Lowell Lisonbee Commission approves special one-day liquor licenses for campus events, nonprofit fundraiser and Oktoberfest

Sept. 11, 2025 — The Lowell Lisonbee Commission approved special one-day liquor licenses for multiple upcoming events, including two UMass Lowell receptions hosted by Aramark, a Project Learn fundraising reception, the Hawktoberfest beer festival and two private events at the Hellenic Center.

The approvals permit the sale and service of beer and wine or all alcoholic beverages at the listed dates and locations. Applicants provided event dates, expected attendance and confirmed that certified bartenders would staff the events; in one case, the university arranged event security.

Elizabeth Lopez, applying on behalf of Aramark at the Sonkus Center for two UMass Lowell events, told the commission, "At the first 1, it's gonna be a 100, and at the second 1, it'll be a 100 as well." The commission granted licenses for a women's field hockey alumni and captain's reception on Sept. 21, 2025, at Costello Gym, 275 Riverside St., and a Mass Society of Professors meet-and-greet on Sept. 22, 2025, at Coburn Hall, 850 Broadway St. The motion to approve was seconded by Commissioner Tang and carried by voice vote.

Catarina Patino, representing Project Learn, described a grand-opening fundraiser at the Project Learning Lab, 26 Central St., scheduled for Sept. 30, 2025, saying, "Project Learn is a nonprofit that collaborates with Lowell public schools, and we open a brand new space. So we are doing the grand opening, the cup, the ribbon cut, and we're doing a fundraising." She told the commission the event expects about 100 attendees and will use a third-party professional bartending company with three certified bartenders. Commissioner Mercier moved approval; Commissioner Tang seconded and the license was approved.

Donald Curry of Epigram Brewing Company said the Hawktoberfest fundraiser, to be held Oct. 4, 2025, at Edward LeLacheur Park (Lassure Field), will be a Munich-style beer festival that the brewery hopes becomes an annual event. Curry said, "This first year is going to be at the Lassure Field. It is called the Oktoberfest," and estimated "approximately 20 to 25 brewers" would provide tastings. He told the commission UMass Lowell would handle security for the event and that his business would cover security costs. The commission approved the one-day license after a motion and second.

Amanda Etinge requested two special one-day licenses for fundraisers and a private celebration at the Hellenic Center, 41 Broadway St., on Sept. 20 and Sept. 27, 2025, each running 7 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. She said the fundraiser aims to send children in her home country back to school, stating, "We're raising funds so that we can send the children back in my country, to schools, get them supplies and stuff." Commissioners moved, seconded and approved the licenses; she appeared to participate by videoconference.

All motions to approve the licenses were carried by voice vote with commissioners present voting in the affirmative. The commission’s record shows four members present at roll call and one absent.

Discussion was limited to applicants’ event details, bartender certification and, in the case of the university event, confirmation that UMass Lowell would handle on-site security. No conditions beyond the special-license approvals were listed in the meeting record.

Less-critical agenda items later in the meeting included amended dates for gallery receptions and paperwork examples related to conditionally approved licenses, which the commission received as information only.