ESSEX COUNTY — Essex National Heritage Area will formally open its 25th anniversary season of Trails & Sails with a kickoff event on July 28.
WHEN:
Tuesday, July 28, 9-10 a.m.
WHERE:
Armory Park, New Liberty Street, Salem (between the Peabody Essex Museum and the Salem Armory Visitor Center. Parking recommended at Museum Place Garage, 1 Church St.)
WHO:
- Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll
- Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo
- Annie Harris, CEO of Essex Heritage
- Representatives of the U.S. Congress, state House of Representatives, and state Senate
- Cheri Grishin, Director of Operations, Essex Heritage
- Representatives of seven Trails & Sails host organizations
WHAT:
Trails & Sails, the beloved annual tradition and event series that invites residents and visitors to discover the history, culture, and natural beauty of Essex County, is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2026.
Essex National Heritage Area will formally kick off its anniversary season with a public ceremony at Salem’s Armory Park on Tuesday, July 28.
Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo, Essex Heritage CEO Annie Harris and other dignitaries will make brief remarks. This will be followed by presentation of citations from Gov. Maura Healey, Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, the state House of Representatives, state Senate, and Congress.
The event also will include a “Taste of Trails & Sails 2026” presented by several
of the Trails & Sails site partners. Attendees can learn more about Essex Heritage National Area, and Trails & Sails partners Danvers Historical Society, Mass Audubon, Marblehead Museum, North Andover Historical Society, Salem Sound Coastwatch, and Peabody Essex Museum. These partners will offer a preview of this year’s Trails & Sails themes: “Essex County Revolution 250,” “Outdoor Explorations,” “Life by the Water,” and “Stories We Share.”
All attendees will receive a complimentary copy of the comprehensive Trails & Sails printed guidebook.
Trails & Sails will take place Sept. 12-27, 2026.
Media interested in attending are asked to RSVP to Tom Zuppa, tom@jgpr.net, no later than Monday, July 27, at 3 p.m.
About Trails & Sails
Trails & Sails is an annual signature event of the Essex National Heritage Area, encouraging people to explore 34 communities and 500 square miles of extraordinary historical, cultural, and natural assets in northeastern Massachusetts.
All events are free, including guided hikes, behind-the-scenes tours of historic and cultural sites, boat trips, cultural celebrations, and adventures for family members of all ages. Through community partnerships, Trails & Sails offers accessible experiences that connect people with the stories, landscapes, and traditions that define the region.
Since 2002, Trails & Sails has welcomed more than 175,000 visitors who have experienced the places that make Essex County special: from birdwatching on Plum Island, to exploring Den Rock Park in Lawrence, to historical sites from Saugus to Salem. The beauty and history of the Essex National Heritage Area is an incredible place to explore with family and friends.
This milestone year marks a shared history of community engagement, exploration, empowerment and connection with the region’s parks, waterways, historic sites and iconic cultural institutions.
This year, as the nation commemorates America250, participants can expect to see historical reenactments, historic artisan demonstrations, interactive exhibits, and a wide variety of community-driven experiences designed for all ages and interests.
Many organizations have already committed to participating this year, with more than 200 events listed on the Trails & Sails event calendar.
Trails & Sails is your ticket to adventure across Essex County, Massachusetts — a region recognized as a National Heritage Area for its rich history, cultural treasures, and natural landscapes. Each September, this vibrant event series provides access to hundreds of unique experiences such as guided hikes and paddles to behind-the-scenes tours, historic reenactments, interactive exhibits, artisan demos, community celebrations, and much more. Whether you’re a history buff, nature lover, or curious to discover something new to love in your own backyard, Trails & Sails has something for everyone.
About Essex Heritage
Essex National Heritage Commission (Essex Heritage) is a non-profit organization that has been federally authorized to work in partnership to oversee the unique heritage resources of the Essex National Heritage Area. Our mission is to preserve and enhance the historic, cultural, and natural resources of the Essex National Heritage Area located in Essex County, Massachusetts. The Essex National Heritage Area was created as an act of Congress in 1996 and encompasses the 34 cities and towns of Essex County, Massachusetts. It includes two National Parks (Salem Maritime National Historic Site and Saugus Ironworks National Historic Site) and the US Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. There are also several state parks, thousands of acres of conservation land, and numerous museums, historic houses and heritage sites that are open to the public and owned/managed by non-profit organizations and municipal governments.
Where to learn more about Trails & Sails events
As always, all events are free to the public, though some may require advance registration. You may find them at www.trailsandsails.org or in the popular guidebook, which will be distributed in August.
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