At a meeting of the Lowell Board of Trade Wednesday, March 4^th, 1931, the thought was expressed by President N.E. Borgerson that we sponsor a homecoming and celebration this year in observance of the 100^th anniversary of the founding of Lowell. It was voted to have the Board of Directors meeting the Lowell Woman’s club with the view of having them co-operate with us in staging the celebration. They very graciously accepted to enter into the work and to stage a historical pageant as a special feature.

The dates were then set for the events—August 6, 7, 8, 1931.

President Borgerson made the following appointments to start the plans for the Centennial:

GeneralCentennial Chairman, Dexter G. Look; Vice Chairman, N.E. Borgerson; History, V. E. Ashley; Publicity, W. W. Gmser; Parade, F. A. Madigan; Safety, Fred Gramer; Decorations, F. J. McMahon; Sports, T. A. Gazella; Program C. H. Runciman; Housing, E. A. Thomas; Reception and Invitation, M.N. Henry.

Centennial headquarters were set up in the Lee block at 121 W. Main St. Activities started at once, Committee heads and members visited other towns and cities where Centennial celebrations had been held, neighboring friends and boosters were invited to Lowell to join us with us in effecting a program and celebration of the highest calibre. Correspondents from the Grand Rapids Herald and Grand Rapids Press were making weekly trips to Lowell to secure information for publication in their papers concerning our plans, early history, and interesting facts connected with Lowell and its progress.

President Borgerson appointed John Arehart and Will Christiansen as the Budget committee. It was necessary to raise money, of course, to defray the expenses of our undertaking. These two men did a fine job as the members of the Board of Trade came through with pledges of financial and moral support to guarantee a successful celebration. The village of Lowell also cooperated to the extent that they would assume all responsibilty for decorating the streets, labor and general service during the week of the Centennial.

The celebration was to be staged mainly at Lowell Recreation park, one of our outstanding possessions. Our grandstand, while a sizeable one, was not large enough to take care of the seating capacity. A very fine purchase was made by the Board of Trade at this point in securing bleachers of ususual quality and construction through the alertness and interest of Pres. Borgerson, G. D. Cook, E. C. Foreman, P.C. Peckham and others. The seating capacity of these bleachers was 1700 and originally sold for $1,800. They were obtained for practically $400 complete. The Lowell Board of Education showed their colors when they came through to stand $200 of this expense.

An amateur boxing contest was staged at Recreation Park the evening of July 2^nd. This contest was under the direction of Parade Chairman Madigan and well attended. It provided additional funds for our celebration.

Mayor M. N. Henry, D. G. Look, R. G. Jefferies, Will Winchell, Harry Day, E. R. Kniffin, John Arehart, G. D. Cook, Chas. Doyle, C. H. Runciman, N. E. Borgerson, H. L. Weekes, and other members made several trips to surrounding towns and cities, meting with city officials. In practically every place they were favored with assurance that they would have floats, bands, drum, bugle corps, etc., here Aug. 7^th to enter the parade.

With the approach of the centennial dates it was found that plans were completed and everything functioning splendidly. Wkeely meetings were held so all committees and members could exchange ideas and formulate the best plans for every event.

A Centennial Queen contest was conducted previous to the Centennial dates and the merchants issued tickets for all cash purchases and paid accounts. The queen candidates were also selling tickets to the Strand theatre, each sale giving them additional tickets and additional revenue for the Board of Trade. This contest was very efficiently conducted by P. C. Peckham and Paul Kellogg.

The Michigan Greater Shows were engaged to furnish shows, rides, etc., for the occasion. Spaces was rented concessions and practically every foot of available used to lay out a midway. Will Winchell of Ionia had charge of this work and did a good job.

With the morning of August 6^th, everything was in readiness. The streets were gayly decorated, the midway was in full regalia and a carnival atmosphere was in evidence among the crowds assembled. Former Lowell residents were registering at headquarters. At noon the people were treated to delicious sandwiches from the ox-roast at Recreation park with sparkling lemonade as a chaser. This ox-roast was under the supervisionof L.W. Rutherford and thousands were served. At two in the afternoon former governor Chase S. Osborn gave an address at Recreation park.

The crowning of the Centennial Queen, Miss Emma Kropf, was enacted at Recreation park by the Hon. Chase S. Osborn on the same afternoon.

The Lowell American Legion band under the direction of Charles H. White, gave a find band concert. At 3:30 a ball game between the Lowell Independents and Alto Independents ended in a victory for Lowell. T. A. Gazella ably conducted the game. At seven in the evening a balloon ascension and parachute drop was enacted. At 8:15 the Pageant of Progress was staged before an overflowing crowd. This was easily one of the outstanding events of the centennial. The author of this pageant was Mrs. Thelma Hahn, a Lowell girl, and showed considerable time and work. Mrs. C. H. Reynolds and members of the Woman’s club deserved plenty of credit for its splendid work. The cast was all Lowell people and surely they were well chosen.