By Jerry Curry, Staff Writer

This past Friday, September 20th, the newly upgraded Salem Square was full of economic enhancements and socializing. Eric Bush, C.E.O. of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, did a wonderful job organizing the event. With all side streets blocked off and most mercantile shops open, hundreds of people filled the square like an invasionary force.

In front of the brick-and-mortar stores there were rows of tents with different venues set up on the street. Around the courthouse were mostly food trucks and tables. Friday Night on the Square, labeled as one of the biggest nights in Salem, lived up to its name.

The circle in front of the stores were a variety of setups. Anything from banks, churches, hospitals, rehabilitation, addiction recovery, Boy Scout Troop 4029, politics, lawyers, to chiropractic professionals. Several tents had free water, and one church booth had free bean soup and cornbread. The Salem Fire Department was present selling burgers and chances on different prizes. The Salem Police were also on the scene as well as our star resident: The Batman, along with some of his scary friends. Even venues outside the square experienced the economic impact.  As one t-shirt stated, “This Is Our Hometown. One Community, One Family.”