Normally, the annual Expo is held in March at Lowell High School. However, the event was cancelled last year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to avoid a similar occurrence this year, organizers moved the 2021 Expo to the summertime so it could be held outdoors on the Riverwalk.
Dubbed Expo on the Riverwalk, the event coincided with the grand opening of Lowell Showboat VI. On Friday, there was a gala event to honor major donors to the “Rebuild the Showboat” effort, and then the public was invited onboard on Saturday.
Here’s a look back at both events.
The official ribbon-cutting for Lowell Showboat VI took place on Friday night. Carolyn Jane Blough and Dave Hildenbrand (center) got to do the honors while members of the Showboat Committee flanked them on both sides. Blough’s late husband, Ivan Blough, built the previous Showboat while Hildenbrand, as State Senator, was instrumental in securing the state grant money that made construction of the new boat possible.
After the ribbon-cutting, attendees were invited to enjoy some refreshments — such as these cupcakes from Deirdre’s Cakes & Bakes — and tour the boat.
On Saturday, it was the general public’s turn to see the boat during an open house that ran throughout the Expo on the Riverwalk event.
Inside, there was information on commemorative bricks that will be laid on the Riverwalk later this summer. There were also canvas prints of a photograph taken by Bruce Doll. Proceeds from both the bricks and the artwork benefit the Showboat cause.
The City of Lowell also had a table inside the boat. It offered information about various services and, at the time of our visit, it was manned by Councilmember Marty Chambers, City Manager Mike Burns and Police Chief Chris Hurst (l to r).
Out on the Riverwalk, approximately 70 businesses and organizations had tents and tables set up to provide information about their products and services. Some, such Arctic Heating & Cooling, are local businesses that have been long-time participants in Expo events.
Others, like Adventures by Lori, are newer additions to the Lowell business family.
Some participants, such as Renewal by Andersen, don’t have a dedicated Lowell office but come to the Expo since they know it draws big crowds every year.
Local churches were well-represented as well. For instance, this booth was set up by the Calvary Christian Reformed Church of Lowell.
And this one was staffed by the First Baptist Church of Lowell, where members were handing out information about Vacation Bible School and sharing details of their Tae Kwon Do program.
Non-profits like the Fallasburg Historical Society were on-hand while…
…anyone looking to get in on the hot housing market had plenty of choices. There was Greenridge Realty…
…and KW Grand Rapids, who told us they were thrilled to have an in-person event to attend.
Some booths had games set up. At the Flat River Outreach Ministries table, you could play Plinko to win a toy, candy or other goodies.
Of course, the vendor tables weren’t the only thing attracting attention. This decked-out macaw, for instance, had no shortage of admirers.
Better Baker Automotive was the main sponsor of the event and brought along a collection of vehicles to show off. Other Expo on the Riverwalk sponsors included Arrow Golf Course, Ian Deming of Edward Jones Investments, Greenridge Realty, Lowell Family Chiropractic and Arctic Heating & Cooling.
The Lowell Area Fire Department was there o show off their truck and serve up a delicious chicken lunch.
And on the stage, there were Tae Kwon Do demonstrations, music and more.
Of course, we’re only at the start of a summer full of events on this stage. The Lowell Showboat Sizzlin’ Summer Concerts return this year with the first free concert scheduled for this Thursday. Will you be there?
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