Christmas 2008
Christmas in July! I haven't picked up that many pictures again until recently, so I'm clearing up my backup first. These are from the City of Lights parade in November 2008 for the most part. With the budget cuts we're facing in '09, I'm not sure what we'll get this year...
I can't remember the exact details, but the very late '80s was the last time I had been to this parade. That time, there was some sort of revival of the lighting, or so I was told at the time. This year the turnout was apparently pretty good. Either way, it wasn't all that cold and I wanted to practice on night shots.
We staked out our spot on Merrimack Street after voting in the hot chocolate competition.
Watching the sun set through the arch that was the site of the YMCA before my time, and Huntington Hall, the downtown train station, before that. This archway is supposed to suggest the design of the old station.
Saint Anne's church
What must've been one of Lowell's top shopping destinations 30+ years ago, the Bon Marche. The city tries to get people to shop downtown at Christmas, but retail is certainly a weak sector down here. I did buy some Tinker Toys from Rogers Toy on Middle Street for Toys for Tots.
The parade is pretty typical. A few floats, classic cars, city departments, bands, etc. This is the Department of Public Works telling us don't be upset when they plow your driveway in. Another announced the upcomming Bin-Dependence Day when Lowell switched to automated trash pickup.
A local martial arts studio spars with an LRTA bus. The buses display holiday messages during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and I think New Years.
Middlesex County's Community Command Center. I thought this was the bus that is used for bookings during sobriety checkpoints on Thorndike Street, but I thought wrong. After looking into that, that's the State Police B.A.T Mobile...
Sesame Street Live has been coming to the Lowell Memorial Auditorium for years. This year, Elmo was possessed by demons and had an eerie glow. "Elmo love to eat your soul!" he said as he rode by.
Lowla Bear, the symbol of the mid-winter WinterFest. This float, which if I remember correctly was made by students at the Greater Lowell Voke, won best float.
There were at least two ambulances in the parade. I hope they have a lot of backups! Getting picked up by an ambulance covered in lights would be interesting though...
The park service float.
The trolleys were parked on either side of Merrimack Street, and those special enough to get to sit in one enjoyed much warmer weather than the rest of us as the sun set, awaiting the big light-up.
Finally! Peace on Earth, Lowell. I took this without a tripod and I am therefore proud of myself.
Shattuck Street after the parade.
The Wannalancit Chimney/Christmas tree from the roof of the garage on Market St.
Palmer Street from the garage.
Corey Sciuto (e-mail)
2008