Events | Lowell And Adams Tow

History

The early days in Lowell were “bright and colorful”. There were singing schools, spell
ing bees, literary society meetings, and plenty of picnics, boat trips, and showboats.
Most folks never had to go far from home to find things to do.

From the late 1890s until around 1920, Sunday School picnics seem to have been a
"highlight for the whole town." They were looked forward to and planned for well in ad
vance of their coming. Often the three churches together would charter a boat and go
up the river for a gala affair.

At about the same time, the people of Lowell had ice cream socials and lawn fetes. Ice
cream was a rare treat and different organizations were constantly planning socials.
Birthdays and family gatherings also called for many celebrations. “Between Marietta
and Beverly, the folks in Lowell had to entertain themselves and they did pretty well at
it."

A literary society was an important part of the local school program from 1900 until
around 1930. This was a group in which every high school student was a member and
meetings were held every two weeks. It was known for its fine debates and one-act
plays, so popular that tickets had to be issued to restrict audiences to the available
seating capacity.

When the high school auditorium became available in 1925, moving pictures of the
silent type were shown weekly on Saturday nights. By that time, the school had a bas
ketball team with many games at 10 cents admission. There was also, as far back as
1901, a group of high school cadets – boys who did much marching, participated in
drills, and sometimes held socials and put on one-act plays. They served as escorts
and guides for festivals and parades not only in Lowell but in neighboring communities.

Lowell also had a Opera House on the second floor of a large building housing stores
on the ground floor. This "auditorium," with a stage and small dressing rooms, seated
about 250 people. It was used for local talent programs and patent medicine shows.
"The medicine man would come and for 10 cents admission put on something which
everyone seemed to enjoy."

Before the "trolley and then the hard-surfaced road came through the showboats had
their influence on Lowell. Those were colorful events, so rich in tradition that one can't
help feeling sad that the boats are gone."

When the old "Water Queen" started playing, a mile down the river, telling the folks of
its coming, "The scene was one of great joy." "Farm people would hurry their chores
to get to town and down on the riverfront." This boat carried 35 performers. Plays that
were presented include "East Lynn," "Little Minister," "Orange Blossoms," "Uncle Tom's
Cabin," and "Way Down East." The admission fee ranged "from 25 cents for children
up to one dollar for adults." The boat's auditorium seated 950 people.

The "Water Queen" began losing prestige in the early 1920s. For several winters it was
docked in the canal for showing silent moving pictures. It sank near Point Pleasant,
West Virginia, in 1935. About 1924, the "Princess" showboat made stops at Lowell.
During the summer its troupe gave performances there and on up the river as far as
Zanesville. In the winter it showed films for children in the afternoons and other films for
adults in the evenings.

After the "Princess' with its show troupe and then its films went out, Lowell’s activities
included ball games and some dances which were held at least a part of each year on
Saturday evenings in the "corner building near the stoplight." At times, this dance hall
was a "questionable place for young people" and the home folks were disinclined to
patronize it, especially when it was known as the notorious "Top Hat." In the late 1940s,
though, the place went under new management and had an increased attendance
from Lowell as well as from other towns. The business had no hard liquor or beer and
the place was reported as being clean and comfortable with air conditioning during hot
weather. The floor was held to be one of the best anywhere and music was furnished
by an orchestra, all on an admission charge basis. Both round and square dancing
made up the program.

Back near the turn of the century, Lowell boasted of a good baseball team of men un
der 50 years of age-mostly business and professional men. "They played many games,
won their share, and had the whole town backing them."

Lowell had an out-of-school basketball team-the Lowell Independents. These seven or
eight young men practiced whenever they could get to the gym, sometimes on Sunday
afternoon, and they played about one game per week on average, mainly with similar
teams from nearby towns.

Today, Lowell has several local sports, including those of the Lowell Patriots Football,
Lowell Baseball and Softball League, and the Beverly/Lowell Post 389/750 American
Legion Baseball.

