SALEM | Bicentennial events Information on Salem's ongoing Bicentennial, Ohio Chautauqua and related events. For more information, contact the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce at (330) 337-3473.

Bicentennial Ball: The Red, White and Blue Bicentennial Ball from 7 p.m. to midnight June 30 will kick off 22 days of events. The ball will be at the Elks Lodge No. 305, 824 E. State St. Tickets are $75 at the chamber. Black tie is optional. Proceeds benefit the Bicentennial and Ohio Chautauqua events. Brief presentations during dinner will highlight Salem's industry, famous citizens and beautiful downtown areas. The main event will be the auction of the "Bicentennial Jewel," a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry designed specifically for the ball by Barbara Gillis of Gillis Studios in Salem. The piece is a pendant on a gold chain and features a gold, diamond-encrusted "S" and a dove in flight.
Tourism information: The Salem Tourism Advisory Board has updated its Web site at www.salemohio.com/tourism. The tourism site allows visitors to link to all major summer events in Salem, including the Bicentennial, the Zadok Street Arts Festival, Ohio Chautauqua, Historic Home and Garden Tour, Salem Steel Valley Super Nationals. The tourism site also has information on traditional venues like the Butler Institute of American Art/Salem. The Charles Burchfield, Homestead Society Museum, Salem Storybook Museum, Freedom Hall and the Salem Historical Society Museum. The Salem Tourism Advisory Board is a mayoral appointed volunteer board of Salem area citizens helping to promote Salem. All funds used by the board for the Web site and all other promotions are raised through the city bed tax. For more tourist information, call Salem's Tourism Hotline at (330) 337-9901, Ext. 108. The tourism phone is a free community service provided by Timberlanes of Salem to the tourism board.
Painting: The Friends Roastery and The Larwen Arts Council will present an evening with longtime professor Al Bright of Youngstown State University's art department and the Jesse Dandy Jazz Ensemble from Cleveland at 8 p.m. June 29 at Salem Community Theatre. Bright will paint to the ensemble's rhythm. A Creole-based dinner will follow. Bright's collection of African-American art will be displayed next door at the Roastery. The cost is $25. Call (330) 337-6962.
Source: Compiled by The Vindicator