Lowell, MA.Thousands enjoyed the unusually mild weather at Lowell's annual City of Lights event on Saturday, November 26. As the afternoon turned to dusk, the City of Lights parade began.Numerous floats representing city and regional agencies queued up, as did marching bands from around the region.Lowell National Historical Park's float led the precession through the packed streets of the downtown historic district with the Park as this year's Grand Marshall.Planned, designed, and fabricated by park employees, the float was the feature of the Park's marching contingent of over 30 strong.Employees, partner, and volunteers representing all aspects of the park's operations, along with family and friends, paraded along the route waving to enthusiastic crowds. The City of Lights event concluded in front of City Hall for the lighting of over 100,000 bulbs outlining City Hall and ornamenting downtown streets.
Lowell National Historical Park was also engaged in the day-long series of events starting with "The Trolley Express", a special program for families.During the course of the afternoon, Park Rangers and volunteers gathered hundreds on the park's trolley for readings of the Chris Van Allsburg holiday classic, "The Polar Express" and rides through the City.Each participant received a bell as featured in the story and hot chocolate warmed everyone at the conclusion of the program.
For complete coverage of the parade, visit the Lowell Sun for pictures and the story.
http://www.lowellsun.com/ci_19420845?IADID=Search-www.lowellsun.com-www.lowellsun.com
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
