Marblehead Gears Up For Summer

Owners of Mud Puddle Toys  Sam and Kristen Pollard say they are looking forward to a summer busier than last year. With plans to open a second store and an already busy spring, the Pollards say anything will be better than last year. 

"The summer months pick up," Sam Pollard said. "Weekend tourism from locals from the Boston area this spring has already picked up when the weather has been nice."

With the unofficial start of summer upon us, it's time to get your summer travel plans in order.

While last Memorial Day travel was in a slump due in large part to the weakened economy, experts are saying this Memorial Day will be different.

AAA is  forecasting 32.1 million Americans will travel more than 50 miles away from home, up from 30.5 million in 2009, a 5.4 percent increase. 

"I think tourism will definitely be up from last summer," Pollard said. 

Marblehead Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ann Marie Casey also says she is optimistic about the upcoming summer tourist season after a state-wide drop in tourism last year.

Casey points to the variety of festivals and events planned for the summer as a way to get people out in the community. 

"We get a lot of people who come in to town for the yacht clubs," Lisa Ciccia of Surfaces said. "We also get people who live off their boats in the summer and they do shop."

Pollard said over the last six years he has owned Mud Puddle Toys, he has seen a slow decline in people visiting the town each summer. 

"We used to get a lot of Europeans," Pollard said noting he meets few now. "That's probably due to the economy."

This weekend, Pollard and his wife will open a second Mud Puddle store in downtown Salem.

"We do look forward to having a good season and expect an increase," Pollard said. "Already this spring feels like there is more tourism."

Despite the fact,  2010 statewide grants to tourism were cut from $9 million to $2.5 million. Local tourism is on the rebound according to the Marblehead Chamber of Commerce. 

 One of the highlights of the summer according to Casey will be the Marblehead Festival of Arts, which takes place this year July 1 to 5. The events are designed to bring people into town but also provide activities to do for residents. 

The multi-discipline festival originated in 1962 and is going strong. Each day is packed with art exhibits, drama, musical acts, a kite festival, a film festival and regional food. 

July 10 and 11 will usher in another summer favorite; the annual Glover's Marblehead Regiment Summer Encampment. The 18th Century Revolutionary War Encampment at Fort Sewall, allows residents a glimpse into what it was like to live in this area during the Revolutionary War.