By RACHEL R. BRIERE, Sun Staff
LOWELL -- "On ya mahk! Get set! Go!" Andy St. Onge yelled in his true Boston accent.
In an instant, a whitewash of snow took onlookers by surprise, hitting them in their already cold cheeks. College co-eds yelped and whistled from atop icy metal bleachers. Young children held their hot cocoa tight as spectators celebrated a win with thumping, mitten-covered high-fives.
"And the winnah is ... Hookslide Kelly's," announced St. Onge, director of special events for the city.
The new downtown Lowell watering hole beat out the "Wicked Irish" in one of the first double-elimination rounds of the National Human Dog Sled Competition. They will return to the race track outside City Hall today at 4 p.m. for the finals.
There were 47 heats to warm up the crowd as Lowell's seventh annual WinterFest kicked off last night. The one-of-a-kind event draws some of the biggest crowds to the mushing track. And it isn't the human dog-sled teams' athletic abilities that thrill the flock -- it's their creative costumes. Where else in the country can you watch a group of grown men donning diapers and racing down a snow-covered track against young women dressed as a mock wedding party -- bride and all?
Local organizations, schools, hospitals and restaurants vie to win gift certificates valued from $250 to $1,000 in the races. The prize money doesn't mean as much as the bragging rights.
"We'll get that trophy and a chance to go na-nah-na-na-nah-nah," said Gen Parasole, secretary for Lowell's Moody Elementary School and, for the evening, Glenda the Good Witch from The Wizard of Oz.
Parasole and her co-workers dubbed their team "There's No Place Like The Moody," dressing as characters from the classic film. Even the principal, Jason McCrevan, got in the act as the Tin Man. Their rival in the first round of double elimination -- Washington Elementary School.
Across the street from the Lowla Bear Stadium, the line outside the Masonic Temple for entry to the North Bowl Soup Competition was at least 100-people deep before its grand opening. Paul and Jeanne Siopes were the only two to outsmart the rest of the salivating soup sippers. The pair waited at the little-known second entrance in the rear of the Glacier Gallery.
"We knew the trick. This is the place to be. Don't give out the secret," laughed Paul Siopes.
As they entered the tasting hall, the hungry herd yelped in protest, but a WinterFest worker quickly snapped back, telling them that they came through an official entrance.
"We didn't wait too long because we got here early," said Carol Berry of Chelmsford as she sampled a spoonful of shrimp and andouille sausage gumbo from the Rivers Edge Restaurant. "This is my favorite so far."
Over at the Tsongas Arena, a free skate and kid's activities attracted a slew of teenagers and young adults. General Manager Craig Gates and LZ Nunn, executive director of the Cultural Organization of Lowell, estimated there were about 4,000 at the arena. Today they expect upward of 6,000.
"It's a hip hang-out. There's lots of energy and we expect even more tomorrow," said Nunn.
Rachel R. Briere's e-mail address is rbriere@lowellsun.com.
This story appeared in the Lowell Sun on Saturday, February 10, 2007
LOWELL -- Marshmallows were roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost was nipping at our collective noses. Who needs Yuletide carols when hip-hop was blasting through the speakers outside City Hall at WinterFest '07?
The famed human dog-sled races were a hit again this year and the toast-your-own-marshmallow fundraiser by the Lowell Rotary Club was a nice addition. The Tsongas Arena was a child's dream with a chocolate factory, free skating and art making booths open all day.
Now in its seventh year, the city's present to its residents has hit its stride.
KATHLEEN PIERCE
This story appeared in the Lowell Sun on Sunday, February 11, 2007