By Becky Maxedon
Excitement is in the air as Lake Havasu leaders, stakeholders, movers and shakers, volunteers and more get ready to throw a party.
And it’s not just any party, it’s the 50th anniversary of the dedication of the London Bridge in Lake Havasu.
“We are excited to showcase our Golden Anniversary, celebrating 50 years of the world-famous London Bridge in Lake Havasu City, this October,” said Mayor Cal Sheehy.
Sheehy said the city is excited for the celebration and will be rolling out many of the iconic and annual events into special Golden Anniversary events.
The London Bridge under construction. photo courtesy Schimmel Family
He added the month of October will culminate in ceremonies under the London Bridge the weekend of Oct 29-30, with guests from the City of London, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, the McCulloch family, and other dignitaries.
The London Bridge Days Parade will be on Oct. 30.
“Our Golden Anniversary will pay tribute to our founding fathers, pioneers, and our citizens today. Lake Havasu City is a special place because of the people that call it home. We will celebrate with ceremonies and events that showcases our history and our citizens and looks forward toward the next 50 years,” Sheehy said.
Toni Trembly Ade, of the official Havasu Pioneers, said the group is planning a large entry in the parade.
“One will be a pioneer float for the first generation to ride – with five categories – those who built the bridge, McCulloch factory workers, the first businesses in town and the first teachers,” Trembly Ade said.
The Schimmel Family participates in one of the first costume contest during London Bridge Days. photo courtesy Schimmel Family
“Along with this will be the class of ’71 celebrating their 50th reunion and Pioneer alumni from Lake Havasu High School,” she said.
She added that there will be a ceremony following the annual Boy Scout Breakfast Oct. 31 to dedicate the memorial bricks dedicated to pioneers of Lake Havasu City.
“I am very excited that there will be a pioneer picnic afterward. We haven’t had an activity under the bridge in a very long time like that,” she said.
Parade organizer Joe Tobin said, “The London Bridge Days Parade Committee is super excited about this year’s parade.
Actor Sebastian Cabot waves at the crowd during a London Bridge Days Parade. photo courtesy Chuck Harley
“The theme will be the funnest one we have ever tried. Also, we are in development of a commemorative limited-run T-shirt that will be available for pre-orders after a press release is issued in early July.”
There are several pre-London Bridge Days events being planned.
Dan Delesantos has encouraged the introduction of many events that happened in the past surrounding the celebration.
Visit his Facebook page at Dan Delasantos for more information or call him at 928-706-4469.
One of the pre-celebration events includes the The London Bridge Beard and Mustache Contest, sponsored by the Havasu Freedom Foundation.
Entry forms are available at http://havasumemorialwalkway.org.
For more event information, please check the event calendars on RiverScene Magazine by clicking HERE and at golakehavasu.com.
More information will be published in RiverScene Magazine as it becomes available.
To learn more about how the London Bridge came to Lake Havasu City, click HERE.
To view photos of inside the London Bridge, click HERE.
A view of the London Bridge from the sidewalk of English Village in January, 2016. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene
Robert McCulloch, Sr. far right. Photo courtesy McCulloch Family.
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