FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, February 6, 2015
Contact:
Susan Halter – Director, Cultural Affairs & Special Events
978-674-4260
MELT AWAY YOUR WINTER BLUES AT THE 15TH ANNUAL LOWELL WINTERFEST, FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20 & 21, 2015
Outdoor Fire Pits, Fire Dance Performances, and WinterFest’s Giant Heated Tent Will Keep You Warm As You Celebrate The Season!
(LOWELL, MA) – Winter is in full swing and so is preparation for the 15th Annual Lowell WinterFest Celebration taking place Friday, February 20 and Saturday, February 21. With food, fun, and entertainment for all ages, the event also includes free ice skating at the UMass Lowell Tsongas Center on Thursday, February 19th (12pm-2pm) and marks the end of School Vacation Week (Feb.16-21).
Though WinterFest’s popular signature events — the Human Dogsled Competition, Horse Drawn Carriage Rides in downtown, and the All-You-Can-Eat-Chocolate Festival at St. Anne’s Church — are back for 2015, some new and expanded events will also be showcased. On Friday night and all day Saturday, Lucy Larcom Park will come alive with festive lighting (Friday night only), fire pits, a hot chocolate bar, a Human Snowglobe photo area, Fire Dancers (Friday night only), and a Build-Your-Own-Snowman Village. Participants who build a snowman for the Snowman Village will receive a free WinterFest memento while supplies last.
On Friday, WinterFest’s giant heated tent, Club Celsius, will host the 4th Annual Micro & Craft Brewers Showcase from 6pm-9pm which features over two dozen brews and hard ciders and LIVE musical entertainment. Tickets for the event are just $20 in advance and $25 at the door and are available online at www.Lowell.org. Starting at 9pm, Club Celsius will open to the public for dynamic live music through midnight, performed by New England Music Awards (NEMA) nominees. Admission to Club Celsius from 9pm-12am is $5 per person (21+ with ID).
In an exciting change from years past, the Annual Soup Bowl Competition will also take place inside Club Celsius on Saturday from 12-3pm, allowing even more visitors to taste test and vote for their favorite hot soup to receive the “People’s Choice” award. A special judges panel made up of members of the community will also cast their vote for top soup for the “Judge’s Award.” Admission to the Competition is still just $5 per person at the door.
Join us on Saturday night at 6pm for a giant WinterFest photo on the steps of City Hall and stay for our 6:45pm special Laser and Video Effects Grand Finale on JFK Plaza. Fantastic live music will run from 7pm to midnight at Club Celsius, featuring New England Music Awards winners. Admission to Club Celsius on Saturday is $5 per person (21+ with ID).
Many, many more activities will take place throughout the two-day event! For a complete and updated schedule, please visit www.Lowell.org or call 978-674-4260 for information. All WinterFest activities are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted on the schedule.
Be a part of the WinterFest fun and become an official event sponsor! Sponsorship opportunities are available at all levels by visiting www.Lowell.org or contacting Deborah Belanger at 978-459-6150 or dbelanger@merrimackvalley.org.
Competitors are wanted for the National Human Dogsled Championship! Gather your teams and submit your registration conveniently online at www.cultureiscool.org/humandogsledcompetition.
Volunteers are also welcomed — please contact Suzzanne Cromwell at 978-674-1483 or scromwell@lowellma.gov to join the WinterFest Volunteer team!
