INTRODUCTION
Balloon ascent over the Town of Parker.
Photo contributed by Stan Usinowicz
The charm of Parker, Ariz. has a lot to do with its perfect winter weather and the multitude of RV spaces available along the Lower Colorado River. There is no better place to set up stakes and spend the cooler months, escaping the Midwestern and Northwestern cold.
Parker is a one-square mile township, and it is best known for the 17 miles of Colorado River that runs below Parker Dam to Headgate Dam at Moolvalya Lake. Here, the Parker Strip forms a liquid border between Arizona and California and is where most activity occurs—boating, fishing, parasailing, cruising, etc.
Colorado River irrigation water allows agriculture to thrive in Blythe.
Photo contributed by Stan Usinowicz
Blythe, California is a deceptively small city that sits at the crossroads of Interstate 10 and California Highway 95, a stopover between Phoenix and Los Angeles. It is referred to as the “City Outdoors” because the median winter temperatures range between 75-80 degrees. It’s been incorporated since 1916, but has thrived since the mid-1800s when an Englishamn, developer Thomas Blythe, established primary water rights to the river and opened the area to agriculture.
Although Blythe has an incorporated population of 22,000, within a 50-mile radius the population reaches half a million. Its proximity to the Colorado River makes it a popular water recreation entry point, offering 95 miles of navigable water between the Palo Verde Diversion Dam above Blythe and Imperial Dam above Yuma.
ATTRACTIONS
Parker
Many of the activities in the Parker area take place in one of two places—along the 17 miles of Colorado River known as the Parker Strip, or at the BlueWater Resort & Casino, an enterprise of the Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT). The BlueWater is a sprawling 200-plus room resort that has a four-plex theater, an outdoor amphitheater, miniature golf, swimming pools and live gaming. Its concert schedule brings well-known names to the area as well as offering weekly live bands in the Dig Lounge.
By: Mary Reynolds
Old sign marking the Town of Parker.
Photo contributed by Parker Area Chamber of Commerce
One hundred years of glory—that’s a milestone for the Town of Parker. The town has been commemorating its successful 36,500 days of incorporation throughout 2008 with parades, parties and time capsule burials. They can’t get enough of it as they honor the memories of those who have made and kept the town strong and prosperous.
Since 1908, Parker has made good, from horse drawn carriages and gold mines to car dealerships and a casino. It was established as a one square mile town site by congressional order of the General Land Office as a railroad, agricultural and mining hub that served Southwestern Arizona.
For the first time this year, the La Paz County Fair will be at its new site at Parker South—the new development just south of Parker proper (considered the Parker Annex). Spread out on 40 beautiful acres, the 50th annual county fair will have a new permanent exhibit hall, a stage with bleachers, a large livestock area with show arena and enough space for dozens of vendors, carnival rides, extra exhibits and displays (like Kids Town) and more.
Scheduled for March 12-15, the theme will be “Something Old, Something New; Something Red, Something Blue.” There will be the La Paz County Pageant with all its sub-categories (i.e. Junior Miss La Paz, Beautiful Tot, Miss Parker Competition, etc.) and they are hoping to have another Battle of the Bands with as diverse a group as they had last year.
CIBOLA 2009/2010 DUCK HUNTING LOTTERY
By: Dominic Barrett, Wildlife Biologist
Ducks on a pond
Photo contributed by Stan Usinowicz
Parker
Many of the activities in the Parker area take place in one of two places—along the 17 miles of Colorado River known as the Parker Strip, or at the BlueWater Resort & Casino, an enterprise of the Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT). The BlueWater is a sprawling 200-plus room resort that has a four-plex theater, an outdoor amphitheater, miniature golf, swimming pools and live gaming. Its concert schedule brings well-known names to the area as well as offering weekly live bands in the Dig Lounge.