History

Family Forest Festival

Join Mass Audubon to celebrate the forest with your family at the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary.

Journey back in time with Mass Audubon and the Topsfield Historical Society on a child-friendly guided hike with hands-on games and activities to learn about the people and wildlife who have called these forests home. Try your hand at building a kid-sized log cabin, see and use real historical carpentry tools, and learn the names and stories of the towering trees and woodland wildlife all around us. Late fall is a wonderful time to take a hike with friends and family and give thanks for the resources and beauty that nature provides for us all. The hike is approximately 1 hour long, set at a leisurely pace with stops to explore. Fun forest activities, snacks, hot drinks, and a roaring fire in our cozy barn are ongoing throughout the program.

When:

Saturday, November 23, 2019 1-4pm

Location:

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

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Essex Police Department's Annual Car Show

Essex MA Annual Car Show hosted by the Essex Police Department

Come to the 6th Annual Classic Car Show in Essex. Find Antiques, Classics, Muscle, Special Interest, Trucks and Motorcycles. The show is centrally located in Essex MA with antique and specialty shops and restaurants within walking distance. Don’t miss this very special opportunity to enjoy Essex.Sponsored by First Ipswich Bank.

When:

Sunday, September 29, 2019 1 - 4pm

Location:

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Vikings in Port

Vikings come to Derby Wharf in Salem Massachusetts as part of Trails and Sails!

Experience life on and around an authentic Viking ship. Vikings are known for their “raiding and trading” but they were also master crafters in wood, metal and fabric arts. Based around our flagship Polaris, visitors will get to see, feel, and hear the sounds of costume, metal working, and wood working. They will get to experience what it was like aboard a small Viking longship and even try their hand at rowing.

When:

Daily, September 21-25, 2019 9am-7pm

Location:

Salem Maritime National Historic Site

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Historic Ice House Tours

Tour Cape Pond Ice and chill with the coolest guys in town!

Chill with the coolest guys in town! Enjoy a cool visit to Cape Pond Ice Company, icing Gloucester's fleet since 1848. We were featured in Sebastian Junger's account of The Perfect Storm. Tours highlight the history of the ice industry, with vintage film of natural ice harvests. See first hand 300-pound block ice being made (up to 350 tons per day), fishing vessels taking on ice and ice sculptures being carved in our historic icehouse on Gloucester's working waterfront. Part of Trails & Sails

When:

Saturdays, September 21 & 29, 2019 11am-Noon

Location:

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Medicine in Colonial Salem - Witch House

Learn about colonial medecine at the Witch House in Salem Massachusetts as part of Trails and Sails!

Join us at the Witch House and Pioneer Village for a look at medicinal curiosities from the 17th century. At the Corwin House (a.k.a. the Witch House) we will share an exhibit featuring some of the more startling remedies our New England settlers trusted such as “snail water” and “skull moss”. The exhibit will be included in admission and free to Trails and Sails attendees each day of the festival.

When:

Saturdays and Sundays, September 21-29, 2019 10am-4:45pm

Location:

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Privateer Trail Walking Tour

Tour the Privateer Trails in Beverly MA as part of Trails & Sails!

Join Historic Beverly on a journey through Beverly to visit the homes and businesses of some of Beverly's most famous privateers, including the legendary Hugh Hill! We will also experience some beautiful waterfront views as our guides explain how these sites would have looked and been used. Walking tours offer insight into the hidden history of Beverly and introduce you to its key events and major figures. Rain or shine; in case of severe weather, check with us that day. Part of Trails & Sails!

When:

Saturday, September 20, 2019 2-3:30pm

Location:

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USCG Tall Ship Eagle Comes to Salem!

USCG United States Coast Gaurd Cutter Barque Eagle comes to Salem Massachusetts!

The Coast Guard Barque EAGLE is making a port call in Salem, MA this August - arriving August 9 and staying through August 11! The ship was built in 1936 in Germany, and commissioned as Horst Wessel, one of three sail training ships operated by the pre-World War II German navy. At the close of World War II, Horst Wessel was taken as a war reparation by the United States, recommissioned as the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Eagle and sailed to New London, Connecticut. Eagle provides an unparalleled at-sea leadership and professional development experience for future officers of the U.S. Coast Guard.

When:

Friday, August 9, 2019 Noon-7pm

Saturday, August 10, 2019 10am-2pm

Sunday, August 11, 2019 10am-7pm

Location:

Wharf at Blaney Street

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Salem's Essex Street Fair

Take advantage of the Massachusetts Tax Holiday at the Essex Street Fair Salem!

The Essex Street Fair is a two-day event held in downtown Salem and is part of the Slemn Heritage Festivities! Come visit the Essex Street Fair during Salem Heritage Days to see over 40 vendors, listen to some live music, and enjoy historic Salem. Vendor sales include jewelry, handmade crafts, art, food, and much more! The Essex Street Fair will be held along the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall and you can shop on Saturday & Sunday, August 11 & 12, from 10am-6pm. This event brings thousands of visitors, so you do not want to miss out!

When:

Saturday, August 10, 2019 10am-6pm

Sunday, August 11, 2019 10am-6pm

Location:

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Plum Island Jet Rally

The Plum Island RC Jet Rally is hosted by Plum Island Airport RC Club in Newburyport Massachusetts!

Plum Island Airport RC Club's Jet Rally is a 5 day event of RC fun! Come for 5 full days of non stop RC Jet action at the Plum Island Airport. There will be pilots from all over the East Coast and Canada showing off their impressive aircraft and piloting skills.

When:

Wednesday June 12 - Sunday June 16, 2019

Location:

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Battle for Newbury at Spencer-Peirce

Come see a historical demonstration of militia encampment and battle demonstrations at Spencer Pierce Little Farm.

Meet Revolutionary War soldiers from both sides of the conflict. Members of the Continental Line and His Majesty's 10th Regiment of Foot will enact a battle to see what might have happened if the British had tried to recapture Boston by way of the Massachusetts North Shore. See colonial crafts and trades, mingle with reenactors, tour the camps, watch musket and cannon demonstrations, and take part in kids’ activities and games. Tour the 1690 manor house, the home of two of Newburyport’s Revolutionary War heroes! Sip an Ipswich Ale Brewery cask ale, a local beer brewed in the old style.

When:

Saturday, June 8, 2019 11am-5pm

Sunday, June 9, 2019 11am-2pm

Location:

Spencer Peirce Little Farm