LOWELL — New York City is known for the gigantic Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center, Boston attracts crowds to Frog Pond for ice skating, and Springfield touts Bright Nights as a family holiday destination.

But what does Lowell have?

If John Power has his way, all smokestacks in the Mill City would be illuminated like his 256-footer at Wannalancit Mills — a city marketing project he started pushing for last holiday season.

However, a year later, he hasn’t been able to get other mill owners’ full commitment to the plan.

“This is a unique opportunity, a huge opportunity to separate Lowell from the pack, but I just haven’t hooked the other owners yet,” said Power, managing director of Boston-based Farley White Interests, which holds a major stake at the Wannalancit. “This would be a transformative event in my opinion.

“It’s frustrating because we have a real opportunity to get families and friends from miles and miles away to check out these enormous smokestacks all lit up,” he added. “Other mill owners have listened to my pitch, but so far, I just haven’t gotten the momentum.”

The smokestack at Wannalancit has traditionally received this festive treatment, coinciding with the City of Lights parade on Thanksgiving weekend. The smokestack Christmas tree consists of 5,440 light bulbs on 32 cables tethered to a 102-foot diameter angle ring at the base, topped with a 19-foot star.

In the last year, Power and city representatives met with mill owners, asking them to consider lighting up their smokestacks as well.

“We’ve had progress talking to them, but I want to help these owners take the next step,” Power said. “As a private investor in real estate, you don’t want to be on the hot seat. But if they can tell me why they’re not doing it, maybe we can help them get past that hurdle.

“The great thing in this city is people in the community help you jump hurdles,” he added.

Start-up costs for illuminating a smokestack can range between $25,000 to $100,000, depending on the height of the structure and whether it’s attached to the building or free standing. Power placed the cost between $20,000 and $30,000 for the holiday season, with the bulk of the cost in assembly, rather than the electricity used to illuminate the LED lights.

Jim Lichoulas, developer of Mill No. 5 on Jackson Street, has met with Power about illuminating the mill’s smokestack. Lichoulas said he’d “love to do it but this holiday season snuck up on me.”

“Time is just flying by,” Lichoulas said. “I really like the idea of it, though. I think it can bind the community together with all the smokestacks scattered around.

“I also really like what Cross Point has done with their color lights,” he added.

Diane Tradd, the city’s planning and development director, said Lichoulas has been positive about the project.

“It (lighting up the smokestacks) is definitely something we’d like to have happen,” Tradd said. “It’d be great for economic development and marketing the city.”

“I think it would bring attention to the city, spurring holiday spirit and bringing people downtown,” added Lowell Mayor Rodney Elliott. “I just think it’s a good opportunity to get other mill owners to participate and make it a citywide event.”

Lowell City Manager Kevin Murphy also said it’s an “excellent idea” and hopes the other mill owners consider following suit.

If one or two owners jump on board for next year, then it can start a movement, Power emphasized.

“People will then hop on this,” Power said. “It can just blossom and take off.”

The City of Lights Parade and City Hall Holiday Lighting is from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Saturday. The parade route runs from Jackson Street to City Hall, and will include music from area marching bands and decorated floats.

At the end of the parade, officials will hold the holiday lighting of downtown Lowell, City Hall, and Power’s Wannalancit smokestack tree.

Follow Rick Sobey on Twitter and Tout @rsobeyLSun.