When Haunted Happenings was first held in 1982, it drew a crowd of about 50,000 people over the course of the event. Today, the city estimates that more than half a million people flock there each October – a huge boost for the local economy.

In fact, Salem now has one of the highest concentrations of witchcraft- and magic-themed shops in the US, many of which do booming business during the Halloween season.

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