Besides its haunted history, the city of Salem is most well known for its spooky events that happen during the month of October. This year is no different, with the 6th annual Salem Night Faire, hosted by Black Veil Tattoo, at the Pioneer Village.
Founded by twins Ryan and Matthew Murray, who own and operate the tattoo shop Black Veil Studio, the faire highlights local artists while showing visitors what lies “beyond the veil.” The event is hosted for two weekends towards the end of October, this year being Oct. 20-21 and Oct. 27-28 from 5-10 p.m.
With a $5 entrance fee, donated directly back to the Pioneer Village, once you enter you are instantly transported into a world where the dark and scary is more than just what is seen in the movies. The performers around each corner are around for photos and for a tip. They will interact with each person by either handing out pieces of paper or telling them stories.
However, the actors are not the main part of the faire. There are over 50 artists who set up their booths to sell the art they’ve created or vintage pieces that they have collected. The art ranged from pottery to drawings, candles and even altar kits. Each piece is handmade and sold by the artists themselves.
A couple of standout booths included “The Gravestone Girls” and “Omnia Studios” which both had original artwork that was created by the founders of the brand.
“The Gravestone Girls” is a company that gets permission from cemeteries to take imprints from headstones of certain embellishments that adorn the stones around the name and dates that are on the stone. This company creates these imprints to use as wall decor or even magnets. Along with each piece comes the story behind what the etching is and whose stone it is taken from. Each piece is handled with care and has a very specific story around it which makes it more personal for anyone who would want to purchase a piece.
“Omnia Studios” sells jewelry that is all handmade with extremely intricate designs. Each ring, necklace or pair of earrings are created with all things nocturnal in mind.
Many of their designs are planchets, claws or even snake scales, yet jewelry is not the only thing they specialize in.
They have other handmade pieces like enamel pins. One of the more intriguing parts of their shop is the antique section full of oddities that you would not normally find in just any antique shop, from vintage photographs to jewelry boxes and pressed flowers in antique frames. The variation from this shop gave patrons an opportunity to learn more about the past while getting some modern everyday jewelry.
One more booth that was a crowd favorite was the one that was hosted by Black Veil Studio, where they were selling artwork and t-shirts for the event. Most patrons found out about the faire through the shop and were delighted to have the opportunity to shop through some of their designs.
The faire was not only full of creepy costumes and shopping but there were also a few food trucks and a biergarten where visitors could grab something to snack and sip on while wandering through the tents of merchandise.
The Salem Night Faire is a wonderful place not only for adults but for children too. Throughout the faire families were posing with the actors and young children were begging to interact with the different creatures.
The experience of the Night Faire was unforgettable and a place that should get more recognition. Not only are you entranced with the ambiance of the darkness all around but you are also supporting local and distant artists and collecting memories that will last forever.
