Monday, July 6, 2009

Riverwalk Festival 2009




















New for 2009, Lowell's 7th Annual Riverwalk Festival will be extended through Sunday, wrapping with an exciting new event - Pauly's Brew-B-Q Throw-down, a nationally sanctioned BBQ cook-off. Kicking off the Festival in Historic Lowell is the Thursday night Sizzlin' Summer Concert Series featuring Stolen Horses, a high-energy country rock band, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. on July 9. Local food vendors and the Showboat Cash Bar will be open for business along the Riverwalk. The evening of Friday, July 11 will bring more activities and entertainment. Beginning at 6:00 p.m., take a historic pontoon tour on the Flat River, do some late night shopping along Main Street and Historic Downtown or at The River Valley Credit Union Arts & Crafts, Antiques and Re-found Treasures sale, or find a book at the Englehardt
Friends of the Library Used Book Sale. Featured on Center Stage at 7:00 p.m. are the Lazy Blue Tunas, playing a variety of music by performers such as the Beatles, Bare-Naked Ladies and the Eagles. Enjoy a wide range of food from our vendors on the Avery Street walkway and a cash bar on the Lowell Showboat. Festivities will conclude for the evening at 9:00 p.m. The Festival continues on Saturday, July 11 beginning at 10:00 a.m. with arts and crafts, the used books sale, street entertainers, chainsaw art, and food booths. Compete in the Bill and Paul's Kayak and Canoe Race at 10:00 a.m. or enjoy kayak fun on the Flat River following the race. Bring your kids to the GOOD Chevy Buick Kidz Zone to play and get their face painted for just $1 each or attend the Lowell Community Wellness Health and Fitness fair. Line up along Main Street at 12:00 p.m. for the FROM the Heart Riverwalk Parade, benefiting Flat River Outreach Ministries. Parade spectators are encouraged to give from their hearts. Bring your non-perishable food items and toys to the parade and watch for the clowns to donate your gifts. And what parade doesn't have loud fire trucks, classic cars, and motorcycles? Automobiles entered in the 7th annual Brian Mead Memorial Cruise-In car show will tail the parade and "Rumble the Riverwalk" as they cruise down Main Street and show off their wheels. All cars in the show may be viewed at the 4-H Fairgrounds. Awards will be presented following the parade at 1:00 p.m. Shuttle rides will be provided by GOOD Chevy Buick to and from Downtown. Daytime entertainment includes the Laurels of Kent Pet Parade on N. Center Street. Enter your pet and bring smiles to the resident's faces! Registration begins at 1:30 p.m. The Lowell Fire Department will hold a Jaws of Life Demonstration at 2:30 p.m. - learn how victims get out of a smashed car - alive! And don't forget to stop at the Flush Tank, where famous Lowell personalities can be dunked - by you! Historic Pontoon Tours on the Flat River begin at 4:00 p.m. along with the Showboat Cash Bar. Center stage entertainment will feature Lowell's very own Alive & Well beginning at 5:00 p.m. and the Bronk Brothers will conclude the entertainment by 9:00 p.m. To wrap up the evening, make your way to Stoney Lakeside Park on Bowes Road where you can get a spectacular view of the Laurels of Kent Fireworks display starting at 10:15 p.m.For the first time in Riverwalk history, the Festival will continue through Sunday! Pauly's, teamed up with the Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce, is excited to announce the Sunday highlight of this year's annual Riverwalk Festival: Pauly's Brew-B-Q Throwdown! This Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) sanctioned event, with a beer tent featuring Michigan craft brews, is one of almost 300 barbeque contests that take place throughout America - and this year, Lowell is one of those stops! As the world's largest organization of barbeque and grilling enthusiasts, the KCBS attracts contestants to compete in one or all four BBQ categories: chicken, ribs, pork butt, and brisket. Come down to the Lowell Fairgrounds to see what this BBQ competition is all about! The competition begins at 11:00 a.m. with awards at 3:30 p.m. The $1500 State Farm Insurance Duck Race will be held on the Grand River at 12:30 p.m. Adopt a duck for $2 or purchase 3 for $5, or purchase 10 for $10! The duck winner will receive $1000 and the following 5 ducks to finish the race will receive $100 each. The finish line is at the Grand River boat launch on the south end of the fairgrounds. You can purchase your duck tickets at designated locations in Lowell and at the Information Booth on the Riverwalk Plaza during the Festival. Don't forget: The Lowell Area Farmers' Market will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with fresh produce at the fairgrounds, the Beer and Cocktail Garden will be open for business, and entertainment will be provided by Bob Van Stee and Jimmie Stagger from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Come check it out all of the fun and entertainment for yourself in Lowell - the Next Place to Be!


Monday, June 22, 2009

Do You Think You Can BBQ?

Lowell Riverwalk FestivalJuly 9-12, 2009

Then we want you to throw-down!

Pauly's, teamed up with the Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce, is excited to announce the Sunday (July 12) highlight of this year's annual Riverwalk Festival: Pauly's Brew-B-Q Throw-down!

This Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) sanctioned event, with a beer & cocktail garden featuring Michigan craft brews, is one of almost 300 barbeque contests that take place throughout America - and this year, Lowell is one of those stops! As the world's largest organization of barbeque and grilling enthusiasts, the KCBS , LACC and Pauly's invite you to join the contest and show-off your BBQ skills.

