Press Release—The Witches of Salem Invite Visitors to Celebrate the Spirits this Halloween Season at Annual Festival of the Dead
Salem, MA -- July 17, 2003 -- Festival of the Dead, an annual two-week Halloween celebration beginning on October 19 in Salem, Massachusetts, explores death's macabre customs, heretical histories, and strange rituals. Hosted by the foremost authorities on the spirit world, the events include a series of rituals, workshops, psychic fairs, nocturnal gatherings, and is crowned by the Official Salem Witches' Halloween Ball on October 31. Founded by Salem Witch elders Shawn Poirier and Christian Day, Festival of the Dead beckons guests to step through the veil into a realm where spirits await. Tickets are available online at www.festivalofthedead.com.

Festival of the Dead explores death's mysteries through a variety of compelling events that investigate both the accepted and forbidden ways in which cultures have revered, celebrated, and even secretly divined the meaning of life's inevitable destination. Participants learn to use spirit boards, train in the arts of necromancy, communicate with departed loved ones in an authentic séance, slay their fears and bad habits, meet real vampires, attend a voodoo graveyard ceremony, and even dine with the dead.

This year's festival is marked by the return of the Annual Psychic Fair and Witchcraft Expo to Salem's Old Town Hall, a fitting marriage of history and mystery.

On Halloween Night, the festivities culminate in a celebration of the afterlife with The Official Salem Witches Halloween Ball, a masquerade of food, dancing, music, and ritual where the dead cavort with the living and spells are cast for the Witches' new year.

Death continues to captivate our imagination, beckoning us to journey into unknown realms and destinations beyond. Learn more about Festival of the Dead, contact event hosts, or purchase tickets online at www.festivalofthedead.com.

About Shawn Poirier and Christian Day
Shawn Poirier is the founder and High Priest of the Salem Tradition of Witchcraft and is an internationally renowned psychic and medium. Christian Day is an elder and scholar of Salem Witchcraft and founder of SalemTarot.com, a popular Web destination for Tarot enthusiasts. Shawn and Christian have been featured in such media as Showtime, The Discovery Channel, The Travel Channel, the BBC, MTV, The Joan Rivers Show, Playgirl, Sports Illustrated, Artisan Films, and, (of course) The Salem Evening News.

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