Lowell came into existence as a town in 1826 but was incorporated as a city, the third in Massachusetts, in 1836. That makes 2011 the city’s 175th birthday. The party will be held this coming Monday, April 11, 2011, the actual anniversary. Festivities will kick off at 4:20 pm with a multicultural parade beginning at St Anne’s Church and ending on the front steps of City Hall. Marching in the parade will be the Lowell High School Band and members of the city’s various ethnic groups clad in their traditional garb. At City Hall, there will be a short musical program by the LHS Band and the Gentleman Songsters followed by a speaking program of elected officials. That portion of the program will conclude with local singing sensation Amy Black doing an acoustic version of the “Mill Girl Song.”

Immediately after the program on the front steps of City Hall, members of the Lowell Historic Board will lead tours of the interior of City Hall. The evening will wrap up in the Mayor’s Reception Room with a birthday cake. All are invited to attend.