Lowell has a great tradition of festivals. Last week I posted the lineup of performances in the summer of 1990. Today, the schedule of “Festival ‘81”, a weeklong roster of events built around Memorial Day 1981.

Miss Lowell Festival ’81 Beauty Pageant

Friday, May 22, 1981

9 am to 9 pm: Acadian Traveling Art Exhibition – City Hall Lobby. Sponsored by the Canadian government. Display includes art work, pottery describing French legends, and wood sculpture.

8 pm to 10 pm: Angelo Picardi in concert – City Hall Plaza. Singer Angelo Picardi with comedian Billy Kelly and Tom LeMark conducting the orchestra.

Saturday, May 23, 1981

9 am to 5 pm: Acadian Art Exhibit continues at City Hall.

12 pm to 10 pm: International Buffett – City Hall Plaza.

1 pm to closing; International Entertainment – City Hall Plaza. A program of music, dancers and songs: Irish tunes, Indian dances, Armenian singers and more.

8 pm to 12 am: Victorian Ball – Lowell Memorial Auditorium. Victorian or formal dress is preferred at this dance sponsored by the Lowell Historical Society. Admission is $10.

Sunday, May 24, 1981

11 am to 5 pm: Acadian Art Exhibit continues at City Hall.

12 pm to 7 pm: International Buffet at City Hall Plaza

12 pm to closing: Entertainment at City Hall Plaza. International folk songs, ethnic dancers, Middle Eastern orchestra, line dancing and more.

1 pm to 4 pm: Antique Auto Show on Arcand Drive.

1 pm to 3 pm: Sixth Annual Circus Calliope at Lowell Memorial Auditorium.

2 pm to 3 pm: Memorial Day Parade, downtown.

3:30 pm to 5 pm: Miss Lowell Festival ’81 Beauty Pageant at City Hall Plaza.

Monday, May 25, 1981

9 am to 2 pm: “Love Lowell Race,” Friends of Lowell High Annual Road Race & Flea Market at Cawley Stadium.

10 am to 4 pm: Arts & Crafts Show at City Hall Plaza, with folk music and poetry readings.

5 pm to 7 pm: Fashion Show at City Hall Plaza. Fashions of yesterday and today.

8 pm to 10 pm: Lowell Opera Company at City Hall Plaza. Light opera and patriotic songs.

Tuesday, May 26, 1981

10 am to 2 pm: Spring Fling, continues at City Hall Plaza.

8 pm to 10 pm: Choral Festival at Lowell Memorial Auditorium. La Chorale Orion, Byzantine Men’s Choir, Saint Catherine’s Choir, University Singers, Immaculate Conception Choir, Franco-American Male Chorus, Saint Michael’s Choir, Lowell High School Chorale, Chelmsford Choral Group.

Thursday, May 28, 1981

10 am to 2 pm: Spring Fling continues at City Hall Plaza.

7 pm to 9 pm: Richie Dee Orchestra in Concert, on Merrimack Street.

8 pm to 10 pm: The Lowell Play (Opening Night) at Smith Baker Center, 400 Merrimack Street. “If the Falls Could Speak,” an exciting new play by David Riley about the history of Lowell. A production by the Merrimack Regional Theatre.

Friday, May 29, 1981

10 am to 2 pm: Spring Fling continues at City Hall Plaza.

7 pm to 9 pm: Leite Concert Winds at City Hall Plaza. Broadway show tunes and classical music performed by 24-piece orchestra.

8 pm to 10 pm: The Lowell Play, “If the Falls Could Speak,” at Smith Baker Center.

Tour de Lowell Bike Race

Saturday, May 30, 1981

9 am to 2 pm: Tour de Lowell Bike Race. Downtown Lowell. Just like “Breaking Away,” sponsored by Lowell Sun.

10 am to 4 pm: Lowell Library Book Sale at City Hall Plaza.

12 pm to 5 pm: International Bazaar on City Hall Plaza. Food, arts and crafts, and entertainment.

8 pm to 10 pm: The Lowell Play, “If the Falls Could Speak,” at Smith Baker Center.

Sunday, May 31, 1981

12 pm to 1 pm: Merrimack Valley Chapter of the Sweet Adelines at City Hall Plaza. The barber shop sound in song.

1:15 pm to 1:30 pm: Improvisational Dance (repeated at 4:15 and 6:45)

2 pm to 4 pm: Square Dancing at City Hall Plaza. Join in with the Town Travelers of Lowell and caller Tom Rinker.

8 pm to 10 pm: The Lowell Play, “If the Falls Could Speak,” at Smith Baker Center

8 pm to 10 pm: Richie Dee Orchestra in Concert, on Merrimack Street.

Other Events

Lowell National & State Park Tours. 3 hour canal barge and trolley tour and self-guided tours.

Works of art from the permanent collection of the Lowell Art Association on display at the Whistler House.

Spindle City Garden Club flower display at the Parker Gallery at the Whistler House.

The Lowell Conference on Industrial History, May 21-22, at University of Lowell.

“Weaving: The Irish Inheritance,” new exhibit at the Lowell Museum on Suffolk Street opens May 15.

Art Exhibition at Art Alive! Gallery, 200 Merrimack Street.