INTRODUCTION
A rare moment for the London Bridge in Lake Havasu City – fog.
Photo contributed by Stan Usinowicz
Lake Havasu City has earned a place on the map as being a perfect winter haven for visitors and the best summer boating spot for vacationers. As a result, the population soars beginning November through March when the influx of snowbirds arrive to enjoy median temperatures of 75 to 80 degrees. The city was incorporated since 1978, and it was founded in 1963 when inventor and entrepreneur Robert P. McCulloch Sr., established a test site for small engines and eventually several manufacturing plants that served as the city’s largest employer.
Lake Havasu is a 45-mile-long freshwater lake fed by the Colorado River. It was created in 1938 following the completion of Parker Dam at its south end. The purpose was to provide water for agriculture downstream and for drinking to Southern California via the Metropolitan Water District’s aqueduct system and later to Phoenix and Tucson the Central Arizona Project. Lake Havasu City is the only incorporated town on its banks and enjoys the unintended byproduct of the lake’s creation—a multi-million dollar tourist industry.
ATTRACTIONS
What better way to launch a New Year than a New Year’s Eve party, and Lake Havasu City is planning its first-ever along Main Street, closing off the block from Acoma Boulevard to Smoketree Avenue – and adult beverages will be available on the street!
There will be music and entertainment, fireworks and food, and lots more, beginning at 9 p.m.
By: Mary Reynolds
Residents and visitors enjoy the Sunday Swap Meet.
Photo contributed by Mary Reynolds
The Lake Havasu City Sunday Swap Meet is only one of the many events to keep the winter visitor population busy this season, but it is a good one since the London Bridge Plaza Association is keeping the stalls full of vendors and artists. Since Labor Day weekend, vendors have been offering super deals every Sunday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and they will be going full bore until the last Sunday in May.
Located on the corner of Marlboro Drive and London Bridge Road, some merchandisers are traveling from as far away as Montana “on the winter circuit” displaying their jewelry, antiques, crafts, concessions and more. There are a bunch of newcomers this year presenting unique products ranging from multi-level copper fountains to imported Shan Mu baskets from Northern Mongolia. Admission and parking are free and the weather is usually perfect for a full day of shopping.
If racing is your niche, Havasu 95 Speedway is in full swing as it features its six regular classes of races with the Modifieds, Late Models, ASA Street stocks, Factory stocks, Bandoleros and Legends. They are also continuing the Lucas Oil traveling series for points and big purses. All this racing excitement happens every other Saturday night at the quarter mile oval track at SARA Park where drivers as far away as North Carolina have come to compete.