Hot? Head for Salisbury Beach

Events in the beach center are free and open to the public throughout the summer.

Beach-goers can get a feel for the `50s with the Saturday Night Sock Hop, featuring disc jockey Gary Francis.

A well-known radio DJ, Francis' huge record collection features dance hits from the `50s, `60s and `70s that he uses to turn the Broadway Mall into a giant dance floor. Concerts begin at 8 p.m.

Antique and hot rod car shows will be offered for auto enthusiasts on most Saturday nights.

The July 4 weekend will be filled with entertainment and fireworks. Visitors can enjoy fireworks on the nights of July 3, 4 and 5.

On Friday, July 3, the C-Jammers will provide Friday Night Music on the Mall courtesy of a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Fireworks start at 10:45 p.m.

The B-Street Bombers will perform at Salisbury Beach at 8 p.m. on July 10 and Aug. 14 and on July 17, Dawn Hayes will draw the winning Massachusetts Lottery Live numbers for that week right at the beach center.

Come July 24, Moby Dick and the Wailers will play at 8 p.m. at the beach. Then, the C-Jammers return on July 31.

Salisbury Beach State Reservation features a new playground for children and a new, bigger boat ramp. Three modern bath houses are open to the public. Two of them feature outdoor showers. All are handicapped accessible.

Reservation staff also want visitors to know alcohol will not be allowed in the park this year. Repeat violators face fines.

Visitors can also check on the progress of a new, outdoor pavilion for functions, which is under construction this year.

The state has added three new boardwalks to the one already existing. Two wheelchairs that can travel over sand will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The radio station WHEB-FM of Portsmouth will feature a beach dig on July 11, where participants dig for coupons.

A celebration marking the 100th anniversary of the state's park system will be held on the reservation in mid-July.

Salisbury Beach State Reservation

The reservation offers 484 campsites, 324 of which have electricity. They can be reserved by phone in advance for a stay of up to two weeks, though most are taken by the beginning of summer.

Fees are $7 per night for a non-electric site and $9 for one with electricity. On the busiest weekends, campsites are often full by Thursday.

The reservation has 2,000 parking spaces for day use. Fees for the day are $2 per car. Season passes are also available at the reservation and Massachusetts residents of ages 62 or older and vehicles with handicap license plates can get free passes to the reservation.

The reservation also offers nature trails and a junior ranger program for youngsters.

Lifeguards will be on duty on the three-quarters mile of beach from the rocks near the Merrimack River to the Pavilion.

Information about camping and day visits to the reservation is available by calling (508) 462-4481.

For information on Salisbury events sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce or information on lodging and restaurants, contact the chamber at (508) 465-3581, or, for non-local calls, (800) 779-1771.

To mark the end of the summer, the Salisbury Historical Commission's annual Old Fashioned Days will be held the weekend after Labor Day in Salisbury Square on the town green. For craft table space, call Carol Sargent at 465-5546.

Pettengill Farms on Ferry Road will again hold its annual scarecrow competition to benefit the Santa's Helper Program, which provides food and clothing for needy families during the holidays. Contestants can enter their scarecrows, which will be judged in several categories, beginning in early October.

Decorated scarecrows can be set up throughout October, with judging at month's end. Scary hayrides will also be offered at the farm throughout the month. For more information, call 462-3675.

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