Community Lights Up Windsor Beach At Special Lantern Walk

By Janet Cruz

A sea of lanterns illuminated Windsor Beach in remembrance of fellow members who are lost every year at the Buses By the Bridge event Friday night.

The walk first began as a way to greet group members at the bus event with a small group of participants and soon grew into a larger walk. The walk also became part of other bus collector shows around the country as well. As for the Buses By The Bridge in Lake Havasu City, The Walk serves as a remembrance of all who had passed on and were part of the Arizona Bus Club and all clubs around the country.

“I have been coming to this for several years. Our friend Fred was always at this event with his own bus, he would volunteer and cook and grill hotdogs for the group. He was known as ‘Hotdog Fred’ to us as all. He was the most positive and such an adorable person. He was dearly loved,” said walk participant, Kristine Salazar.

Pathways of Coleman lanterns with the initials of ‘HDF’ for ‘Hot Dog Fred’ were also spelled out across the sand.

“I remember doing this as a little kid. It has grown with more people around the country every year at other bus club events,” said Salazar’s son and also participant, Ajay Salazar.`

Participants also say this is an event that helps keep their memory alive but also brings everyone together who enjoy the event for bus club members and to raise funds for charitable causes.

“This is our way to celebrate them,” said Salazar. “This is why we do it.”

The Buses By The Bridge event resumes through Sunday. For more information and to view a schedule of complete events, visit busesbythebridge.com.