Salem Willows facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Salem Willows |
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A path at the Salem Willows featuring Willow trees
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| Type | Urban park |
| Location | Salem, Massachusetts, United States |
| Area | 35 acres (0.14 km2; 0.055 sq mi) |
| Created | 1858 |
| Owned by | Salem, MA |
| Operated by | Salem Park, Recreation & Community Services Department |
Welcome to Salem Willows, a fun oceanfront park in Salem, Massachusetts! It's named after the European white willow trees planted there way back in 1801. These trees created a cool, shady path for people recovering at a nearby hospital.
The area became a public park in 1858. In the 1900s, it became a popular summer spot for people from Boston's North Shore. They would escape the city heat, often arriving by streetcar. On June 10, 1880, the park officially opened with many new attractions.
Salem Willows covers over 35 acres. It has beaches, a long pier, a yacht club, and a boardwalk. You'll find arcades and restaurants along the boardwalk. There are also many places for outdoor activities like picnics. The park has gazebos, a small stage, and courts for tennis and basketball.
There's a special amusement area called Kiddieland. It has a classic carousel that is still running today! You'll also find a few other rides just for kids and a miniature golf course. The two small beaches at the Willows are great for tourists. From here, you can see nearby cities and towns. The beaches are also a popular spot to watch the 4th of July fireworks. You can often see fireworks from Salem, Beverly, and Marblehead all at once! The Salem Trolley even stops right at the park.
Along "Restaurant Row" on the park's north side, many places used to serve fresh seafood. The park is close to the Juniper Point neighborhood. Many houses there were once only used in summer, but now people live in them all year.
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Black Picnic Day: A Special Celebration
Salem Black Picnic Day is a very important event. It used to be called the "Colored People’s Picnic" until 1968. It's also connected to Negro Election Day. This day celebrates the history of "The First Black Voting System." In 2021, the picnic celebrated its 280th anniversary!
Salem was one of the few towns in Massachusetts where Black people voted to choose a Black Governor. This Governor would act as a judge, helper, and link for the Black community. The first Black election day celebration happened in Lynn in 1741. About 26 enslaved people gathered for a day of celebration.
This annual gathering has been held at Salem Willows since 1885. It takes place on the third Saturday of July. In 2019, Senators Joan Lovely and Bruce Tarr supported a bill. This bill aimed to make the third Saturday in July officially Black Picnic Day. Since World War II, the picnic has been on a Saturday. This was the only day many African Americans working in factories had free time. The event was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The main goal of the day is to protect and share Black history. Families come together to barbecue and eat. There's a parade, vendors, free entertainment, speeches, and awards. You can also enjoy music, dancing, sports, and even register to vote. Between 2,500 and 5,000 people attend each year. Popular foods include spare ribs, collard greens, and potato salad. One year, the National Park Service provided a special Election Day Cake. It was made from an 18th-century recipe!
In recent years, more people have become interested in the history of this event. Since 2015, Salem United, Inc., led by Doreen Wade, has organized the picnic. The Salem United Board works to keep the historical importance of the Salem Willows Black Picnic alive. Also in 2015, Governor Charlie Baker signed a paper recognizing the Black Picnic as a historical event.
Events and Music at the Willows
Salem Willows is a great outdoor spot for many yearly and special events. These events include exciting fireworks shows, parades, and fun music and theater programs.
Willows Casino and Charleshurst Ballroom
The Charleshurst Ballroom opened in the 1920s. It was the main office for its owner, Charlie Schribman. He ran many ballrooms across New England. Schribman arranged for famous bands like Duke Ellington to play. Duke Ellington himself played at the Charleshurst Ballroom nine times in the summer of 1927!
Salem Jazz and Soul Festival
Salem residents Henley Douglas Jr., Jonathan Reardon, and Jennifer Reardon started talking about a concert series in 2003. By 2006, they had a group of people and musicians supporting the idea. The first Salem Jazz and Soul Festival (SJSF) was held on April 21, 2007. The next year, it moved to August, where it has been held ever since.
The Robert F. Hayes Band Stand
The bandstand at Salem Willows was renamed for Robert "Bob" Hayes when he was 92 years old. A plaque there explains why: "For his commitment to keeping free concerts going for many generations of Salem residents." Since 1939, the only concert seasons he missed were during World War II. He served in the U.S. Navy on the USS Essex. As a musician, "Bob" Hayes played music and entertained his shipmates daily. He also helped during battles when the ship was attacked. This bandstand was dedicated in his honor on June 25, 2013.
Horribles Parade
The Horribles Parade happens every July 4th. Residents from the Juniper Point neighborhood, next to Willow Park, organize it. This tradition has been going on since the late 1940s. It also happens in other Massachusetts towns like Needham and Gloucester. The parade mixes patriotism with funny parodies.
Food and Restaurants at the Park
Many restaurants have been part of the Willows over the years. The Chase Willow House opened in 1874 and was very famous. Sadly, it burned down quickly on July 15, 1952. Other past restaurants included Ebsen's, Downing's seafood restaurant, and Swenbeck's. There was also "Blind Pat" Kenneally’s peanut stand.
Today, there are fewer food choices, but Hobbs' popcorn and ice cream stand is open seasonally. It's famous for its homemade ice cream and popcorn. Everett Hobbs and Wilbur Eaton first sold popcorn at the Willows in the mid-1880s. They bought a building to set up their shop in 1897. Today, the fourth generation of the Hobbs family continues this tradition.
Salem Lowe and the Chop Suey Sandwich
The Salem Lowe Co. restaurant has been around since at least 1912. It was first located at 228 Essex Street in downtown Salem. It used to be a sit-down restaurant serving both Chinese and American food. Today, it's a take-out restaurant only and is located right at Salem Willows Park.
