Vandenberg Esplanade

 Heritage State Park, Lowell, MA

Sampas Pavilion

The Vandenberg Esplanade is a paved trail on the banks of Merrimack River, Lowell, MA only a mile long, or may be slightly more than a mile, because of the loop it forms around the Sampas Pavilion. It was named after the prominent Republican member, Hoyt Vandenberg, of the US senate. His family moved to Lowell, Massachusetts, in 1910 and Hoyt participated in high school sports, with also with an avid interest in Scouting. He ultimately became an Eagle Scout. He attended the Moody Grammar School and graduated from Lowell High School Class of 1917. The Vandenberg Esplanade by the Merrimack River in Lowell was dedicated to him in 1977 by Gov.Dukakis.

The most important feature of Vandenberg Esplanade is Sampas Pavilion, an outdoor amphitheater in our neighborhood, Pawtucketville, Lowell, Massachusetts and is part of Lowell Heritage State Park.  It has a seating capacity of approximately 1000 with benches all around the loop for people to sit and enjoy performances, such as music concert, and dances and shows performed by the kids every Thursday evening. It has also been in use since 1970s for various ethnic festivals, fourth of July fireworks for the city, and motorcycle rallies every Tuesday weekly. Unfortunately, all that activities have been on hold since Covid hit in 2020 and still have not been fully resumed, although some very important and lively events have been taking hold slowly.

The motorcycle rally was a gathering of motorcycle enthusiast. They called it Two Wheel Tuesdays. They held exciting shows, and the event was attended, literally, by hundreds of people with or without motorcycles. They enjoyed the opportunity to meet fellow riders, attend amazing display of bikes, demonstration, and get information about the sponsors and vendors. This event had a $3/- admission per person. 

The Heritage Farm ice cream Restaurant across the street from the pavilion made people with family and kids smile with great ice cream and great food. They played a large part in supporting innumerable activities throughout the summer, and according to one of the park attendant Bob Howard, the owner of the Heritage ice cream sponsored benches for the performances which offered entertainment not only for the Lowell residents, but also those who came from many surrounding areas. It was a great business success for the owner. But unfortunately, he retired. The following video is about Bob Howard’s legacy in his own words.

The new owners are still in the process of construction before opening. I wish them the same success.

The ethnic Festivals held at Sampas Pavilion bring Lowell residents an incredible opportunity of exposure to world culture and the cuisine. We have attended Cambodian, Puerto Rican, Indian, and even Gambian, West African festivals. 
The Gambian festival was an incredible thrill as we were able to meet and connect with members of the Gambian diaspora in Lowell at a personal level as we had a tincture of their culture, and knowledge and taste of their amazing food by living in the Gambia, West Africa for four years from August 1972 through August 1976. My husband was posted to the Gambia as an OB- GYN consultant through the United Kingdom’s Overseas Development Program. 

This year the summer activities were kicked off on March 11, 2024, and hundreds of people lined the banks of the Merrimack River along Pawtucket Boulevard for the crew club championship races. A busy atmosphere engulfed the bank of the river as boats cruised up and down the river, as others enjoyed the meal they prepared for their respective races. There were people sitting on the benches, there were entertainer playing their instruments for the crowds.

.There was also an all-day affair of Indian Festival which came to the Sampas Pavilion on Sunday, June 16, 24. Crowd were spilling out in incredible numbers. All the stalls ranged from authentic Indian food from area restaurants. There was an ample choice of things to buy ranging from clothes to jewelry, and more. The affair went on until 5 pm. But the rules are that they have to leave the place very clean, so an hour of cleaning time was allowed for them to be there until 6 pm.