2017 North Shore Cancer WALK – Salem Willows
For more than two decades, the North Shore Cancer WALK has united the community for one powerful purpose: supporting cancer care close to home. On June 24, 2017, walkers gathered at Salem Willows, continuing a mission that has raised an incredible $22 million to date.The 10K (6.2 mile) route through Salem isn’t just a walk — it’s a visible reminder of determination, resilience, and hope.
Supporting Cancer Care Close to Home
Proceeds from the WALK benefit oncology services at:
- North Shore Medical Center
- Mass General/North Shore Cancer Center
Over the years, WALK contributions have funded new technologies, facility upgrades, clinical trials, and supportive wellness services such as massage and acupuncture — helping patients and families navigate treatment with dignity and support.
Behind the Scenes: Building the Event
While the day itself is filled with emotion and community spirit, there’s an entire infrastructure that makes it possible.
For the 2017 event, we installed:
- Multiple festival frame tents for registration, sponsors, and gathering spaces
- Staging for announcements and programming
- A half-shell QuickTrack structure covering the main stage
The photos featured here from Stacey Guptill Photography aren’t from the WALK itself — they’re from the setup. And honestly? There’s something just as powerful about seeing the crew in action. Watching the transformation of an open park at Salem Willows into a fully operational event space is a reminder that meaningful events start long before guests arrive.
Large-scale community fundraisers like this require thoughtful planning, structural safety, and efficient installation — especially on an oceanfront site.
Wedding Whisperer | Dog Mom | Creative Enthusiast
Samantha has been an integral member of the Baystate Tent team since 2016, combining a lifelong passion for event design with a deep understanding of logistics and client care. Earning her Wedding Planning Certificate from the University of New Hampshire, she brings both creative vision and meticulous attention to detail to every celebration. Samantha excels at orchestrating seamless events, ensuring that each couple’s vision is brought to life with precision and elegance. Outside of work, Samantha is a certified yoga teacher who offers calming bridal yoga sessions, helping couples start their big day with balance and mindfulness. A true lake girl, Samantha spends her downtime soaking up sunshine by the water with her black lab, Frankie, with a good romance novel in hand.