Lucy the Elephant is getting some work done.
MARGATE – Lucy the Elephant has cancelled her 141st birthday party scheduled for July 20.
She’s not ready to celebrate just yet, America’s favorite pachyderm said in a statement.
Lucy’s annual birthday celebration has been cancelled due to the on-going exterior restoration of the National Historic Landmark and America’s Oldest Roadside Attraction.
“This was a difficult decision,” Save Lucy Committee Executive Director Richard Helfant said.
The world famous monument is in the final stages of a $2.1 million exterior restoration and is still under wraps at her home in Josephine Harron Park at 1 Lucy Way, although she is still welcoming visitors to the interior of the building.
Lucy the Elephant under wraps.
“This mammoth undertaking was estimated to be completed by Memorial Day, but due to supply chain issues and weather, the project won’t be finished until late August,” Helfant said.
But fear not, the Save Lucy Committee is planning a grand unveiling ceremony around Labor Day, he said.
Althought he party was cancelled, the gift shop is still open and will be selling Lucy’s 141st birthday commemorative T-shirts, sure to be a collector’s item. T-shirts are $20 and support ongoing efforts to maintain the integrity of the beachfront icon.
The committee will also be giving away a complimentary a Lucy coloring booklet and crayons to Lucy’s younger friends up to age 12 who stop by to wish her a Happy Birthday. Lucy will also be giving all of her friends who stop by a birthday cupcake while supplies last.
Lucy is open every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with extended evening hours until 8 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Tours through Lucy’s interior are offered every 45 minutes with the first tour beginning at 10:15 a.m.
Historic photo shows Lucy the Elephant on the move to her current location on Decatur Avenue.
