Salem Students to Name New 400+ Mascot!

September 16, 2025

Salem 400+ is asking for the community’s help in naming their adorable new black cat mascot! Based on the success of the Chicken Nugget trash truck naming, the organization is turning to local students in grades 3-8 to come up with the perfect name for this furry new face of Salem’s 400+ celebration. The mascot was inspired by Hanepyon, the beloved rabbit mascot of Salem’s sister city in Japan, Ota!

Students can submit their creative suggestions through September 26th, with each class able to propose 1-3 names. The top picks will then go to a community-wide vote, and the winning class will get a special visit from the Salem 400+ team for the Official Cat Naming Ceremony.

“This black cat character will help represent the spirit of the Quadricentennial, and we want our young residents to be part of bringing it to life,” says Mayor Pangallo.

The submitted names will be put to a community vote!