Lowell Folk Festival Opening Ceremonies to take place Friday, July 27
The mayor of the city of Lowell, Patrick Murphy,accompanied by councillor Rita Mercer receives a bunch of flowers from an African child during the opening ceremony of the 2012 African festival on Saturday June 16. The mayor will lead the opening ceremonies for the Lowell Folf Festival, the largest folk festival in the USA tomorrow Friday July 17. H.Maina/Ajabu Media
Press Release, Mayor's Office , Posted July 26, 2012
Lowell, MA – On Friday, July 27, at approximately 6:40 p.m., a cultural parade will commence from JFK Plaza next to City Hall to mark the official start of the 26th annual Lowell Folk Festival.
The procession will travel along Merrimack Street before turning left on Kirk Street and then heading directly to Boardinghouse Park for a special flag ceremony.
Jorge Arce and Comparsa Boricua will lead the procession. Comparsa Boricua is a Puerto Rican parade tradition involving musicians, dancers, and masqueraders. An estimated 15-20 nations will be represented in the procession, each with its own flag.
The Lowell Folk Festival is the largest free folk festival in the nation, with musical genres including folk, bluegrass, gospel, world music, jazz, and others. In addition to music, the Lowell Folk Festival features ethnic foods, crafts, artwork, and children’s activities. Canal boat and trolley rides will be available throughout the weekend – tour information is available at the National Park Visitor Center (246 Market Street).
The Lowell Folk Festival is presented by Lowell National Historical Park, Lowell Festival Foundation, the National Council for the Traditional Arts, the City of Lowell, and the Greater Merrimack Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau. For more information, contact Lowell National Historical Park at 978-970-5200 (TDD 978-970-5002) or visit online at www.lowellfolkfestival.org.
For any questions about information contained in this press release, please contact Greg Page at (978) 674-1551 or e-mail gpage@lowellma.gov.
Additional note:
A Kenyan flag has been generously donated to the city by Richard Odongo Makokha will be on hand for the parade & flag-raising.
All guests from all African countries who would like to witness the opening ceremony to the free event have been asked to arrive at JFK plaza by City Hall around 6:15pm
