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OSD General Information

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact us if you've got more questions and we'll do our best to answer!

  • What types of items are crafters allowed to sell at Olde Salem Days?

    Only handmade or hand altered arts and crafts are allowed. Bake sale items must be home-baked goods only. In order to preserve the authenticity of Olde Salem Days, anyone selling an item that is not handmade, hand altered, or home-baked will be promptly removed from the show and will not be permitted to participate in future shows.

  • What size is each crafter space?

    All spaces are on the street, adjacent to the sidewalk and are 15 feet wide and extend 10 feet from the sidewalk into the street. Storage or display of items on the sidewalks is prohibited. Sidewalks are to remain clear for pedestrians at all times.

  • Why do I not have the space I requested?

    The Olde Salem Days committee tries to honor the reasonable requests of all applicants. Some spaces have been altered or eliminated by improvements the City is making to the downtown streets. The registration form includes places for past participants to indicate whether you would like to keep your current location or request a change. Space assignments are made on a first come, first served basis with priority given to crafters who take advantage of our early registration date. The best way to ensure your request for year’s event will be granted is to apply on the day of this year’s event.

  • What happens if I arrive late or must cancel last minute?

    If you know that you will not be able to set up in the allotted time frame, please call the Rotary Club of Salem at (540) 772-8871 and leave a message before 8:15am the day of the show. If you do not contact us before 8:15am, we reserve the right to resell your space and retain your entry fee.

  • What happens if we have inclement weather?

    Olde Salem Days cannot be rescheduled and is held regardless of the weather. In the event of inclement weather, there will be no refunds.

  • Who is responsible for all applicable taxes?

    Individual crafters are responsible for calculating and paying sales taxes. See the enclosed tax information provided by the City of Salem.

  • Where may I get an early registration form for the next year’s Olde Salem Days?

    There are three ways to secure an application for the next OSD. First, an application is included in your space assignment packet for the current year. Second, next year’s applications will be available at the registration tent on the day of the current event. And third, an application can be downloaded from www.oldesalemdays.com. Submitting your application for next year’s event on the day of this year’s event will result in a substantial reduction in the application fee (known as the Early Bird Rate). You must submit the application and payment by 4:30pm at the Registration/Information booth in order to take advantage of the Early Bird Rate.

  • Are electricity, water, or other services provided?

    No. All spaces are on the street with no services available.

  • Are crafters allowed to bring generators?

    Absolutely no generators are allowed.

Set up:

  • Do I have to check-in if I have paid and know my booth location?

    No. Starting this year crafters may proceed directly to their space and begin setup at the assigned time. Rotarians will be circulating to make sure everyone is set up in the proper spaces and to relay your arrival to the registration tent. If you have any difficulty finding your space or need additional assistance, please come to the Registration/Information Booth located across from the Library on Main Street.

  • When may I setup my space?

    The streets will be barricaded and closed to all traffic including crafters until 6:30am. At 6:30am the barricades will be removed and only crafter vehicles will be allowed to enter the event area to setup. The City of Salem may ticket anyone setting up on the street or sidewalk prior to 6:30am. Setup time ends at 8:30am. All crafter vehicles must exit the event area no later than 8:30am.

  • May I pull my vehicle up to my space to unload during setup?

    Yes, you may pull your vehicle up to your space and unload provided you do not block the traffic pattern of other crafters.

Break down:

  • When may I break down my space?

    All sales must stop at 4:30pm. You should start breaking down your space no later than 4:30pm, and you must complete breakdown before 5:30pm. The barricades will be removed and the streets will be opened to crafter vehicles only beginning at 4:30pm.

  • May I pull my vehicle up to my space during break down?

    Yes, beginning at 4:30pm crafter vehicles only will be allowed to enter the event area in the same pattern as the morning setup. You may park directly in front of your space while you load the vehicle provided you do not block other crafter vehicles.

  • What if I need extra time to pack up and load vehicle?

    You must be off the street by 5:30pm. The City crews begin cleaning the streets promptly at 5:30pm. If you can not pack up and load your vehicle in the time allowed then you will need to start packing up earlier. The City may ticket any crafter vehicle on the street that is blocking clean up efforts.

Directions to Olde Salem Days

  • From South i-81

    Take Exit 137
    At the end of the ramp, turn right onto Wildwood Road
    At the first traffic light, turn left onto Main Street
    Continue traveling east on Main Street to Olde Salem Days show area
    Main Street will be closed to west bound traffic, becoming one-way after 7am
    You will be headed in the correct direction to have access to the show area

  • From North I-81

    Take Exit 140
    At the end of the ramp, merge right onto Route 311 (Thompson Memorial Drive)
    At the second traffic light, continue straight. Do not turn onto Main Street after 7am
    Main Street will be closed to west bound traffic, becoming one-way after 7am
    At the next traffic light, continue straight onto Burwell Street
    At second stop sign turn right onto Broad Street
    At rst intersection, turn left onto Calhoun Street
    At second stop sign, turn right onto Chestnut Street
    At the first traffic light, turn right onto Main Street

  • From West Rte 460 & RTE 11

    Continue traveling east on 460/11 downtown to the Olde Salem Days show area Main Street will be closed to west bound traffic, becoming one-way after 7am. You will be headed the correct direction to have access to the show area.

  • From East RTE 460

    Continue on 460 to the intersection of Route 311 (Thompson Memorial Drive)
    Do NOT continue onto Main Street after 7am
    Main Street will be closed to west bound traffic, becoming one-way after 7am
    Turn left onto Thompson Memorial Drive.
    At the next traffic light, continue straight onto Burwell Street
    At second stop sign turn right onto Broad Street
    At first intersection, turn left onto Calhoun Street
    At second stop sign, turn right onto Chestnut Street
    At the first traffic light, turn right onto Main Street

Olde Salem Days Maps

Map of downtown Salem area showing OSD layout.