Lucy the Elephant’s Birthday Party Features a Big Announcement

It's not every day that an elephant turns 143 years old, so a big celebration is in order for Margate's recent winner of the USA's favorite roadside attraction, Lucy the Elephant!

The pachyderm party is set for Saturday, July 20 from 10 am-8 pm.

This year's celebration comes with the big news that Lucy is running for president, with the official announcement to be made during Saturday's party!

Make no mistake, this year's party will be no small-time affair, either.

“At nearly 143 years old, Lucy has never looked better or been more popular,” said Rich Helfant, the executive director and CEO of the Save Lucy Committee.

“Having just been voted the No. 1 Best Roadside Attraction in America by USA Today readers, we’re more excited than ever to celebrate her birthday this year.” 

 

What's Planned for Lucy the Elephant's Birthday Party

The family-friendly festivities include a 22-foot water slide, a 9-hole mini-golf, Skee-Ball, a bouncy house, snow cones, popcorn, and more.

Party-goers will also have the chance to catch as many Lucy Bucks as they can in the Money Booth — and possibly even win one of the special prizes included on every turn!

Tours will be conducted inside Lucy every 45 minutes, with birthday cake served at 3 pm.

You can purchase one of the “Lucy for President” collectible Birthday t-shirts and make-your-own campaign button pin.

A Little History About Margate's Big Attraction

Lucy was born in 1881 and she is a national historic landmark and the oldest roadside attraction in America. Lucy is also the oldest example of Zoomorphic Architecture in the entire world.

July 20 is celebrated as Lucy’s birthday because, on that date in 1970, she was saved from the wrecking ball and moved from her original Cedar Grove Avenue site to her new home on Decatur Avenue.

The one-room train station from which visitors disembarked to tour her in the 1880s also moved to Decatur Avenue and became the attraction’s gift shop. 

Over the decades, the Save Lucy Committee has fundraised and undertaken numerous restoration and maintenance projects on the elephant’s interior and exterior, including a 15-month long, $2.1 million overhaul completed in 2022 that resurfaced and replaced her metal skin with nickel-copper alloy that is more resistant to corrosion in marine environments.  

For more information about Lucy the Elephant, call 609-823-6473