Vote To Name Salem 400+ Anniversary's Official Black Cat Mascot

SALEM, MA — Salem residents are urged to cast their vote in the naming contest for the city's 400+ anniversary black cat mascot.

Salem artist Karen Hallion illustrated the logo and will serve as a children's ambassador at family-oriented Salem 400+ events throughout 2026. Salem students in grades 3 through 8 came up with name suggestions for the mascot, with a resident vote now underway to determine the winner.

"Salem 400+ encompasses many different ways to engage with our city's history and future," said Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo. "While our initiative includes preservation projects, scholarly programming, and comprehensive historical documentation, we also wanted to create an accessible entry point for our youngest residents. This mascot will help Salem's children feel connected to this special milestone in age-appropriate ways."

Finalist names are Binx, Burger, Caviar, Erick, Ghost, Jellybean, Larry, Lightning Little, Luna, Midnight, Moonlight, Mr. Kitten, Nox, O.D.L., Olive, Patrick, Simon, Solar and Star.

Community voting is available here.

The winning name will be announced in January 2026. The class that submits the winning name will receive a plush version of the mascot for their classroom.

The black cat character specifically serves family audiences, creating a welcoming presence at children's events while the initiative's broader programming engages residents of all ages with Salem's rich, multifaceted history.

The black cat will appear at family events, schools, and youth-centered activities — one of many ways Salem 400+ creates meaningful connections between residents and this historic milestone.

The official kickoff to the Salem 400+ year of festivities is on Jan. 10 at Salem High School. That event will include door prizes, raffles, children's activities, hot cocoa, free food, a volunteer fair and community engagement opportunities.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)