Wicked Half Marathon Brings Rolling Road Closures To Salem
Salem shuts down stretches of downtown Sunday morning for the Wicked Half Marathon, a citywide road race that starts at 7 a.m. and will send rolling closures through the course, even as the city wrapped a busy weekend that included a new eco-rider showcase and a relocated community book swap.
TOWN HALL
The City of Salem is advising residents that the Wicked Half Marathon will begin Sunday, September 20 at 7 a.m., with rolling road blocks in place as runners move through the course. Drivers in affected areas should expect delays throughout the morning.
On Saturday, the city hosted the second annual Volt & Vibe: An Eco-Rider Showcase from 1 to 4 p.m. at Salem State University along the Marblehead Rail Trail, part of the city's ongoing push on micromobility options such as e-bikes and scooters.
Salem's Park, Recreation and Community Services department also released its October newsletter this week, outlining programming for the coming month.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
The City of Salem and the Preservation in a Changing Climate Committee will hold their sixth annual conference on Wednesday, September 23 at the Peabody Essex Museum, focused on how climate impacts are affecting the region's historic resources.
Zero Waste Salem's free book swap returned Saturday at a new location, the Horace Mann Laboratory School gym at 79 Willson Street, running from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with free books, CDs, records, puzzles and greeting cards for attendees. Separately, the Salem Beautification Committee is inviting residents of all ages to enter its Salem 400+ Luna Coloring Contest as part of the city's quadricentennial Halloween season.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
"North Shore City To Scrap 'Offensive' City Seal After Nearly 2 Centuries" is how Salem Patch headlined a look at the long-running fight over the city's 1839 seal, which depicts a Sumatran spice trader and has drawn years of contentious debate, per Salem Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/salem).
"Salem Halloween 2026: 'Hocus Pocus' Screening With Film Stars At Derby Square" will anchor a month of Creative Collection programming this October, according to Salem Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/salem).
"Salem To Host Volt & Vibe Eco-Rider Showcase" was also covered by Salem Patch, a story the city's News Flash covered today as well, noting the event's focus on e-bikes and scooters at Salem State (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/salem).
"Fans are 'fighting the urge' to drive to Salem after seeing new Dunkin' Donuts merch" got attention this weekend after new gear tied to the chain's Salem, Massachusetts location circulated online, according to Unilad (read it at https://www.unilad.com/news/us-news/salem-dunkin-donuts-merch-747562-20260920).
COMING UP
Housing Stability drop-in hours (Estabilidad de Vivienda) are scheduled for Wednesday, September 23 from 9 a.m. to noon at 401 Bridge Street.
The Salem High School Building Committee meets Thursday, September 24 at 6 p.m. at 29 Highland Ave.
The city's online survey on the image and design direction of the new Salem High School closes September 23.
Mayor's Night Out, a Salem 400+ signature event featuring trick-or-treating, free museum admissions, garage parking and merchant specials, is set for Friday, September 25.
Compiled from official town feeds, community organizations, and local press. Outside reporting is attributed inline.