During the height of mill operation in Lowell and other industrial centers in the northeast, the tradition of “blowing out balls” on the spring equinox lit the mills with light, music, and cheer each March. On the equinox, folks across the city would come together to celebrate the lengthening of daylight: from the next day until the fall, an entire 12-hour shift could complete in daylight, without the use of dim and noxious lamps.

Join Footwork & Frolick for an evening of 1830s-1850s dancing in the spirit of the Lowell mill workers in one of the original mills! Tickets on Sale December 2024.