Havasu to host first freedom rally

A new community-picnic type event honoring local war veterans will begin Thursday following the Wounded Warriors Ride and Freedom Bridge Foundation’s brick-laying ceremony under London Bridge.

The inaugural Havasu Freedom Rally will last through Saturday and provide a variety of activities for all ages including vehicle show & shines, beer gardens, live entertainment, a tattoo contest and continuous frozen T-shirt contests.

“The last time the Wounded Warriors were here, they said that Lake Havasu is the most patriotic city in the country. It inspired me to put together a veterans group in the area,” said Eileen Nexsen, co-chairwoman of the Havasu Freedom Rally event committee.

The theme for the new event is geared toward Vietnam veterans this time around, said to Donna Brister event committee co-chair.

“It is a way to give back to local veterans,” Brister said. Both Nexsen and Brister have been instrumental in organizing the first-time event with the help of a dozen local volunteer committee members and a great response from a number of sponsors.

About 40-50 vendors, including food vendors, are currently on the books to participate, Brister said.

“We have contacts all over the country coming to participate, volunteer and be part of the event,” Brister said.

The rally is family-oriented with activities including Hula-Hoop, jump rope and beanbag toss games. Children will have a chance to win prizes in the form of popular ’50s and ’60s time-period candies such as pixie sticks to coincide with the Vietnam veterans theme, Nexsen said.

Activities will be happening continuously with only a few scheduled at specific times.

The motorcycle and car show & shines entries will be judged all three days and vehicles can come and go at will. Show & shine registration fee is $2.50 per tire, organizers said.

The car categories are Mayor’s Choice, People’s Choice and Most Original. The bike categories are Mayor’s Choice, People’s Choice and Most Patriotic.

Cash awards in the amount of $150 for each category will be given at an awards ceremony Saturday evening during the final live entertainment session. All vehicles registered during the three-day event will be included.

The tattoo contest scheduled 3 p.m. Friday will earn the winner a trophy.

Motorcycle Rodeo registration fees are $1 per event or six events for $5.

The Frozen T-shirt Contest involves a folded, frozen t-shirt available at the three-day event.

“The person who can take the frozen t-shirt, thaw it out and put it on in the fastest time, wins,” Nexsen said.

The goal of the freedom rally is to honor veterans who have given so much and to welcome home to Havasu veterans that have been away.

On the side, the rally will raise extra money to be distributed by request at the discretion of the event committee, Nexsen said.

With the many federal and state cuts, the committee’s goal is to accommodate veterans in need. “We don’t think veterans should go without,” Nexsen said.

The event organizers will focus on local veteran-based groups to determine need but individuals with a special need will not be overlooked. “We will consider anything legitimate,” she said.

For more information, visit www.havasufreedomrally.com on the Web. Sponsors or vendors call 928-208-1091 or 928-855-6418.

You may contact the reporter at jhanson@havasunews.com.

VETERANS WEEK EVENTS

WEDNESDAY

Wednesday — 10 a.m.

Veterans Day Parade

Upper McCulloch Boulevard

Free Admission

Vetrans Day Ceremony to follow in Wheeler Park

THURSDAY SOLDIER RIDE

9 a.m. Wounded Warrior Project Soldier Ride to the London Bridge.

9:05 a.m. Soldier Ride brick laying ceremony under the London Bridge.

10 a.m. Soldiers ride to Shops at Lake Havasu.

1 p.m. Soldier Ride lunch sponsored by Adam Boleratzky family and catered by Schlotzsky’s Deli.

2 p.m. Soldier riders depart for Phoenix.

THURSDAY

Freedom Rally event schedule

Windsor 4, Lake Havasu State Park

Free admission

Noon to 5 p.m.

Motorcycle Rodeo

Frozen T-shirt Contest

Motorcycle & Classic Car Show & Shine

National Anthem, Zoe Killian

5-7 p.m. Live entertainment, Chuck E. Bump

FRIDAY

Noon to 5 p.m.

Marine Corps League Color Guard, Pledge

Special Speakers

Live entertainment

Frozen T-shirt Contest

Welcome Home Party for Vietnam Vets

Motorcycle & Classic Car Show & Shine

National Anthem, Zoe Killian

3p.m. Tattoo Contest

5 – 7 p.m.

Live Entertainment, Combo Nation Jazz Combo

7 p.m. Fireworks

SATURDAY

Noon to 4 p.m.

Pledge

Live entertainment

Frozen T-shirt Contest

Motorcycle & Classic Car Show & Shine

Poker Run, $5/hand

Park Events

National Anthem, Zoe Killian

4-6 p.m.

Moonlight, Live entertainment

Awards Ceremony