This is an annual series documenting my volunteer shifts and outfits for the Salem Haunted Happenings Visitor Information Booth. Every October over 100 local volunteers, coordinated by Salem Main Streets, sign-up for 2-hour shifts on the weekends and holidays to assist visitors from all over the world by handing out guides, maps, and directions, and answering any questions the visitors may have. We had two locations fully staffed this year: the Information Booth on Washington Street (4 people at a time) and a tent on Salem Common (2 people at a time). The crowds this year were historic (estimated 1.2 million over the month, and over 100,000 just on the 28th), and I think my numbers show just a hint of that.

Date (Location) – Visitors helped per shift – outfit worn (reason why):
10/8 (Info Booth) – 234 – Ambassador Witch (because it’s my traditional first outfit)
10/9 (Salem Common) – 115 – Herbology Professor (because it was freezing cold out!)
10/14 (Info Booth) – 428 – Rhinestone Cowboy (see this post)
10/15 (Info Booth) – 398 – Rhinestone Cowboy (because it was too special not to repeat)
10/21 (Info Booth) – 568 – Gorton’s Fisherman (because it was pouring rain)
10/28 (Info Booth) – 621 (before lunch) – Orange Kilt (because it was unseasonably warm 86 degrees F)
10/28 (Info Booth) – 565 (after lunch) – Orange Kilt (because I didn’t have time to change)
10/29 (Salem Common) – 68 – Ravenclaw Alumnus (because it was slightly drizzly and cold)

I helped 2,997 people! This doesn’t count the dozens I helped each day while walking to or from my shifts. I always made sure I had a bag full of maps and brochures, just in case.

In addition to the booth, I also helped-out at the Howl-a-ween Pet Parade before my 10/14 shift, which had over 180 entries this year! I registered pets and helped the announcer identify each contestant by name and number so the judges could take note. We had groups of Guinea pigs, a parakeet, a chicken, groups of rabbits, a few cats, tons of dogs, and the master of ceremonies was a show duck accompanied by his handler, a US Senator. I wish I had had time to take pictures of all of the costumes, but I was too busy. There are some good ones here, here, and here.

Here are my six outfits:

Did I help you?!? Let me know in the comments!