Lowell, Mass., August 30, 2023—On Sunday, August 27, 2023, John E. Sheehy Park on Pawtucket Street was filled with eager school-aged families celebrating the return of the academic year with Mayor Sokhary Chau’s annual Back-to-School Block Party.
This lively event was hosted in collaboration with the City Manager’s office, Lowell Public Schools (LPS) and fiscal agent The Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association (CMAA), as well as numerous donors and sponsors. It was a great way to kickoff the new school year by generating excitement and bringing the community together.
Event organizers have reported the huge success of the event, with over 1350 people in attendance. In addition to the backpack giveaway, the event featured live performances by Tee and the Gents, as well as Jam’n 94.5 DJ 4eign. Solo artist Suriel, a Lowell Public School graduate, donated over 30 backpacks to give back to the community. Mayor Chau’s son, Philip, and his friends had the pleasure of performing live for the first time on stage as “The Venture.”
According to Mayor Chau, “The purpose of hosting this Back-to-School Block Party is to give students in the Lowell Public Schools the opportunity to begin the school year with the right tools to start them on a journey to success. This event allows the City to provide relief to families facing financial distress. With the assistance of our donors and volunteers, I am proud to be a part of an event that gives Lowell students an opportunity to achieve success.”
Support for the event included the City of Lowell’s ARPA fund, Lowell Sun Charities, UMASS Lowell, Lowell Police Department, Pridestar Trinity EMS, Hole in the Wall Food Truck, The Love All Serve All (LASA) Foundation and the Lowell Cub Scouts. F & F Sweet Bar scooped over 350 free ice cream cones; a donation matched by the Mayor’s Office. Over 1000 backpacks were generously provided by the Lowell Public Schools.
“The backpack event was remarkably successful, and joyful!” says Liam Skinner, Interim Superintendent of Lowell Public Schools. “Hundreds of people attended—many whole families—with smiles on their faces, enjoying a beautifully sunny afternoon. The excitement was palpable.”
