Massachusetts

Nice weather trumps brush fires as Halloween horde flocks to Salem

"There may have been some folks who saw the news about the brush fires and thought they might want to wait until the weekend to come visit," Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo said

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For Halloween in the Witch City, the crowds weren't spooked by the brush fires that have smoldered nearby. That's because the weather couldn't be more perfect for the pinnacle of "Haunted Happenings" in Salem, Massachusetts.

Creepy costumed visitors flooded the streets of downtown Salem despite the smoke in the air, which might have kept some witches from flying in for the festivities.

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"There may have been some folks who saw the news about the brush fires and thought they might want to wait until the weekend to come visit," Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo said.

City officials were still expecting to beat last year's record of 1.2 million visitors, with a 6-7% increase in people... and the paranormal.

That includes 80,000 people expected on Thursday alone.

On the hallowed grounds of Salem Common, a special ceremony took place -- the Salem Witches Magic Circle.

Witches honored Stormy Daniels, who was in attendance. The former adult film star's testimony about hush money payments she received from Donald Trump led to the former president's conviction on 34 felony charges earlier this year.

"We're honoring Stormy because she chose to do her career, her life, and everything else about herself her way," said warlock Christian Day. "She didn't do what society do. She's been a practicing witch since childhood."

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Stormy Daniels in Salem on Halloween

The pleasant spell is set to continue: the forecast for the next couple of days has temperatures staying in the 70s.

And witches in Salem were brewing up a special ceremony just before Election Day, honoring fellow witch and adult film actress Stormy Daniels, who alleges she had an affair with former President Donald Trump. They were set to gather in a circle at 5 p.m. Thursday on Salem Common.

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