Getting to Salem
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There are numerous transportation options available for individuals traveling to Salem. One such option is the MBTA Commuter Rail, which offers connectivity between Salem and Boston’s North Station via the Newburyport and Rockport Lines. Here’s the website for more information: https://www.mbta.com/schedules/CR-Newburyport/timetable.
Bus Service is also a good option. There are several routes available, including #435 or #456 Salem to Lynn, #450 Salem to Wonderland or Haymarket in Boston, #451 Salem to North Beverly, and #455 Salem to Revere Beach.
Salem offers the Salem Skipper mobile app, which allows users to book a ride and be matched with other passengers heading in the same direction. Tickets are $2 each, $3 each after 7pm ($1 for senior citizens, middle and high school students, and people with disabilities) and has various stops and can meet you wherever you are. You can call (844) 983-1842 to book or Download the Salem Skipper app and create an account. “Book a ride. Enter your pickup and drop-off addresses and choose the ride option that works for you. Meet your driver. Check the app to find out exactly where to meet the vehicle, which may be a short walk from the address you gave us.” The skipper offers transportation to and from the commuter rail, too. Here is more info on their service: https://www.salemma.gov/mobility-services/pages/salem-skipper
Bluebikes Salem is another great option, and additional information can be found on their website: https://www.bluebikes.com.
Lastly, Salem also offers a community car share program, through the Getaround platform. To sign up, simply visit Getaround.com or download the Getaround app to your phone.
Visit: salem.org/travel-info/parking/ – Download the passport parking app and save quarters! You can also check out Salem’s page for an interactive parking map and information on reserved parking spaces: salemma.gov/parking/pages/parking-rates-locations-hours
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There are many hotels, Inns and B&Bs in Salem so you have a wide range of accommodation options. For more information，please visit：https://www.salem.org/places-to-stay/regional-accommodations/
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Visit: salem.org/travel-info/parking/ – Download the passport parking app and save quarters! You can also check out Salem’s page for an interactive parking map and information on reserved parking spaces: salemma.gov/parking/pages/parking-rates-locations-hours
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Salem has lots of great restaurants. You can walk around and find a delicious spot, or check out salem.org/food-and-drink/all/ for a list of restaurants.
FAQ
#masspoetryfestival
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Mass Poetry, a nonprofit organization that supports poets and poetry and broadens the audience for poetry in Massachusetts, puts on the festival. This is our 12th year hosting it. The Mass Poetry Festival began in Lowell in 2008 and has been in Salem for many years. After the virtual Festival in 2018, this is our first year back on the ground.
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From May 5-7, you can go to the PEM Connect building (161 Essex St, Salem, MA 01970 located to the left of the entrance to the Peabody Essex Museum) with a credit card/cash. At any time you can visit festival.masspoetry.org/register/
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General admission is $60 for the weekend and students, speakers, and volunteers can attend for free. We also offer a pay what you can option and financial need free admission.
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General admission is $30 for a single day.
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General admission grants you access to all Festival programming, including panels, performances, readings, and headline events. Workshops have a limited capacity and will be on a first come first served basis.
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When you first arrive in Salem, check in to headquarters and pick up your Festival button. The Festival button grants you access to Festival events throughout the entire weekend. Headquarters this year is in the PEM Connect Building (135 Essex St in Salem), which is directly next to the PEM’s main entrance. If you have already registered for a ticket through Eventbrite, you can also pick up your buttons at our info booth on Essex St (outdoors near Old Town Hall) or inside the Peabody Essex Museum at our info table. If you haven’t yet reserved an Eventbrite ticket, we recommend pre-registering to save time when you arrive at the Festival: Pre-Registration Link.
Headquarters Hours:
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Friday: 12-7
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Saturday: 9-6
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Sunday: 9-5
If you are coming in for an evening event outside of headquarters hours, go straight to the event venue and volunteers there will be able to assist you.
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No worries! As long as we have your name on Eventbrite, you’ll be fine to check in without the printed fest tickets. On the day of the Festival, please check in at headquarters at the PEM Connect Building (brick building next to Peabody Essex Museum – 135 Essex Street, Salem, MA 01970. When you check in, you’ll get your Festival buttons which will get you into the PEM and all other events.
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Workshops and events are first come, first serve – no registration required. We recommend getting there a little early if you want to ensure a spot! The Sched is for making your own personal schedule and for keeping track of events you want to attend.
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You can go to https://masspoetryfest2023.sched.com/ and select the “sign up” button in the top corner. From there, you can make an account with your email and once you do that you’re all set to start adding events to your own schedule! It will definitely be easier on a desktop. There is also a Sched app! The app is free and easy to use. Once you make an account on the app, you can search for the festival and start from there.
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Printed copies of the schedule will be available at several spots during the Festival. There are limited copies and we ask that you share with your group if possible! When you arrive at the Festival, you can pick them up at these locations:
- Festival Headquarters in PEM Connect (brick building to the left of the Peabody Essex Museum – 161 Essex St, Salem, MA 01970)
- Info Booth in front of Old Town Hall (32 Derby Square, Salem, MA 01970)
- Festival table in the PEM lobby
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Each of our venues has a restroom. You can also use the public restroom at Destination Salem, address: 245 Derby St. There is also a public restroom on Artists’ Row (24 New Derby St).
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The Small Press Fair takes place on Saturday, May 6, from 11 am – 4pm. It is outside on the EssexStreet Pedestrian Mall walkway by the PEM. Rain Check Location: Witch City Mall (formerly: Museum Place Mall).
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Each venue is, yes.
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All virtual Bridging the Gap Lead Up events will be available on YouTube after the Festival. A selection of live panels and readings will be recorded and uploaded to YouTube.
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You can put a check or cash with your information in this envelope, or fill out your credit card info. You can also visit festival.masspoetry.org/support-us/donate/
Please email questions to [email protected]