Lowell hosts annual harvest festival along riverfront

LOWELL, Mich. (WOOD) — On Oct. 11, visitors to Lowell can attend the city’s annual Harvest Celebration which includes a 5K race, artisan marketplace, pancake breakfast and more.

“We have events that go through the morning into the late afternoon,” Shannon Kennedy, executive director of the Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce, said. “A lot of families out and about.”

For more than 20 years, the Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce has hosted the Lowell Harvest Celebration in the heart of downtown. This year’s 5K extends across the Grand River into a nearby park.

“The course includes our beautiful wooden bridge that connects the parks,” Kennedy said. “That’s a fun time.”

Residents and tourists attend the Lowell Harvest Celebration. (Courtesy Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce)
Residents and tourists attend the Lowell Harvest Celebration. (Courtesy Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce)
Residents and tourists attend the Lowell Harvest Celebration. (Courtesy Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce)

In the morning, families can enjoy a $5 pancake breakfast at the Wittenbach/Wege Center before heading to the Autumn Marketplace along the river.

“Those are vendor booths along Main Street and our riverwalk area,” Kennedy said. “We have about 20 additional booths this year.”

At 1 p.m., the annual chili cook-off competition begins. For $10, attendees can sample various recipes before casting a vote for their favorite.

“This year, we have 14 participants competing for our chili trophy,” Kennedy said.

“We had a great response last year with the pumpkin decorating,” Kennedy said. “We moved it onto the showboat, so that’s just more of a quieter environment. Kids can take their time.”

Residents and tourists attend the Lowell Harvest Celebration. (Courtesy Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce)
Residents and tourists attend the Lowell Harvest Celebration. (Courtesy Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce)
Residents and tourists attend the Lowell Harvest Celebration. (Courtesy Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce)