Fifty years ago, Robert P. McCulloch purchased the London Bridge from the City of London Corporation, and 10 years later Lake Havasu City was incorporated. Please join us as we celebrate these two milestone anniversaries together as a community on Saturday, October 20, from 10:00am to 11:30am under the London Bridge.

The celebration kicks-off with the introduction of the 690^th Right Honourable Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman Charles Bowman, a proclamation by Arizona Governor Douglas A. Ducey, and closes with a traditional sheep crossing over the London Bridge with sheep from the La Paz County/Colorado River Indian Tribe 4H Youth Program.

Sheep crossing is a tradition that dates back to more than 800 years of history in the City of London. The London Bridge was, in medieval times, the only crossing of the River Thames and the sole route into the City for trading. In May of this year, Mayor Mark Nexsen and long-time Havasu resident John Parrott traveled to the City of London to accept the Freedom of City designation and are both now considered “Freemen.” It is the highest honor which is in the power of the City of London Corporation to bestow on someone and usually takes place in Guildhall in the presence of the Common Council and with Lord Mayor, Sheriffs and Aldermen present, along with invited guests. Historically, only freemen were allowed to enter the city on the London Bridge with tools of their trade, including sheep and livestock, without paying a toll. Today, those designated as freemen are able to exercise one of the major privileges of their position and herd sheep over the London Bridge. 

Cake, coffee, and refreshments are served at 10:00am during the celebration. The London Bridge is temporarily closed at 11:00am for the sheep crossing event and opens again at 11:30am. There are no tables and chairs at the event, so please bring your own chair, if needed.

For more information, please contact the Mayor’s office at 928-453-4152.