickets will be available for a chance to win a Salem’s So Sweet Gift Basket. Pick up your Golden Ticket at participating businesses or the Salem Chamber of Commerce, and have it validated at participating businesses (no purchase necessary). Validated Golden Tickets can be returned for entry into a drawing for a Salem’s So Sweet gift basket which features many fine items from area retailers.

Salem So Sweet is presented by The Salem Chamber of Commerce, Salem Main Streets, and local retailers, restaurants and businesses. For more events and details about the festival visit Salem-Chamber.org.

 

Salem Chamber Hosts Retailers Meeting

The Salem Chamber hosted a Retailers Meeting on Thursday, August 23, 2012, at the Eastern Bank Community room on Washington Street. In case you were unable to attend here is a short summary of what was covered.

The Essex Street Pedestrian Mall construction has begun: We are being told that the construction should end in late September just before the big Haunted Happenings push. We are keeping our fingers crossed that the construction crew will not experience any unexpected setbacks.

Open Late Initiative Pilot Program: The Salem Chamber along with Salem Main Streets and the City of Salem are piloting an open late program set for the first Friday of the month. This pilot program will run for three months, October 5, November 2, and December 7. Business who wish to participate must have some sort of entertainment provided in their store and should contact the Salem Chamber at 978-744-0004 for more information.

New Parking Plan Feedback: We received plenty of feedback from the guests in attendance, if you have any comments or observations about the new parking plan please let us know at info@salem-chamber.org.

Haunted Happenings: The annual Haunted Happenings Parade will kick off the holiday festivities again this year on Thursday October 4, 2012. This year’s theme is World Animal Day; we hope to see you there! For forms and more information please visit www.salem-chamber.org.

Peabody Essex Museum Construction Update: Jay Finney, Chief Marketing Officer, and Claudia Chuber, Director of Community Affairs, provided guests with an update of the Museums construction plan. The barriers along Essex Street which will block off room for a crane and other construction equipment is not being erected until November and should be removed by June of 2013. During this time PEM is looking at ways to make the barriers and panels have an artsy design that appeases the eye as well as provides information that pulls visitors down the Pedestrian Mall. The rest of the construction will be on interior buildings and should have little to no effect on the Pedestrian Mall along Essex Street. To sign up for updates directly from the PEM click here.