Harvest Celebration offers a smorgasbord of fall activities in natural setting

“Harvest Celebration is an opportunity to support local businesses and groups, and explore all that Lowell has to offer. Especially in the fall, there’s beautiful, natural settings nearly everywhere you look.”

Shannon Kennedy, Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce director

By Emma Palova

Contributing Writer

A smorgasbord of fall activities is awaiting you, all wrapped in the seasonal beauty of the annual Harvest Celebration, organized by the Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce, along with other participating organizations and businesses.You can start the day off with the Lowell Community Wellness Harvest Hustle 5K Run/Walk, which has a new route this year. The race will start at Impact Church, in the parking lot at 8:30 am, and run along the Lowell Area Trailway, through both the North and South Grand Riverfront Parks, crossing over the beautiful Lowell Wooden Footbridge. The course is family, stroller, and pet friendly. Runners and walkers should register as soon as possible at www.lowellcommunitywellness.com. Adult fee is $25, under 18 the fee is $20.

For many, the highlight of the day is the annual Chili Cook Off starting at 1 pm. “To compete alongside are restaurants, we opened the event to public contestants this year,” Chamber Director, Shannon Kennedy said. Public contestants will be on the Riverwalk by the chamber office. Following a health department inspection, they will prepare their chili onsite. Currently, there are two public participants.

“By popular demand, we are happy to invite public participation, while continuing to encourage patronage at our area restaurants,” Kennedy said.

In addition to the trophy and bragging rights, the winner will secure $500 for a Lowell area nonprofit of their choice. Wristbands are required to taste the chili, and only 300 wristbands will be sold. Wristbands are $10 each and will be available Friday, Oct. 11 from 9 am to 3 pm, at the Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce.

One of the mainstays of the Harvest event is the Autumn Marketplace, which will feature vendor booths on Main Street and along the Riverwalk from 10 am to 4 pm. You can expect to find crafts, repurposed treasures, baked goods, boutiques, commercial vendors and more.

There will be entertainment on the Riverwalk, including Stormy the Clown, music and much more. Pumpkin decorating will take place on the Lowell Showboat from 10 am to 4 pm.

“While you’re here, be sure to visit our charming shops and galleries,” Kennedy said. “Store displays and exhibits are constantly updated, so you’re sure to find something new and unique.” But before you head downtown to shop, don’t miss the pancake breakfast north of town at the Wittenbach Wege Agriscience & Environmental Education Center to experience the beauty of Lowell in the fall. The center, together with Lowell FFA members, will be hosting a pancake breakfast to help fund its plant, animal, and natural resource science projects.

Facilities, gardens and trails will be open for self-guided tours; the pancake breakfast will be served from 8 am to 11 am, with apple-tasting from 9 am to noon. The cost is just $5 per person, and it includes breakfast and apple-tasting.

“Harvest Celebration is an opportunity to support local businesses and groups and explore all that Lowell has to offer,” Kennedy said. “It’s many activities are hosted rain or shine. Please dress accordingly and embrace the day. Especially in the fall, there’s beautiful, natural setting nearly everywhere you look.”

Harvest Celebration will take place on Oct. 12 from 10 am to 4 pm For more info go to: www.lowellharvestcelebration.org