Salem Still Casts A Spell Over Halloween Tourists, Despite Pandemic

As usual during the Halloween season, crowds stood shoulder-to-shoulder in downtown Salem, Mass., last weekend. But during a pandemic, it’s not a welcome sight.

“I’ve been in destination marketing for a really long time, and this is the first time I’ve ever said to people: Maybe you shouldn’t come this year,” said Kate Fox, executive director of Destination Salem.

Fox said city officials are meeting this week to figure out how to best manage crowds. There’s a website visitors can use to check downtown crowd size, and the city says tourists should aim for a weekday visit — quieter without the usual school groups, cruises or motorcoach tours.

The pandemic forced the cancelation of the city’s big Halloween parade and nearly a dozen other popular events. But that didn’t stop three friends from flying in from Texas. On a recent day, the trio — in full witch finery, including high pointy shoes — walked carefully along Salem’s cobblestone streets to admiring nods. They’d planned their trip five months ago.

“I understand because of COVID they couldn’t do all the activities down here, but that was something that I really wanted to see. And this is part of a bucket list, so checked!” said Kelly Robinson of Rockport, TX.

Read the rest of the story at GBH’s website.