Category Archives: Folk Festival

Folk Festival

Remember when Folk Festival was just fun…no stress no worries or at least for those of us who only attend and do not have to do any of the hard work of planning or working or cleaning up.

Reading today’s stories in the Sun I found the statement by Acting Superintendent Deborah Freidl that the late-night crowds downtown are just a part of the event’s evolution to which officials will adjust, most important. Good point! Just 3 days prior to the commencement of the festival Chief Lavallee held a meeting and asked everyone to do what they could to make sure that after festival hours DO NOT turn into mardi gras… (or as Craig would say; Shangra-lowell) oops! I have total confidence in Captain Kennedy’s ability to evaluate the situation and make the right decision and comments from bar owners sound like they agreed too.

I know that a few bar owners did voluntarily close early all three nights due to the large crowds…therein lies the dilemma. How great that people who come to folk festival stay after to enjoy the city…and how great for all of the businesses who had to turn people away. Hopefully by next year there will be a few more neighborhood places open. So the CM’s comment about starting now to plan for next year is the right thing to do.

I do have to throw just one question out there…why did the city council approve a deal for the Smokehouse to build out the sidewalk? Did anyone provide them with information about the 11 incidents police have logged at this location (only outdone by Brian’s Ivy Hall coming in at 14)? There are many other business owners who would be eager to have the use of 4 parking spaces to build out their outdoor business but have been told no (Old Court aside; they are just to close to the corner for LFP to make the turn)…why this one?

Two stories in the SUN: http://www.lowellsun.com/todaysheadlines/ci_18615060#ixzz1U5E8Oak4

Innocent plea in Lowell Folk Festival brawl – Lowell Sun Online
LOWELL — In the midst of the Lowell Folk Festival festivities last weekend, police arrested a Lowell man after they spotted him in a group of partygoers kicking a man on the ground…
Rest of the story at SUN on-line: http://www.lowellsun.com/local/ci_18615061

Lowell Folk Festival

Lowell Folk Festival
http://www.lowellfolkfestival.org/


In addition the SUN has a link to all things FOLKFEST
http://www.lowellsun.com/folkfest

Meters will be bagged Thursday afternoon in preparation for the weekend street closings but enforcement will not begin until Friday morning.

STREET CLOSING LIST

Arcand Drive– from Merrimack St to Father Morrisette Boulevard, Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Central St– from Market St to Merrimack St, Saturday from 9 a.m. to midnight, and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
French St– from John to Kirk St, from Friday noon to Sunday at 9 p.m.
French St’s eastbound lane– from Kirk St to Arcand Drive, from Friday at noon to Sunday at 9 p.m.
John St– from Merrimack to Paige St, from Friday at 6 a.m. to Sunday at 11 p.m.
Lee St– will be open but in reverse direction from Friday at 6:30 a.m. to Sunday at 11 p.m.
Merrimack St- from Bridge St to Dutton St, from Saturday at 9 a.m. to Sunday at 9 p.m.
Market St- from Dutton St to Palmer St, Saturday from 9 a.m. to Sunday at midnight and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Market St- from Palmer St to Central St, will carry two-way traffic from Saturday at 9 a.m. to Sunday at midnight, and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Middle St– from Central St to Shattuck St, Friday from 6 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Saturday from 9 a.m. to midnight Sunday, and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Palmer St- Friday from 6 p.m. to Saturday midnight, Saturday from 9 a.m. to Sunday at midnight, Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Palmer St- Saturday will carry two-way traffic from Market St to Middle St Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Paige St– from John St to Kirk St, from Saturday at 9 a.m., to Sunday at 9 p.m.
Shattuck St– from Merrimack to Market St, Saturday from 9 a.m. to midnight, and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

‘hood stuff

Tuesday July 14th, 6:30 PM – City Council meeting. Please note on the agenda Councilor Milinazzo has a motion to for an independent legal investigation into whether the council violated the city (Plan E) charter when they voted not to fund assistant city manager, Andy Sheehan’s position.
I am not in the habit of editorializing… however, this motion by a councilor who publicly acknowledged she did it “because she doesn’t like him…” or some such nonsense…SCREAMS out for top honors in the WTF? category. Stay-tuned…I can not imagine one other councilor besides Mr. Milinazzo would possibly have the courage to vote in favor of this motion. To put it simply…this is sad, sad, sad for the city.


Which leads me to remind everyone:
http://www.fairvotelowell.org/ Petitions for an initiatve to be placed on this November’s ballot are due within the next week. If have the petition, please call or send me an email at: kmarcin@gmail.com

Wednesday July 15th, and EVERY Wednesday – Traditional Irish Music at The Old Court

Every Friday, 2-7 PM – Farmer’s Market – JFK Plaza

"PLAY DATE"

I am volunteering a few hours this weekend at the Revolving Museum during the Folk Festival… I hope that some or all of you will be willing to give the hard-working people at TRM a hour or two of your time this weekend… just think if you don’t have your own youngsters (I have an “oldster” now) this is a great excuse to hang around and play with all the good kid stuff.

We all enjoy this event so much (well, most of us) please call Elaina at TRM and give her an hour of your time.

And one other thing… tomorrow, Wednesday, come meet at Caffe’ Paradiso at 7:30 PM and make a tour of ArtWalk windows. Thank you to everyone who contributed to LDNA so we could sponsor a window again this year.

Lowell Folk Festival

Lowell Folk Festival is next weekend, July 25-27th.
www.lowellfolkfestival.org
There is not much that has not been said about The Lowell Folk Festival…it’s fabulous!
But as a reminder to people who live downtown and complain every year about all the hassles…you still have time to get out of town.
For the rest of us…looking forward to another excellent year!