Haunted Happenings makes Salem nation's Halloween capital

By DAVE GERSHMAN

Essex County Newspapers

SALEM _ Make no mistake, this is still the Witch City.

You've come to the right place for spooks, goblins and ghosts. But this year, there's also lots more.

In fact, Haunted Happenings, the month-long festival in October, is being geared up like never before, with the idea of offering more than just the usual scary fare.

Kicking off with the opening ceremonies on Oct. 6, Haunted Happenings will offer new, interactive events for all ages, but especially for children. Events will be staged at three downtown locations, on the Essex Street pedestrian mall, Salem Common and by the waterfront.

There's the giant leaf pile, a perfect place to let kids romp around; the hay bale maze, which will enthrall the littlest wanderers; pumpkin bowling, where pumpkins are rolled to knock down plastic pins; and scooter drag races, where children (and adults who still think they're children) can race each other on the non-motorized version of the fun two-wheelers.

For Harry Potter fans, there will be the first-ever human version of the game made popular in the Harry Potter books _ the Quidditch for Muggles World Invitational tournament. The best teams will compete in the World Championship on Halloween evening.

The whole festival wraps up on Halloween night, with closing ceremonies at 9 p.m. on New Derby Street by the waterfront. The king and queen of Halloween will be crowned, and expect a live band or D.J. to provide entertainment.

Of course, all of the favorites, from the costume ball at the Hawthorne Hotel to Eerie Events at the Peabody Essex Museum, will be back. The House of the Seven Gables will have its annual "Spirits of the Gables," where ghosts from Hawthorne's novel come alive. And all of Salem's tourist attractions, from the Witch Museum on Salem Common to the haunted houses down at Pickering Wharf, will be gearing up as usual for Haunted Happenings.

While many of the dates, times and details aren't set, all you have to know is Salem will be ready come October.

Events during the first half of the month will tie in heavily with traditional autumn activities.

Then the spooky Halloween-themed events come out in force by Oct. 19, when the Grand Parade, which traditionally kicked off the festival in early October, steps off at 7 p.m. This year's parade returns to the Essex Street pedestrian mall, with a Harry Potter theme to tie in to the release of the Warner Brothers movie in November.

Throughout the month, plans call for several buildings along the pedestrian mall to be illuminated at night, adding to the otherworldly atmosphere.

The area will also host the Goth Maul, a collection of 10 booths from vendors offering items from the occult, and Artisans Alley, 16 booths with juried arts and crafts vendors.

Across the city, from the pedestrian mall to the waterfront, expect entertainment from poets, performers and musicians.

Auto buffs, take heart: A new car showcase is being planned to include the latest from Detroit, Germany, England, Japan and Korea. A similar antique showcase is also under consideration.

For those with a creative heart, a "make your own scarecrow" event is also under consideration.

For those who want a scare, many private businesses and the Peabody Essex Museum offer accounts of ghost tales and spooky events. A walk at Derby Wharf is also under consideration, where visitors would be treated to sea tales as they stroll along the waterfront.

And the Salem Witch Memorial, which was built in 1992 for the centennial commemoration of the tragic mass hysteria, will be illuminated by votive candles, adding a new dimension to the solemn location.

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