Lowell Bicentennial Celebration Support Grants: Application Period Closed – Lowell, MA (.gov)

The City of Lowell is thrilled to announce the return of our Fourth of July Celebration at LeLacheur Park. Join us on July 4, 2026, for an evening filled with festive activities, entertainment, and a spectacular fireworks display – with added fun for Lowell’s Bicentennial celebrations.  
The festivities will kick off with live music, performed by local favorites Mike & Mike, sure to get you on your feet and dancing. Kids and families can enjoy fun activities, including face painting and performances from Cirque de Light and Bubbles McGee. Lowell-based band Tee and the Gents will put their spin on top hits, finishing with a rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner by frontwoman Tenesha Scarlett.  
The night will culminate in a beautiful fireworks show that will light up the sky over LeLacheur Park, creating the perfect finale to an evening of festivities. Special thanks to the Bicentennial Fundraising Committee and sponsors for bringing this enhanced performance to the City of Lowell. 
The park will be open to full capacity; however, tickets are required for all attendees. Tickets are free to all who would like to attend, and individuals are able to pick up tickets at the LeLacheur Park Box Office beginning at 4:00PM on Saturday, July 4 on a first-come, first-serve basis.  
Event Details 
Date: July 4, 2026 (Rain date: July 5, 2026) 
Time: Doors open at 6:00PM, entertainment begins at 6:30PM, Fireworks display begins at 9:00PM 
Location: LeLacheur Park, 450 Aiken St, Lowell, MA 
Admission: Free, tickets required and available starting at 4:00PM on July 4, 2026 at the LeLacheur Park Box Office.  
Free parking available at the George Ayotte Parking Facility, 11 Post Office Square, gates opening at 3:00PM 
Parking for a $10 fee will be available at the East Campus parking garage located next to the ballpark. 
“Lowell’s Fourth of July celebration is an ever-popular event, and a cornerstone of festival season,” said Mayor Erik R. Gitschier. “We are looking forward to welcoming everyone back for an evening of free, family-friendly entertainment and fireworks at LeLacheur Park.”  
“We’re particularly excited for this year’s Fourth of July festivities as we celebrate Lowell’s 200th birthday and the 250th birthday of our nation,” remarks City Manager Thomas A. Golden, Jr. “Through the collaboration of community partners, sponsors, and our Bicentennial Committee, celebrating our nation’s independence during our city’s 200th year will be unforgettable. We are also grateful to our ongoing partnership with UMass Lowell.” 
 
The Fourth of July Celebration in Lowell is made possible with the generous support of sponsors, including Albert E.J.Bergeron Insurance Agency, Blaze Partners – Boston Manchester Airport, Greater Lowell Community Foundation, Heritage Home Services, Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union, Lowell Five Cent Bank, Markley Group, TMI Property Management and Development Corporation, Woodard and Curran, and many more! Thank you to the Mill City Event Fund, chaired by Chris Dick, for your tireless efforts in fundraising for the 4th of July.  
In 2026, Fourth of July is supported by the Lowell Bicentennial Sponsors including: Eastern Salt Company, Greater Lowell Community Foundation, Lowell Five Bank, Mahoney Oil, Marty Meehan Foundation, Michael & Cindy Kuenzler, Rockland Trust, Shelagh Mahoney & Joe McNamee, Steven & Christine Panagiotakos, The Leonsis Foundation, The Demoulas Foundation, UMass Lowell, and Winn Companies- among countless sponsors, collaborators, and partners.  
For more information, please visit: https://www.likelowell.com/july4th 

The City of Lowell announces that applications for the Lowell Bicentennial Celebration Support Grants, funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), are no longer being accepted.
This funding opportunity provided up to $250,000 in grant funding to support cultural and creative initiatives that contributed to Lowell's Bicentennial celebration and strengthen the city's cultural economy.
The application period is now closed, and no additional submissions will be accepted. Applications received prior to the closure will continue through the review process.
The City of Lowell thanks all businesses, organizations, cultural institutions, event producers, and community partners who submitted proposals and are helping make the Lowell Bicentennial a meaningful celebration of our city's 200-year history.
Questions regarding the grant program may be directed to Melissa Desroches, Executive Assistant to the City Manager, by email, mdesroches@lowellma.gov, or phone, (978) 674-1087.
For more information about Lowell's Bicentennial year, please visit https://lowellma200.org/

