Ah, Mother Nature was toying with us, wasn’t she? All those warm January days…you could almost imagine you’d be shedding your winter gear and breaking out the shorts in no time.
Almost.
Then, as it often does, the Michigan weather decided to change and snap us all back to reality. Hello snow and ice!
You can sulk, or you can get in touch with your inner yeti. WinterFest 2017 is the perfect time to learn to love the snow again. It’s also the main event being held this weekend in Lowell.
WinterFest 2017: There Are Indoor Activities Too!
Seriously, all joking aside, winter can be pretty darn awesome if you let it be. Head over to the Wittenbach Wege Center on Vergennes St. (right across from the high school) on Saturday, Febuary 4th, to experience it in a whole new way.
WinterFest runs from 10am-4pm, and the first 100 people to rent snowshoes will get them for half price. That means you can be walking on top of the world – or at least the snow – for only $2 per person. After that, rentals run $4 per person.
Beyond trying out snowshoes, there is a whole line-up of activities to keep you and the family busy. Here’s a look at the schedule:
- Winter Waggle 5K – From 10am-2pm, you can hike, run, ski or snowshoe your way through a course on the center’s property. For an added challenge, try the optional orienteering activities. Hot chocolate, snacks and a snowflake medal will be waiting upon your return. Cost is $10 per person or $30 for a family of four.
- Scavenger hunting and games – If 5K sounds like too much, you can still enjoy the trails with a scavenger hunt and games that will be held from 11am-3pm.
- Backyard Birding & Bluebirds – The Michigan Bluebird Society will be onsite from 11am-3pm, and at 1:30pm, there will be a special presentation on how to identify bluebird songs, what to feel them and how you can help them make their home in Lowell. The talk is free and for a small cost, you can make a seed or suet feeder to take home with you.
- Winter Art Projects and Crafts – Stay out of the cold from 10am-3pm with a number of activity stations within the center. Highlights include learning origami and, of course, making snowflakes.
Special thanks go to Lowell Community Wellness and All-Weather Seal for sponsoring WinterFest 2017.
Chat Up the City Council Members
It’s a blast from the past as the Lowell City Council reinstates its monthly Coffee with Council meetings.
Former Mayor Jim Hodges had instituted the open hours years ago as a way for residents to talk to their locally elected officials. When new council members swept in after the 2015 election, they decided to scrap the event and try something different. Apparently, that didn’t work because Coffee with Council is back!
Don’t let them sit alone this Saturday morning (February 4th). Head to the Chamber of Commerce office (on the Riverwalk) between 8am-10am to say hi or share what’s on your mind. Now is the opportunity to get answers to your pressing questions about the Showboat, biodigester and more.
It’s a Super Sunday
This isn’t a local event, but we couldn’t have a weekend round-up without mentioning the Super Bowl.
I know it took us all by surprise, but the Lions did not make it to the big game this year. Instead, we’ll have to decide to cheer for either Tom ‘Nothing Can Deflate Me’ Brady and the New England Patriots or the Atlanta Falcons, led by Matt ‘Don’t Believe the Odds’ Ryan.
If you don’t want to watch from home, head to Larkins with your friends on Sunday night (February 5th) to cheer on your favorite team or try Main Street BBQ where wing and nacho specials will run throughout the game.
What will you be up to this weekend in Lowell?
Previously on Lowell’s First Look
January Cases and Calls for Lowell Police Department
Should Food Trucks be Allowed in Lowell?
New Semester of Martial Arts Begins
Alton Bible Church: More than Meets the Eye
Spice up Your Sunday with a Blood Mary