A Landmark Birthday for Lucy the Elephant

For most it’s the faint smell of sea salt off the causeway, or pastel 50s cruisers along the road, that let people know they’re at the shore. Residents in Margate know the shore by something else: a 6-story tall tin elephant named Lucy, who will celebrate her 133rd birthday on Saturday, July 19th from 10:00am – 8:00pm.

Photo Courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons: Jim McIntosh.
Photo Courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons: Jim McIntosh.

Originally constructed by James V. Lafferty in 1881, Lucy throws a themed birthday party each year to celebrate her architecture and history. Last year saw a Lucille Ball “I Love Lucy” impersonator, and the year before that was simply, “Go Nuts!” This year’s Carnival theme, however, has a deeper meaning than a simple pun.

Jeremy Bingaman, Director of Education at Lucy the Elephant, explains how this year the fête is tied to another landmark birthday—New Jersey’s 350th. The organization often grabs theme ideas from Facebook fans or visitors to the site, but made an effort this year to share the birthday joy with our great state. “New Jersey is full of unique things,” Bingaman says, “and carnival, or the Midway, is one of the first thing that came up.”

This year’s party will include all funfair fare, like cotton candy, roasted corn on the cob, hot dogs and popcorn. Other activities will include a birthday cake-shaped moon bounce, and local Atlantic City stilt-walking artist, Mackie.

Climb up Lucy’s leg to the lookout point on her back, which offers views of Margate City, Atlantic City, and Jersey’s beautiful coast. The view alone is reason to celebrate.

For more information call (609)-823-6473 or visit online. Free parking and shuttle service.

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