An aspiring children's clothing shop owner, an artist, and the owner of a new graphic design firm were among those who connected with local and regional resources at a workshop organized by the City of Lowell's Economic Development Office and Division of Development Services (DDS).
The event was aimed at helping entrepreneurs in the City of Opportunity connect with a wide variety of resources in place to help foster innovation and drive.
On Tuesday, May 26, Lowell's Economic Development Office and DDS partnered with Community Teamwork Inc.'s Entrepreneurship Center, the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Jeanne D'Arc Credit Union and the U.S. Small Business Administration to provide a Start and Grow Your Small Business Workshop to about two dozen attendees.
Held on the sunlit deck of Gary's Tipico on Andover St, the workshop featured local and regional development leaders, bankers, and city code inspectors who provided entrepreneurs with an overview of how to create a business plan, how to finance a business, how to find and prepare property, and more. Speakers also provided information on regulatory requirements, financial assistance opportunities, and technical assistance resources. 
City of Lowell Employee Community Liaison Ineabelle Dominguez and City of Lowell Economic Development Specialist Maria da Silva Dickinson organized the event and worked to ensure it provided resources to all of Lowell's communities. The free workshop was inclusive and included interpretation into Spanish, Portuguese, and Khmer.
Following presentations from partners, attendees networked, asking specific questions about their dreams and businesses and forming relationships.
"Often entrepreneurs feel overwhelmed, scared or helpless when trying to start or grow their small business. The goal of this workshop was to educate our entrepreneurs about all the free resources and programs available to them from business planning to permitting and licensing guidance – to let them know that they're not on this journey alone and that we're here to help them succeed," said Dickinson. "Lowell was recently named as the 2nd best U.S. city for starting a small business — a testament to the great resources and support that we provide to our small businesses."
"This was a special evening to bring together City staff and community partners to help residents take their first steps toward building something meaningful in Lowell," said Dominguez. "Whether someone is opening their first storefront, launching a creative business, or simply exploring an idea, we want them to know there is a network of support here ready to help them succeed in our community."
"Lowell is the City of Opportunity because of our history of fostering entrepreneurship, innovation, and dreams. Supporting those who want to create small businesses is absolutely vital," said City Manager Thomas A. Golden, Jr. "We want our community to know that the City and our regional partners are here to support everyone who wants to build their dreams."
For more information on the supports available to new and aspiring small business owners, contact the Economic Development Office:

City of Lowell Economic Development Specialist Maria da Silva Dickson leads a free and inclusive Start and Grow Your Small Business Workshop at Gary's Tipico on Andover St. The workshop brought together regional partners to connect new and aspiring small business owners with the wealth of supports that are available to help them build their dreams.

City of Lowell Employee Community Liaison Ineabelle Dominguez welcomes attendees to the Start and Grow Your Small Business Workshop. Dominguez helped organize the free workshop, which was inclusive and included translation and interpretation into Spanish, Portuguese, and Khmer.

City of Lowell Economic Development Specialist Nicole Burgos listens to the questions of an aspiring small business owner at the workshop.
Two City of Lowell code inspectors, Marcos de Oliveira and Matt Sheehan, listen to the questions of an aspiring small business owner.

Ani Vong, Small Business Coordinator at Community Teamwork Inc.'s Entrepreneurship Center, speaks with an aspiring business owner. 

Sreang Heng, Coordinator at Khmer Language Services Lowell, provided on-site Khmer language interpretation for workshop attendees.

Christopher Del Valle, Business Development Officer for Jeanne D'Arc Credit Union (JDCU), provides a briefing on securing financing for small businesses.

Effective October 1, 2025, UltraBenefits will be changing its name to Point C. 
Plan benefits will remain the same. 
The HRA plan will continue to reimburse eligible out-of-pocket expenses as it previously has for:
For updated forms and contact information, please visit the Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) webpage.

 Notice Regarding Form 1095-C Availability
 
In accordance with updated IRS regulations, reporting entities are no longer required to automatically furnish Form 1095-C to covered individuals and full-time employees unless specifically requested. Form 1095-C is a tax document related to health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This form is generally not required for tax filing purposes in Massachusetts, but individual circumstances may vary. 
 
Starting with 1095-C forms for the 2025 calendar year, forms will no longer be mailed to employees. Current and former employees can request the form as outlined below.
 
How to Request Your Form 1095-C
To request a printed copy of your Form 1095-C please contact us using one of the methods below:
 
 
Email:                        Humanresources@lowellma.gov
 
Mailing Address:       City of Lowell
Human Relations Office
Attn: Nancy Do
                                    375 Merrimack Street- Room 19
                                    Lowell, MA 01852
 
Phone:                        978-674-4105
 
 
Deadline for Requests
Requests will be processed and mailed within thirty (30) days of receipt. This notice will remain on our website until October 15, 2026.
 
If you have any questions regarding Form 1095-C or this process, please do not hesitate to contact the Human Relations Office.

Lowell City Hall and all offices are currently operating on a regular schedule.

2026 Household Hazardous Waste Days are April 4, 2026, and November 7, 2026, from 9:00AM – 12:00PM, at DPW, 1365 Middlesex StFor more information, visit: https://lowellma.gov/195/Solid-Waste-Recycling
Recycling Compactor Hours:
The Recycling Compactor is located at DPW, 1365 Middlesex St.The compactor is kept locked. When you arrive, please call (978) 674-4309 to have it unlocked.
2026 Yard Waste Collection Schedule
March 16, 2026 – May 22, 2026: Weekly CollectionMay 25, 2026 – October 9, 2026: Biweekly CollectionOctober 12, 2026 – December 18, 2026: Weekly Collection
Stickers for barrels available at:
Please visit https://lowellma.gov/195/Solid-Waste-Recycling to sign up online for real time schedule/holiday updates.
The full calendar, including holiday schedule, specific to your address is available at https://lowellma.gov/195/Solid-Waste-Recycling
Additionally, you can download the FREE smartphone app Lowell Recycle to receive updates and alerts.
Click here to report a missed pickup of trash, recycling, and/or yard waste
Click here to report a broken trash/recycle cart
For updates on trash, recycling, or yard waste collection please visit: https://lowellma.gov/195/Solid-Waste-Recycling

The City is seeking qualified applicants for positions in various Departments.

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Lowell City Hall
375 Merrimack Street
Lowell, MA 01852

Phone: 978-674-4000
Email Us
Monday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Tuesday: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Wednesday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Thursday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m. – Noon

Other departments may have other hours. Please check their webpage for specific hours.

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