The contest is broken down into four categories: chicken, ribs, pork butt, and brisket - compete in one or all four! The Grand Prize Winner will receive $1500 and cash prizes will be paid through 5th Place. To participate, you must submit an entrance form along with a $225 entrance fee to the LACC no later than July 7. For more information, check out www.riverwalkfestival.org/bbq.html or call Liz Baker, LACC at 616-897-9161 or Paul Faba, Pauly's at 616-897-2669.

But the fun doesn't stop there. The annual State Farm Duck Race will take place at Noon on the Grand River, and the Beer and Cocktail Garden will host live music featuring Jimmie Stagger and Bob Van Stee. The Lowell Area Farmers' Market and other commercial vendors will also be open. Mark your calendars: Sunday, July 12, 2009! If you think you can BBQ - then we want you!

www.riverwalkfestival.org
Liz BakerLowell Area Chamber of Commerce

Clowns, Classic Cars and Food Fight - Riverwalk Festival

What do clowns, classic cars, and a food drive all have in common? They all play a key role in the FROM the Heart Riverwalk Parade. Highlighting the third day of the Lowell Riverwalk Festival, the parade will take place on Saturday, July 11 at Noon along Historic Main Street in Lowell. Benefiting the Flat River Outreach Ministries, parade spectators are encouraged to give from their hearts. Today's economic environment has left many families in need and without food, but you can help by participating in the North Lowell vs South Lowell "Food Fight". Bring your non-perishable food items and toys to the parade and watch for the clowns to donate your gifts. Can't make it to the parade? You may drop off your donation at anytime throughout the Riverwalk Festival at the Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce and at least 49 other merchants and organizations throughout the Lowell Community. Click here for Parade Application. And what parade doesn't have loud fire trucks, classic cars, and motorcycles? Automobiles entered in the 7th annual Brian Mead Memorial Cruise-in will tail the parade and "Rumble the Riverwalk" as they cruise down Main Street and show off their wheels. Beginning at the Lowell Fairgrounds at 8:00 a.m. the morning of the parade, the Cruise-in is a car show in honor of the late Brian Mead, the show's originator. A number of awards, including $500 in cash prizes, will be presented at 1:00 p.m. at the Fairgrounds following the parade. Click here for Cruise-in application.

2009 Brian Mead Memorial Cruise-in Sponsors

Bieri Auto Body
Diamond Plate/Harding Enterprises
GOOD Chevrolet Buick
Grand Automotive Family
Harold Ziegler Ford
L.A. Trim
Showboat Automotive

Lowell Showboat Sizzlin' Summer Concerts - Concert #3


Every Thursday June 11 through August 20
7 pm to 9 pm

Join us the Thursday night for the Sea Cruisers!
For over twenty years the Sea Cruisers have been making waves with fans of all ages everywhere they go. Playing the music of the 50's, 60's and 70's, they are sure to bring a smile to your face. They perform great rock & roll of artists like Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, Carl Perkins, Elvis, Dion and the Beatles, to name a few. Over the years this talented four piece band has worked with performers such as The Association, Chubby Checker, Pete Wittig and Tommy James and the Shondells.
If you like to dance to old time rock & roll or just sit back and enjoy the trip back in time you won't want to miss this evening of entertainment!
Admission and parking is FREE. The concert venue is wheelchair accessible and handicap/senior parking is available. Bleacher seating is also available along with room for your own comfy folding chair. The Flat River Grill offers a cash bar and food on the Lowell Showboat along with the Lowell Lions Club who are set up on the Riverwalk Plaza.

Next Weeks Show features Hark Up Rapid City Swing Band, Voices of Freedom & Blue water Ramblers. (Patriotic-Americana program)

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Lowell Farmers Market - Great local produce and more

If you haven't availed yourself of the Farmers Market every Thursday afternoon at the Fairgrounds - take my suggestion and get over there. We have been enjoying great asparagus and radishes - last week we brought home a big jar of honey.
Not only is the food as fresh as it can be, but you are keeping your food money in the LOCAL economy. Everybody WINS!
YUM - every Thursday from 3 to 7 at the Fairgrounds.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Ice in July - a fundraiser for the Lowell YMCA

First ever event.
First ever BIG discount prices at Chimera Design.
What is it? A fundraiser for the Lowell YMCA Strong Kids Program put on by Chimera Design (we hope to make this an annual deal).
What is in it for the YMCA? We are donating 10% of the proceeds from our First Ever Charity Auction to them. We will also donate 10% of any sales made on merchandise that is not in the Auction during the 3 days of the auction.
What is in it for you? Well, we will have many fine pieces of jewelry, and about 20 watches, with opening bid prices of 40% to 50% or even as much as 60% off our normal prices. (If you have ever been in Chimera, you know we do not play the mark-it-up-to-mark-it-down game. These starting prices represent real savings.) You can get a look at some of the pieces that will be available during the auction and their starting prices on the Chimera Design blog: http://chimeradesignlowell.blogspot.com/search/label/Lowell%20YMCA%20fundraising%20auction

What is in it for Chimera? Well, we get to support the YMCA Strong Kids - with the current economic situation, more and more people are asking the Y to subsidize their kids activities. We don't want the Lowell Y to have to turn kids away from the great opportunities they have to offer. Also, we have been around for a few years now and we have some old inventory we would like to get out of our cases to make room for new creations.

Win - win - win.

The silent auction takes place July 16-18. 10-7 on Thursday and Friday and 10-2 on Saturday. Check the Chimera blog for more details or call the store 897-9480

Monday, June 1, 2009

Special Business After Hours - June 4