By Richelle Kimble

For the 11th year, the Lowell community is dressing their local businesses, streets and civilians with pink to band together for the Pink Arrow Pride celebration. Spanning three weeks, Pink Arrow Pride is dedicated to raising charity funds and cancer awareness through three main events: Pink Arrow Community Day (Aug. 16) Lowell vs. Rockford varsity football game (Aug. 30), and the Quiver 5K Run (Sept. 8).

Since 2008, Pink Arrow Pride has grown immensely from the initial inception. The first year, football coach Noel Dean geared his team with pink jerseys, replacing the players’ last names with last names of cancer survivors or those in memory. Surrounded by a stadium of pink and sounds of pink thunder sticks being clapped by relentless fans and supporters, the varsity team played their way to a win and raised $93,000 for cancer charities. Growth and support from the community and beyond continued to expand, even landing a spotlight on The Today Show.

Pink Arrow Community Day commences Pink Arrow Pride on August 16 in historic downtown Lowell during the city’s summer Farmer’s Market and Sizzlin’ Summer Concert Series (10 a.m. – 7 p.m.). Focusing on health, the Wellness Pink Arrow Health Fair delivers resources and information to the community and educates children through health-centric activities. Adults can hop in Spectrum Health’s brand new mobile bus and receive a mammogram onsite, or join the generosity by donating blood; for every person who participates in the blood drive at Community Day, Michigan Blood is donating $10 to Gilda’s Club of Lowell.

A week later, trek to the Red Arrow Memorial Stadium to experience the origins of Pink Arrow Pride as the LHS varsity football team kicks off the evening in honor of those who’ve battled cancer in a game against Rockford High School on August 31 at 7 p.m. Prepare for an energetic, packed stadium swarming with pink and positive vibes from the community. If running for charity is more your style, don’t miss the Quiver 5K Run and Family Walk held in downtown Lowell on September 8. All tickets, merchandise, and sponsorships contribute to Pink Arrow Pride fund raising!

Amaranth, rose, magenta — whatever your favorite shade is, sport it proud as you join the Lowell community’s 11th annual Pink Arrow Pride event. To register for the Quiver 5K Run, donate, and learn more information about the series of celebrations, visit pinkarrowpride.org.

What: 2018 Pink Arrow Pride XI

Where: Lowell Community

When: Aug. 16, Aug. 30, and Sept. 8, 2018

Cost: Prices vary by event