Here is a page I will be updating with stories from my volunteer shifts at the visitor Information booth in Salem, MA for the month of October.  Cover photo is from a Vogue piece on visiting Salem.  I do not own the rights to it, I just thought it was beautiful.

Saturday 10/6 from 12-2pm:

I was so excited for my first shift of the season, that I was dressed and ready 2 hours early. Thankfully, the weather was cool enough to wear a costume I had made last year and never got to wear (because it was unseasonably hot). Presenting the premiere of the Herbology Professor:

Why yes, there is a Bowtruckle in my pocket.  I made the hat, the shirt, the cravat, and the vest, embroidered the consignment jacket and made the matching brown velvet knickers (not seen) with an acorn bell attached that announced my every move.  I had made the orange “?” sling bag last year for holding flyers, especially on rainy days when you need extra hands.  The orange object in my right hand is a clicker to count how many visitors you help per shift.

Most asked questions: “Where are the bathrooms?” and “Where should I eat?”

Celebrities: Broadway star Billy Porter

Surprises: got attacked by a friendly zombie when the Zombie Walk shuffled by, and had visits from a few friends.

Clicker (#of people helped during my shift): 227

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Sunday 10/7 from 12-2pm:

Still excited (and not learning my lesson from the day before), I was dressed 2 hours too early.  It was going to be a warm day, so I went with my black kilt, black & orange kneesocks, black converse hi-tops, my Georgia Made This Salem skull shirt and my homemade black witch hat (sorry, I don’t have any pictures).

Most asked questions:  “Closest bathroom?” and “Why is it so crowded?” and “Where can we drink?”

Most unique question:  “Where is the Salem Spoon store?”  It was an older gentleman, and he was looking for a decorative commemorative spoon that said “Salem.”  I always wondered who still bought those.  I’m happy to report that I could give him 3 locations.

Lots of friends stopped-by.  Some were hangry (and a little hungover from Darq Decade the night before).

Clicker: 336

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Saturday 10/20 – 12-2pm: 

Wow! There were a LOT of people in town. Every time the train came, a mob of hundreds of people came down the street. They closed Washington Street to traffic. I’ve only ever seen that on Halloween night or on the final weekend.

I went with my “Ambassador Witch” outfit, the first booth outfit I made 2 years ago. One of the booth organizers came in with her dog, and the dog’s leash was the same tartan fabric that I made my bow tie, hat band and pocket square out of!! What are the odds?!?

Again, bathrooms and where to eat were the biggies. Thankfully the new row of porta-potties for the carnival were installed close by. No more panicked looks when I explain to them that they have to walk 4 blocks through the crowd.

Most unique/singular: “Where can we buy lottery tickets?” and “Do you have a McDonalds?”

Best surprise: a woman from my hometown that I hadn’t seen in 30 years!

After my shift, my husband met me at the Visitor’s Center (indoor public bathrooms), and as I was waiting for him, I saw two older women walking by.  One of them turned and said “I remember you!”  I had remembered her as well.  She and her friend had stopped me on the Common on my way to the booth last year to take my picture and to ask me questions.  I even remember the questions: “Where is the crooked tree.”  I was stumped.  I asked her if she had ever found, and she said no.  I’d like to think that there are several people that go home remembering our interactions, or that someone will be excited to come back to the booth to tell me what a wonderful time they had, or tell me that they have helped them in some small way.

The tourists were all happy and friendly today. I didn’t encounter any grumpy or mean people, even with long lines and crowds.

Clicker: 474

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Sunday 10/21 – 12-2pm:

It was a balmy 40 degrees Fahrenheit today, so the Herbology Professor outfit won-out.  I was hoping to wear something different for each shift, but since this one never got a chance last year (it was too warm all month), I gave myself a pass.  I thought the velvet and the layers would keep me warm.

Unfortunately, the gusts of wind made it an unfriendly hat day.  Still, I (and hundreds of others in witch hats) persevered.

The cold weather and wind definitely kept some people away or indoors.

Bathrooms, where to eat, “Where is the Witch Museum?” (Which Witch Museum? We have 4…), and “What should I do?” were all very popular today.

Singular question (not unique):  “Where did you burn the witches?” (Answer: Europe.  Ours were hanged or pressed to death) and “Where can I get the best cup of chowder?”

I was excited when people had clearly done their homework, or had suggestions from friends.  As a volunteer, I cannot give single suggestions.  We try to narrow-down ideas based on what they are looking for (quick service, seafood, bar, pizza, etc) and give them several choices without showing favoritism.  I was happy to send people to Mr. Crepe and to Turtle Alley Chocolates when they asked for them by name today!

After my shift, I went and bought another shirt from Die with your Boots On and picked-up some small vials at Artemisia Botanicals.  On my way home, I was stopped by 3 different groups looking for information and one man that walked with me for several blocks asking questions.  I’m not counting them in my clicker count.

I’m sad there is only one weekend left.

Clicker: 372

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Saturday 10/27 – 10-12pm Booth:

Well, a nor’easter ruined many people’s plans for this Saturday. Street vendors scrambled to set-up for the Friday Night Market, or move to indoor spaces, or reschedule for Sunday’s street fair. There were still lines outside (covered) the Salem Witch Museum and I passed 2 tours full of people with umbrellas and ponchos.

I went with a wind and rain friendly outfit – horns instead of a hat and a sweater for the chill.

There were crowds of intrepid tourists in town, so we brave few kept our shifts, but stayed inside the booth.

Mostly the questions revolved around what was open and what was inside. A lot of the tourists had booked this trip and were making the most of it. Many had come in for the Devil’s Chase 6.66 miler that had finished just before the winds and rain had started and wanted to see things before heading home.

Clicker: 108

Saturday 10/27 – 12:30-2pm Shuttle Bus Drop-off:

Cancelled due to weather.

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Sunday 10/28 – 12-2pm:

Sunday was a completely different day. While the ground was still wet, and the clouds were departing, it was the kind of perfect Fall day that makes you want to visit New England.

I decided one last Ambassador Witch was due to close out my shifts for the season.

As I got to the booth, I noticed that only two of us were scheduled. My pregnant city councilor (who would obviously be inside) and myself. I would be alone outside for 2 hours on the last weekend day before Halloween. The only weekend option if you discount the horrible weather the day before. This was going to be fun!!

My partner for the shift insisted I stand in front of her window so she could get a picture:

There was a great energy in the city. People were friendly and chatty. More than any other shift, I had people come with plans prepared. They knew which Witch Museum they were looking for, or had specific locations they needed pointing to. While we always have “what should we do?” people, I appreciate those that come with an idea of what they are looking for.

I had several groups come back to ask me follow-up questions, or ‘check-in’ to tell me what they had done. Tons of friends stopped by as they passed through town, and my energy never wavered. All-in-all, I was surprised and a little was when it was over. I was having fun.

Clicker 450

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Running Season Total of Visitors Helped:

1967

The other booth volunteers were always impressed with my numbers. My remark was always the same: “I’m aggressively helpful.” If someone is staring at their phone trying to use GPS to find something, or I overhear a conversation while they are waiting to cross the street, I will jump in to help. In that same vein, I could easily bring the number up to or slight over 2000 if you count those I helped just walking around downtown wearing my button.

Post-Mortems:

The Visitor Info Booth helped over 20,000 visitors (clicks) from 6 continents in the month of October. I heard we had over 400,000 people visit on Halloween night.