Spend Halloween in Salem Massachusetts – America’s Witch City

Trick or Treat with Harry Potter and friends

By Fran Folsom

Salem was a city gripped with hysteria during the Witchcraft Trials of 1692 when nineteen people were accused of being witches; eighteen were women, they were hung on Gallows Hill, the one man, while being crushed to death was asked to admit his quilt and he would be saved, all he cried was “more weight”.  The trials were a dark period in the city’s history, it became known far and wide as the Witch City.

Nowadays, to overcome its ghoulish past, Salem brews up good old fashioned family fun with its Haunted Happenings that take place from October 4th to 31st.

Harry Potter fans can gather at track 9 ¾ where the Hogwarts Express will take them to Hogwarts to help Harry, Ron and Hermione save Halloween.

A must stop is the Salem Witch Museum where a computerized diorama gives chilling evidence of the troubles of 1692.  Their exhibit Witches; Evolving Perceptions traces the craft of midwives, healers and witches from the Middle Ages to the 21st century.

Communicate with the dead at a spirits séance or watch as Salem’s practicing coven of witches cast sacred circles using ancient rites.  For grave robbing head over to Frankenstein’s laboratory at the Salem Wax Museum whose dungeons are full of Dr. Frankenstein’s creations.

The House of Seven Gables made famous by Nathaniel Hawthorne hosts two live performances, Spirits of the Gables a tale of a family embroiled in a wicked curse, and, Legacy of the Hanging Judge has you witness the Salem Witchcraft Trials.

Heighten your belief of the supernatural on a candlelit guided walking tour of Salem’s Terror Trail where tales of haunted housing, spectral spottings and murder abound.

Become part of a Puritan jury as the Old Town Hall serves as the setting for the Witch House for Cry Innocent: The People Versus Bridget Bishop a reenactment of the witch trial of Bridget Bishop who was condemned as a witch by Magistrate Jonathan Corwin and was hanged.

Even the family cat can get into the Halloween spirit with the Boo-tiful Pets costume contest at the Common.  Plan on getting there early, this is a sell-out event (oh what people won’t do to and for their pets), ending with the crowning of the Official Cat of Salem.

The Haunted Happenings festivities culminate with on October 31st, the scariest of nights, All Hallows Eve.

For a full calendar of Haunted Happenings events go to www.hauntedhappenings.org

Accommodations: Hawthorne Hotel www.hawthornehotel.com, the Salem Waterfront Hotel www.salemwaterfronthotel.com, and the Salem Inn www.saleminnma.com.

courtesy of North of Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau www.northofboston.org