Dear Citizens of Lowell,
The 23rd annual Lowell WinterFest 2023 was a great success. I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone involved in this year’s production of this wonderful event.
The success of WinterFest 2023 is due in large part to the collaboration between the city government, the local business community, corporate partners, entertainers, artists and the participating festival-goers. I want to personally thank the Mill City Festival Fund Committee co-chaired by Danielle McFadden and Chris Dick. Many thanks to the producing partner Rick Lofria and staff at the Greater Merrimack Valley Convention and Visitor’s Bureau (GMVCVB), as well as Pete Lally and his staff at Lowell Management Group (Lowell Memorial Auditorium) who quietly navigate all the activities at the Auditorium. Thanks to Peter Gervais for graciously donating his parking lot. The food truck court really felt at home there and festival participants were able to enjoy the delicious food in a welcoming area.
Thanks to Mayor Sokhary Chau and the Lowell City Council: Rita Mercier, John Leahy, Dan Rourke, Vesna Nuon, Paul Ratha Yem, John Drinkwater, Erik Gitschier, Wayne Jenness, Corey Robinson, and Kim Scott, for the ongoing support of this event.
Of course, it is impossible to host an event of this size without the dedication of our City Departments who help make this event a success. Many thanks to our staff at the Office of Cultural Affairs (CASE): Peter Crewe, Diandra Silk, Roberto Dei, and Erin Duffey for all their hard work. Thanks to CASE intern Sophia Boucher, Lowla Bear for bringing the wintry spirit, and Paul Smith for being a character. In addition, a shout out to Lowell-based production company, BRM Production, for skillfully lighting up the night with fancy lighting and LED swings. I am always proud of our DPW Commissioner Paul St. Cyr and Superintendent of Parks Shannon Cohan, as well as their staff, for just being completely unflappable. Thank you to Terry Ryan and his staff at the Parking Department, Anne Scanlon and Patty Livorsi. A special thanks to Mike Balous for continuing to be the friendly face of the COOL bus, shuttling festival-goers to and from downtown locations.
Public Safety is a chief concern at WinterFest, special thanks to the Police and Fire Departments, particularly Cpt. Gendreau, Lt. Panagiotakos, Deputy Leblanc, Chief Charron, and Lt. Carvalho, for their dedication and professionalism.
Lowell’s local restaurants and organizations heat up the festivities with the “Richard Rourke Memorial Soup Bowl Competition” and Howard Amidon, Laura Tavares from Mosaic Lowell do a wonderful job with the Art Market and the Youth Mural Competition. For these partners, I am grateful.
In addition, I would like to thank Mill City Festival sponsors (a special public “thank you” has gone out to them individually as well) and local business partners.
This year, the festival added an inaugural Scavenger Hunt. Thank you to the businesses and participants who brought this entertaining event to life.
Lastly, I would like to thank our media partners: The Lowell Sun, WCAP and Inside Lowell for support, promotion and a continuous partnership.
WinterFest is a magical and exciting annual tradition in the City of Lowell. I could not be more proud of the wonderful people involved in the successful production of this event. I look forward to continuous success in the future. See you at WinterFest 2024!
Sincerely,
Thomas A. Golden, Jr.
City Manager
