Revival Of Pineapple Races Bring Businesses And Community Together In Lake Havasu Tuesday Night

By Janet Cruz

Lake Havasu City business and hospitality communities came together for the return of the Pineapple Races, bringing friendly competition for a great cause at London Bridge Beach Tuesday night.

The event this year, included an Oktoberfest theme and featured local businesses, hospitality teams and community organizations competing in outrigger canoe races while spectators enjoyed food vendors, a beer garden, music and activities.

The Pineapple Races took place for many years in Lake Havasu City until 2020, and stayed dormant for several years until it’s revival this year.

“When COVID happened, the event had to be cancelled and it was dark for several years after that. This year, the Lake Havasu Chamber Hospitality Industry Alliance began meeting with the Lake Havasu Hospitality Association, the Lake Havasu Outrigger Canoe Club, the Arizona State Parks and Trails, and WAVE JTED partners to see if we could bring it back to benefit our Hospitality Industry, our local business community, and to bring it back as a Legacy Event for our community, ” said Lake Havasu Area Chamber President, Andrea Helart.

The races included exhibition races between the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office and the Firefighters Foundation, as well as the Sea Scouts and lifeguards, before 10 teams competed in the main outrigger races.

Teams included FitLab928, College Street Brewery, London Bridge Resort,The Nautical, NSC Certified Accountants, Havasu Regional Medical Center and Shugrues Restaurant and Brewery Group.

At the end, the Lake Havasu Regional Medical Center team took home first place, followed by College Street Brewery taking second place, and FitLab928 in third place.

Exhibition Races winners included, Sea scouts and The Fire fighter Association.

“This event is something we have heard that local businesses wanted to come back and with the support from some organizations, we were able to do it,” said London Bridge Resort Director of Sales and Havasu Hospitality Association member, Joelle Dickinson.

The Lake Havasu Hospitality Association says it hopes to reestablish the Pineapple Races as a legacy event that brings the local business community together while supporting education and workforce development.

“We hope to keep the momentum going and make it a yearly fun family friendly community event,” Dickinson said.

The proceeds from this event will benefit the Chamber Foundation’s career exploration internship programs, WAVE Culinary Scholarships and the Lake Havasu City Outrigger Canoe Club.