Winterfest 2012 — February 9th through February 11th

The Holidays are behind us, but the busy folks in the Cultural Affairs and Special Events office and their partners always have something in the works for us to look forward to.  The City of Lowell offers more ways to usher in the winter season with a new and expanded program and entertainment lineup for its 12th Annual Winterfest Celebration, Thursday, February 9 through Saturday, February 11, 2012. The family-friendly, 3-day festival kicks off on Thursday, February 9 with an added evening of events for visitors of all ages featuring a Looks of Lowell Fashion Show at Lowell High School, free Public Skating and a Broomball Tournament on Ice at the Tsongas Center, a Pop-Up Art Gallery & Performance Space, and Winterfest’s first-ever Micro Brew Showcase at the Masonic Center. Rounding out the night is a Lowell Taste of Winter event which offers visitors a local dining experience and the chance to taste a variety of delicious winter-inspired cocktails. 

 ”In today’s economy, we know the importance of offering affordable, quality entertainment that people of all ages can enjoy,” said Lowell City Manager Bernie Lynch. “In addition to making sure we include perennially popular Winterfest events, we’re extending the festival to include dynamic activities on Thursday night—public skating, a fashion show, gallery walk, micro-brew competition, and “taste of winter” activities featuring restaurants and venues around town. This year’s festival will show off our rich array of cultural, entertainment, dining and retail establishments.”

 “Lowell’s WinterFest inspires people to get out and celebrate the season,” said Richard Bolton, Chairman & CEO of Lowell Bank.  Mr. Bolton is spearheading this year’s fundraising efforts for the event. “There’s truly something for everyone at this year’s event.

As in years past, Lowell Winterfest will include crowd favorites like the Human Dog Sled Competition, Soup Bowl Competition, Live Music at Club Celsius, and Museum Madness Kids Activities. For 2012, the weekend lineup will also include a dramatic night-time Fire Dancer Performance, Ice Sculpture Display and Demonstrations, plus Youth Open Mic and Spoken Word Performances.

Back by popular demand are the All-You-Can-Eat Chocolate Festival at St. Anne’s Church and Horse-Drawn Sleigh Rides through downtown Lowell. All these great festivities are capped off on Saturday night with a Winterfest tradition — the 7 p.m. Fireworks Display over theTsongasCenter followed by late-night live music in Club Celsius.

All Winterfest activities are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. For a complete schedule of events, visit www.lowellwinterfest.org or call 978-674-1483.

 To sign up to volunteer, please contact Suzzanne Cromwell at 978-674-1483 or scromwell@lowellma.gov.

Be a part of the Winterfest fun and become an official event sponsor! Sponsorship opportunities are available at all levels by visiting www.lowellwinterfest.org or contacting Deborah Belanger at 978-459-6150 or dbelanger@merrimackvalley.org.

 Lowell Winterfest is programmed by the City ofLowelland the Cultural Organization of Lowell (COOL) in partnership with the Greater Merrimack Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau, Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce, Lowell Memorial Auditorium, and The Tsongas Center/Global Spectrum.  It is made possible by the generous support of sponsors across the region. To become a sponsor, please contact Deborah Belanger at 978-459-6150 or dbelanger@merrimackvalley.org.

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