SALEM, MA — Join us for the Salem Merry-time Fest from noon to 7pm on Saturday, August 19, 2023, at Salem Maritime National Historic Site on Derby Street. This event is free and open to the public. This one-day festival marks a return of the park’s annual summer event. In previous years, Salem Maritime held the “Salem Maritime Festival” at the park each summer. Following state and local guidance, the festival was canceled in 2020 and remained on hiatus throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year, the Salem Merry-time Fest will feature a wide range of entertainment, including musicians, magic, visiting vessels, and hands-on activities. This year’s event will also introduce the first “Great Salem Maritime Cardboard Boat Regatta.” Teams of two will test their ingenuity by building homemade cardboard boats that will launch from Derby Beach. Boat registration is required; all rules are on the park website.   

“We’re excited to reconnect with Salem residents, our partners, and visitors by launching the Salem Merry-time Fest, new to the park but rooted in tradition and Salem spirit,” said Superintendent Jennifer Hardin of Salem Maritime and Saugus Iron Works National Historic Sites. “Salem Maritime is committed to providing opportunities for visitors to meaningfully engage with our maritime history and culture in fun and unique ways.”Stay up-to-date and learn more about how to participate in this year’s event at https://www.nps.gov/sama/planyourvisit/salem-merry-time-fest.htm 

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