CTL will feature 350 artists and crafters

 CTL will feature 350 artists and crafters

Emma Palova - Contributing Writer

11/15/2024

A three-day holiday shopping extravaganza, featuring more than 350 artists and crafters, is coming to town and the greater Lowell area, this weekend, starting Friday. The 32nd annual Christmas Through Lowell (CTL) offers a unique holiday shopping experience in participating homes and businesses from as far north as Scripted Expressions Studio, near 6 Mile Rd., to Dairy Discovery, south on 84th Street. The locations are marked with Christmas trees with numbers or letters for Main Street businesses.

The following eight new locations are participating this year: The White Rooster Farm House Gifts, Scripted Expressions Studio, Christmas at the Garden, Fandangled, Fish & Finn Outfitters & Consignment, Milo’s Kids Consignment plus Boutique, Wear Forward Consignment and Nera Wix Candle Bar. This year’s featured artist is Karin Jelsma at “Homespun Holidays” Stop #8, at 13235 Burroughs Street, with 18 crafters in six full rooms on her home’s main floor. “Visitors can expect to find antiques, primitives, folk art, handcrafted holiday décor and gifts, furniture, vintage jewelry, baked goods and more,” Shannon Kennedy Chamber Director said.

Kennedy suggests to get the punch card at the first location. “Have it stamped at 15 or more participating locations, then leave the card at the home or business of your choice, to be entered to win that location’s door prize,” she said. CTL will continue to have a healthy mix of homes, churches, and businesses participating in the tour. This year CTL will have 26 unique home locations on a total of 68 stops, according to Kennedy. “It’s the homes that truly set CTL apart from other community shopping events,” she said. “If your goal is to stop at all 68 locations, then you really need to plan on attending all three days. You’ll need to be strategic and thoughtfully plan your route so you’re not doubling-back and spending too much time in the car.”

Among the downtown locations, with multiple vendors are: The Old Theater (TOT) designated as Stop J on the Main Street business map, Lowell Area Historical Museum Stop K, Lowell Arts Artist Market Stop I, The Lowell Showboat Stop 27 (featuring a group of unique artisans), Lowell United Methodist Church Stop 28, Flat River Gallery Stop H, and many more. The Lowell Women’s Club Stop 29 will be serving lunch inside the Chamber office on Friday and Saturday from, 11 am to 3 pm. Showboat Spirits & Fine Wine Stop U will offer free tastings on Nov. 16 of Grey Goose Varieties, Northern Latitudes Distillery and local Moravian Sons Distillery spirits, and cocktails from 6:15 pm to 8:15 pm. More tastings on Sunday.

“Wow, all 68 locations have filled their Christmas Through Lowell vendor spots,” Kennedy said. “Many thanks to all for helping to make this possible.” The three-day event pulls thousands of guests from West Michigan and beyond, according to Kennedy. “CTL is Lowell’s largest event of the year,” Kennedy said. “Guests should be prepared and be patient.”

Restaurants also benefit from the additional dining guests and Social District during CTL. “Merchants throughout Lowell will be participating in CT; look for the official Christmas Tree with a location number or letter in their window or by the road,” she said. Kennedy suggests to be prepared with extra water and snacks in the car, “Shop while you wait for your restaurant table to become available. Review the CTL brochure in advance and determine your must-have stops,” she said. “Thirty-two years in the making, CTL is a holiday shopping tradition and a great way to kick-start the season.”

Printed CTL brochures with maps are available at the chamber office open on Tuesday through Friday from 9 am to 3 pm or you can get them at any participating location. The digital CTL brochure is available on the chamber website as well as links to the CTL Google map to help with planning. “It is nearly impossible to get to all 68 stops in one day when you factor in drive time to homes and venues outside of the downtown area,” Kennedy said. “The longest day is Friday Nov. 15, from 9 am to 9 pm, so you can make a good run at it on your first day.”

A lot of first-timers come to Lowell during CTL and a good first impression will bring them back for more events, like Sizzlin’ Summer concerts, Riverwalk Festival, or shopping and dining any time of year, according to Kennedy. CTL has been a favorite Lowell event for Kennedy, long before she started working at the Chamber. I love our community’s unique, festive charm and welcoming spirit,” she said. “There’s no other event quite like Christmas Through Lowell.” The event starts on Friday, Nov. 15 and runs from 9 am to 9 pm, Saturday, Nov. 16 from 9 am to 7 pm, and on Sunday Nov. 17 from 11 am to 5 pm. Please note that not all locations will be open on Sunday.

The deadline for locations to register every year is in July.. “Home and businesses wanting to participate as registered host location in 2025 should follow our CTL Facebook page and pay attention to application and deadline reminders in May and June,” Kennedy said.

For exact locations and maps see the CTL flyer or the Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce website at https://www.discoverlowell.org/christmas-through-lowell/