Lowell had an annual Harvest Home picnic held in the grove west of the village near
Greenlawn Cemetery. At this event, for more than five years, "from about 1902 or 1903,
people had the chance to hear many good speakers including candidates from both
political parties."

Some of the smaller meetings of a civic-education nature were held at the bandstand
on the west edge of town. This was built on the bank of the canal and was lost to the
floodwaters of 1913. More events were held in the opera house, also taken by the 1913
flood, in the town hall, the Odd Fellows' hall, and later the high school gymnasium.

One of these was the annual farmers' institute often with as many as 300 people in
attendance. It was supported and at one time or other sponsored by the local Grange,
but was discontinued in the early 1930s due to its having accomplished its major pur
pose - to "get a certain number of farmers to try a new kind of crop such as sweet clo
ver or soybeans or to do something to improve their livestock."

Though many believed that it covered much more than a kind of crop or a particular
breed of livestock. It touched on many phases of better rural living. Sometimes it in
cluded a quilting exhibit or even a doll show. "It was a good thing all way round for it
brought townspeople and farmers together."

Lowell also had a lyceum course, in 1905-06 and 1906-07, held in the opera house.

This "went fine with a program of five events the first winter but failed the next year be
cause of the local manager's effort to take on too many events." The sixth event added
was a speaker who "failed to draw people as did the music and art; so that was the end
of it." The last lyceum was"just before the trolley came in the fall of 1908."

Lowell also had a community Chautauqua sometime in the late 1920s. This was held in
a tent on the school grounds. Little is recalled of the program which consisted of "talks,
music and some games for the children." It was put on by a traveling company on an
admittance charge basis.

Then, too, Lowell had free movies "brought in and given to the community by the mer
chants." They were provided in the summers of 1937 and 1938 by a man from New
Lexington who had a schedule of towns, sharing one night per week at each place.

Fifteen or more merchants in Lowell each contributed $1.50 or more per week for the
support of the program which showed some "westerns" but generally as good a run
of pictures as could be seen in the theatres anywhere. The program which drew large
crowds was discontinued not due to lack of interest but because, as some merchants
dropped out, the burden of financing fell too heavily on the others.

There was also a local Board of Trade, "from about 1913 on for a couple years.” This
may have been the same as the Board of Trade which helped get the river bridge that
had been washed out by the 1913 flood replaced. They had a list of petitioners that
they were so impressed with that they took steps to get the bridge reset almost imme
diately. Some have accredited this Board with a much broader objective - to rehabili
tate and improve the village after the disastrous 1913 flood. It has also been claimed
by some to have been responsible for ending delay on the part of U. S. government
officials in replacing a part of the dam which broke in 1917. It is held by others to have
ceased functioning before that time.

Lowell celebrated its 200th Birthday in 1995. Several events were planned for the cel
ebration, including: The Springfest at Buell Park on May 6 and 7. The 10 a. m. parade
on Saturday was led by Ohio's Lt. Gov. Nancy Hollister; a Homecoming at Buell Park
on June 24; a Bicentennial Dinner at Our Lady of Mercy Social Hall on September 30.
Local Historian Louise Zimmer was the guest speaker; and the Octoberfest was held
on October 7 and 8.

The new Veteran's Memorial was also dedicated to the honor of all people who served
in any war. A committee was formed about 1970 in hopes of raising enough money for
the memorial. Dale and Donna Lothes provided the land to make room for the monu
ment on Main Street. In 1995, the Lowell Area Veterans Memorial Committee included:
June Davis, Co-Chairman; Larry Pottmeyer, Co-Chairman; Jack Hill; Dave Hughes;
Roberta Fish; Mary Hinton; and Wanda Wagner.

The Kinney's Garrison monument was placed on the spot where Kinney's Garrison was built in 1795.

It was dedicated on April 7, 1894. The monument was eight feet high, with a marble
slab embedded in the front face containing the following inscription: "Site of Kinney's
Garrison, Built Early in April 1975, and occupied that Summer by Nathan and Mar
cy Kinney and children, William and Sally. Robert and Betsey Allison and children,
Charles, Nancy, William, Mary, Josiah, and Stephen. William and Drusilla Davis. Nich
olas and Rosamund Coburn. Oliver Dodge, Joseph Simons, Daniel Davis, Jr., and Asa
Coburn, Jr. Erected by the Chief Arataxal Club, Order of Ancient Mound Builders, April
7, 1894." The back of the slab contained a slate, on one side of which is a history of the
club; on the other side is inscribed the Manifesto of the General Objects of the Order.

Invitations had been sent out to special friends, but owing to unfavorable weather the
morning of the ceremony, they could not attend. The invitation card was a cabinet pho
tograph of Mound Builder's arrows and spearheads with the invitation inscribed.

At about 2 p.m. on the day of the ceremony, the weather having changed from rain
to sunshine, a large crowd assembled at the club hall, and with the club in advance,
marched to the monument. A song, "The Red, White, and Blue" and a prayer by the
Rev. Samuel Lewis, preceded the unveiling. The address was delivered by Chief Arax
tal (John D. Hollinger). The song, "America", was sung and the crowd was dismissed.
After the dedication of the Kinney Garrison Monument, a public installation of the of
ficers of the club was given at the club hall. A goodly number assembled to witness
the ceremonies. The Lowell Cornet Band was present and rendered lively music. The
exercises were opened with the song "Fraternity" by the choir. The biographies of the
families of Robert Allison and Asa Coburn, who were inhabitants of the Kinney Gar
rison were read. A declamation, The American Indian, was given by Chief G. Everett
(Wagner). Chief Willard (H. Davis) read an exhaustive article on the Mounds of Ad
ams Township. Then after Installation Ode, the officers-elect were formally installed by
Chief Kinar John (D. Hollinger) as follows: Araxtal Willard (H. Davis); Yermah Jesse (D.
Snyder); Orondo G. Everett (Wagner), Attyarroh Will (W. Ray), Mark Val (S. Wilking);
Lucre George (A. Phillips); Algoonah John (D. Hollinger); Azelia Etta (M. Hollinger);
Alknonmook Clarence (J. Keith). Chief Willard then read a number of Club chronicles,
after which the Closing Ode, "Good Night", was sung by the choir.

The monument was removed from its foundation and damaged during the 1913 flood.
In 1925, the monument was repaired by the village council. During the repairing, a list
of names of the members of the club was found on a slate back of the slab embedded
in the front of the monument. It had been damaged to such an extent, however, that
part of the names were illegible. Papers which were also found on the back of the slab
crumbled when they were removed.

A rededication ceremony was held at 11 a.m. on June 2, 1925. The ceremony was
planned by Mayor J. L. Mason and the village council. Mrs. George Rothley was in
charge of the program and in opening stated the purpose for which the monument was
erected and dwelt briefly upon the garrison and its occupants. She then presented D.
A. Leake, who gave an address, followed by J. T. Dillon.

In 1966, a group of 15-year-old boys led by Tom Henniger, sought to preserve the
Kinney Garrison Monument, which at that time was hidden by tall grass and crumbling
away without any attempt being made to preserve it.

A fence was built around the monument in the Spring of 1995 for the 200th
anniversary celebration.

The Lowell Bicentennial Commission and the village planted a vault containing local
history, artifacts, family genealogy, photographs, and other mementos in front of the
village offices on Walnut Street in 1995.

More than 500 people gathered around the village's offices for the event including American Legion Post 750 members, local dignitaries, and the students of Lowell Elementary School.The capsule will be opened in 2045. The items in the capsule will be placed in the Straight Run Schoolhouse on Buell Island.

Octoberfest

The Lowell Octoberfest has been held on Buell Island since 1976. It is held on the
first weekend in October. There is no admission or parking fee. Parking is available on
the Island and in the village. A footbridge is placed on the Canal near the roadside park
on State Route 60 for visitors to cross.

The festivities usually include live entertainment, a parade, a large number of flea mar
ket and craft booths, children's games or rides, a petting farm, and the raffling of items.
Helicopter rides were offered in 2018. The first Octoberfest Pageant and Mullet Contest
was held in 2022.

The parade starts at 10 am on Saturday. The first "Jim & Evelyn Lenhart Memorial Pa
rade" was held in 2022.

Flea Market & Craft vendors line up around the circle of the park. Vendors pay $2.50
per a frontal foot to set up during the Octoberfest. Vendors set up before the start of the
Octoberfest, usually on Thursday and Friday.

Raffle tickets are $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00. The drawing is held at 5 pm on Sunday.
There are large prizes offered each year.

The Octoberfest is also known for its homemade German food, including Kielbasa,
Grilled Bratwurst, Corned Beef Reuben, German Potato Salad, and Sauerkraut.

Whole and half-chickens are also sold, along with barbecue chicken. The L-A Volun
teer Fire Department takes care of cooking the chickens for the Octoberfest. They are
slow-roasted for three to three and a half hours on spits over open fires. An average of
1,000 chickens are made each year.

A number of volunteers help with the cooking and selling of the food. The volunteers
work in 3 or 4 hour shifts.

In 1975, Bob Peoples of Peoples Furniture and Funeral Home, wanted to get some of
the popular red and white bicentennial signs for Lowell and approached Mayor Dana
Coffman about it. Mayor Coffman's son-in-law, Thomas Shank, Sr., soon became in
volved with the project.

Mayor Coffman, Mr. Peoples, and Mr. Shank, soon discovered that in order to quali
fy for the Bicentennial signs a community had to meet one of the three requirements.
Since Lowell had already previously met two of the three requirements, the only option
left was a festival.

Mr. Shank soon had an idea. While in the Air Force, he spent four years in Germany,
and had attended a lot of the Octoberfests. So in light of Lowell's German heritage, he
suggested that the village hold a traditional Octoberfest.

His idea sparked festival-sprit within Lowell and soon, Dorothy Hupp, and about 40
other residents would set that suggestion to motion. Committees were set up and notes
were signed for beef and other items. A one-day celebration, that began with the "big
gest parade the town had ever seen" was planned.

But things didn't go as planned for the first Octoberfest. Rain poured early that Sat
urday. After a quick meeting at the American Legion, Mr. Shank, began to cancel the
festivities. There were no backup plans, not until Mr. Shank called the Fort Frye Band
Director to cancel the parade, and the band director said "What time do we go tomor
row?".

The first Octoberfest Committee consisted of: Thomas Shank, Chairman; Dorothy
Heiss, Secretary/Treasurer, Rev. Donal O’Carroll, Way & Means; Lawrence M. Ball,
Flea Market; Charlotte Wagner, Arts & Crafts; David Heiss, Building Committee; Bob
Farson, Parade Committee; Jim Gant, Advertising; Pamela Slack, Food; Katie Oakley
and Mildred Schwendeman, Raffle; Clarence Skinner, Children’s Games; Kaye Hall,
Queen Committee.

The first Octoberfest took place on October 9-10, 1976. It started with a 10 a.m. parade
with John Brian Lang and Judine Davis as Marshalls. This was followed by post-parade
activities on the Island. The Fort Frye Band played the National Anthem. Rev. Donal O’
Carroll gave the invocation. The Choral was performed by the Combined City Choirs.
Mayor Dana Coffman gave the welcoming address. Rev. Merle Farnsworth presented
Lowell History. The Crowing of the Queen was done by Jaye Hall. Float Judging was
done by Lyle Hanes, Dave Barabas, and Members of the Fort Frye History Depart
ment.

At Noon there was an Indian Dance by the Kootago Order of Arrow Boy Scouts. At
1 p.m. there were canoe races on the canal with Gary Vance as the announcer. At 2
p.m. there was a Banjo Picking Contest with Mr. Ring, Fort Frye Band Director, and Mr.
Boyd, owner of Boyd Music Store, serving as judges. At 6:45 p.m. raffle drawings start
ed, and at 7 p.m. there was square dancing with Charlie Clark’s Bunch. Other activities
and events, included: Hayrides, Children’s Games, a Horseshoe Pitching Contest, a
Greased Pig Contest, a Senior Citizens Art, Quilt & Craft Show at Township Hall, a
Spinning Demonstration by Lucy Stengel at People’s Furniture Store, a Tomahawk
Throwing Demonstration, an Antique Car Display, an Antique Steam Power Show, a
Super Modified Tractor Display, and performances by Ashtabula Folk Group, Country
Music Association, and the Northwest Territory Band.

The Lowell Springfest was held on the Island during the first weekend in May
from 1976 to 2017. It was nearly identical to the Octoberfest in festivities. Both
the Octoberfest and Springfest have been run by self-titled committees.

Ice Cream Social

On June 4, 1956, the ladies of the Lowell Fireman's Auxiliary had their organizational
meeting in the Lowell Grange Hall.

A second meeting was held to approve the by-laws, and then they were ready to start
raising money to help the firemen. Ocie Schmidt made a motion that the ladies have an
ice cream social.

July 28th was the day chosen for the first social. It was agreed to purchase the ice
cream from Broughtons Dairy at the cost of $6 for a five-gallon can. The original order
of 50 gallons was soon increased to 75 gallons. The menu included ice cream, cake,
pie, hot dogs, and pop. Cake Walks was the only additional activity. The August 6,
1956 meeting reported that the profits made at the first social was $246.09.

Ice Cream socials are still held every July on Buell Island. Menu items in recent years
have included: ice cream, hot dogs, coney dogs, chips, and drinks. Activities have in
cluded bingo, hay rides, a country store, and raffles.

Corn Roast

Corn Roast at the Post is an annual event held at the American Legion Post 750.

The Corn Roast offers food including corn on the cob, BBQ pork, Mac n cheese, street corn, watermelon, and baked goods, drinks, a country store, live music, 50/50, raffles, and other entertainment.

The corn roast is sponsored by local businesses.

The first Corn Roast was held on August 5, 2023 from 4-11. The second corn roast was held on Auust 3, 2024 from 4-11. The third corn corast was held on August 2, 2025 from 4-11.

Shop, Swap, and Stroll

Shop, Swap, and Stroll is a farmers market, craft show, flea market, and yard sale event held on Buell Island every year. It is organized by members of the community.

The event has free admission and parking. Vendors are not charged to set up, but donations are appreciated.

The first Shop, Swap, and Stroll was held in 2023. They were held on June 28, July 26, August 23, and September 27 from 4-8.

In 2024, they were held on May 1, June 5, July 3, and August 7 from 4:30-7:30.

In 2025, they were held on May 7, June 4, July 2, and August 6 from 4:30-7:30.

Early Settlers Day

The biggest civic-educational event in Lowell's past seems to have been the Early Set
tlers' Day, on May 13, 1938, celebrating the sesquicentennial of its founding. "The pa
rade was humorous, historical, and educational. The day's program was an outstand
ing success long to be remembered by everyone." Estimates of attendance for the day
average more than 3,000 people.

The program included parades, ceremonies at the monument; crowning of the May
Queen and honoring four attendants; pie eating, wood chopping, and other contests;
wheelbarrow and boat races; band and old fiddlers' musical numbers; old-time dance;
and early settler’s day ball. Many prizes contributed by different business firms includ
ing good luck horseshoes - souvenirs designed and made in Lowell - were given away.

A parade in the morning started at the schoolhouse and terminated at the Fortified Settlement monument on Main Street near the junction of Lock Street where the ceremonies were held. Under the direction of Mayor Fred Jackson, these included an invocation by Rev. O. W. Breuhaus, flag raising, several addresses, the dedication of the monument, and singing of the national anthem and America. Rev. Frank Donaldson of Beverly gave the dedicatory address. The addresses were given by H. E. Frye, Mr. Marsh of Columbus, and
Rev. H. A. Guiler. Frank Stacy and Donald Rice, direct descendants of first settlers, uncovered the monument. The monument bears an exact replica of the inscription on a monument directly across the river commemorating the site of Kinney's Garrison, built early in April 1795.

The inscription on the monument:
"About 800 feet south of this point, on the south bank of the Muskingum River is the
site of the

Fortified Settlement

Erected in April 1799, by Nicholas Coburn, Robert Allison, Nathan Kinney, William Da
vis and their families, and Oliver Dodge, Daniel Davis, Joseph Simons, and Asa Co
burn.

This temporary settlement was used until the end of Indian hostilities when each man
began to clear his own land. The colony was organized by Nicholas Coburn. The set
tlement was located on land owned by Nathan Kinney."

Erected by the people of this community April 7, 1938

A second parade in the late afternoon, moved "down Market Street to the State High
way, down that to McClain Street, up McClain to Third; up Third to Walnut, up Walnut
to Fourth, and up Fourth to the school grounds where it disbanded." Led by the high
school band, it included floats and novelty vehicles, fire department equipment and
personnel, ox-drawn covered wagons and old-time peddlers, and string orchestras,
playing as they went.

Miss Virginia Lee Stacy was crowned May Queen. Train bearers were Patty Stevens
and Betty Lou Schau. Attendants to the queen were Miss Marian Schwendeman, Ruth
King, and Joan Huck. The group occupied a float in the afternoon parade.

The celebration ball was held in the high school auditorium Friday evening with Walter
Wolfe's Orchestra of Parkersburg playing. An old-fashioned dance was enjoyed at the
town hall with Eichmiller's Orchestra playing.

Contests afforded much amusement included the johnboat race on the Canal in which
Norman Laughery won first place, Robert Lothes, second, and George Savage, 88,
third. There were six contestants.

In the wood-chopping contest, Willard Rhoads placed first. Albert King won the
wood-sawing contest, sawing a log through in 17 1/2 seconds.

Frank Mason of Reno won the Old Fiddler's contest and Charles Taylor placed second.
Lowell Seven Orchestra won first place in the music contest. The cross-cut saw contest
was won by Elmer Henniger and A. A. King. Neal Roff won the roller skating contest.
Vernon Chandler and Earl Dalton carried off honors in the pie-eating contest.

The floats in the afternoon parade were colorful. Lowell Grange float won first prize for
being the most beautiful. Clarence Huck had a novelty float which featured an old-time
threshing machine. Bernard Henniger had a unique float that was pulled by a dog with
children helping drive. Knights of Columbus at Marietta and the Storck Banking Com
pany entered floats that were especially beautiful.

Ohio State Highway Patrol and officials of the Sheriff's Office helped direct traffic.
Members of the committee in charge of the celebration included, W. V. Bowen, S. F.
Kile, Roy H. Henniger, Benjamin Bowden, V. C. Schietzer, F. F. Young, E. S. Brown,
Chester Schmidt, Andrew Forshey, August Wetz, D. D. Lowe, H. Basnett, and Fred E.
Jackson.

The entire program was sponsored most effectively by the Lowell Celebration Commis
sion which disbanded as soon as the job was finished. But, before another year "rolled
around" the Lowell Progressive Association had been organized, primarily for leader
ship in getting the village’s waterworks and sewer system. These improvements came
in 1939 when help from the P.W.A. and W.P.A. was available. They were promoted and
put across with a minimum of opposition, due in part, perhaps, to an almost universal
realization that when "Lowell really put her shoulder to the wheel things happened."

The objective of the Progressive Association was not limited to the promotion of the
water and sewer projects. Stated generally, it was "to further the nobler and better
purposes of life" so that the community might take its place among those of the state
and nation in attaining higher ideals of citizenship, and so that there would be manifest
a spirit of cooperation upon the part of all concerned. To achieve these ends the mem
bers pledged their loyal support. Anyone could become a member of the Association
upon payment of an annual fee of $1.00.

Another of the Association's major accomplishments was the staging of a Lowell Fall
Festival on October 14, 1939. This was described by some as to celebrate the installa
tion of the waterworks and sewer system, while others thought it was just another "gala
event but not as gala as the Old Settler's Day." It was a somewhat similar type of pro
gram with a parade, band concerts, fire fighting spectacle, open-air picture show, and
old-time dance.

The festival received a lot of attention for one of their attractions. The front page of The
Zanesville Signal on October 7, 1939 said "Gold Fish - Eating Contest is Highlight of
Coming Festival in Lowell".

John Simmons and Ralph Arbaugh were the only two contestants.

A glass bowl with a dozen or more goldfish swimming around was placed in full view
of the spectators. Spencer Kile was the Master of Ceremonies. He would reach into
the bowl, stir his hand around, and come up with fish. He would then toss it out to the
crowd to show everyone that they were real fish. He repeated this bit of "artistic verisi
militude" several times to still any doubt that the contest was faked.

Then Dr. E. G. Huston was summoned from the crowd, just in case anyone got sick.
These stunts convinced the last doubters and the show went on.

Arbaugh said "Doc swished his hand around in a bowl and angled a wiggling yellow
object over my mouth, and I ate it." A moment later he was chewing at the fish, and
despite occasional grimaces, it was evident that he was enjoying it too much.

The show was continued until Arbaugh had consumed four of the fish, and his oppo
nent had been able to consume only three. The winner was given a prize of $2.

Small boys with sharp eyes seated in the front row claimed that the fish bore a remark
able resembalance to carrots. A storm of good natured protests developed over Ar
baugh's achievements.

Arbaugh later admitted that "Doc would swish his hand around and stir up the water
and the pieces of carrots would seem to swim around just like the real goldfish in the
bowl."

Without a doubt, one activity of the Progressive Association before it "faded out of the
picture," was the raising of nearly $1,300 by subscription for a new fire truck. This truck
replaced a secondhand engine which had been bought by the village council in 1870.
The engine had been given a trial before it was purchased. "This was the test: would
the engine throw water over the old German Church? The suction hose was placed in
a cistern and the town's strongest men pushed the handlebars up and down. As the
stream splashed across the roof, the assembled population cheered." The engine was
bought and used until 1940 when, “the men of the Progressive Association worked as
hard getting funds for the fire truck as those fellows on the handlebars did testing the
old engine."

Other Events

American Legion Post 750 holds a steak fry every 3rd Saturday except in July and December.

Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church holds a fish fry every other Friday during Lent.

A Easter egg hunt is held by the Lowell Masonic Lodge #436 on Buell Island every year.

The Lowell Halloween Parade, sponsored by the Lowell Adams Volunteer Fire Department and Lowell American Legion Post 750, is held every year.

St. John's Evangelical Church sponsors Kids Fest every year. The fest features free food and games. It is held on Buell Island. The first Kids Fest was held on August 19, 2023, the second was held on August 10, 2024, and the third was held on August 9, 2025.

Lowell American Legion Post 750 holds a Memorial Day parade every year. The parade starts on Main Street, stops at Old German Cemetery and Cats Creek, and ends at Greenlawn Cemetery where a ceremony is held. A lunch is held afterwards for Legion members, the Lowell-Adams Fire Department, ball teams, bands and other parade watchers and participants.