DIY Lowell to Host Inaugural Open Streets Event

On Saturday, Oct. 4, downtown Lowell will host an inaugural Open Streets event showcasing local artists, businesses, and nonprofits. Artists' booths, performances, and interactive workshops will all be available free to the public.

This event, organized by DIY Lowell, will close Merrimack Street to traffic from noon to 4 p.m. 

More than 30 businesses and organizations in the Lowell area will participate in Open Streets Lowell. Items such as handmade accessories, natural skin care products, children's books, and activities such as tile decoration, caricature drawing, face painting, and book giveaways will all be part of the festivities.

For art lovers, the event will feature an exhibit of photos by Annie Powell, a photographer whose work connected with Lowell during the late 1800s. 

Founded in 2015, DIY Lowell is a grassroots organization dedicated to promoting art, diversity, and civic engagement in the community. The Open Streets event is part of the group's ongoing efforts to revitalize the downtown Lowell community.

DIY committee member Veronica Holmes said the idea for Open Streets Lowell came from an initial goal to "create a permanent downtown pedestrian mall, similar to that in Salem, Massachusetts. This would infuse the revitalization of downtown Lowell.  Step by step, it will grow," she said in a statement shared with The UMass Lowell Connector.

Ethan Yang from DIY Lowell also expressed enthusiasm for the event. He highlighted it as a celebration of community, fall, and a traffic-free street experience ideal for attendees of all ages.

Additional events taking place in Lowell on the same day include the Western Avenue Open Studios 20th Celebration and the Fall Volunteer Fair. Both events will be accessible via free shuttle services (COOL bus) from Open Streets Lowell. LRTA and UMass Lowell shuttle buses will also be available.