The downtown street scene will come alive this weekend as the annual Winterfest takes place on Upper McCulloch Boulevard. This is a welcome return to one of Lake Havasu City's signature events.
The annual festival celebrates the glory of the desert winter and highlights hundreds of stalls, twice as many booths, and a cheerful atmosphere paced by music, demonstrations, and food.
The Lake Havasu Area Chamber of Commerce, which hosts the event each year, expects tens of thousands of people to stop by. It is a major event that is just a small part of the desert winter landscape.
Winterfest is meant to celebrate this time of the year when a city's population increases and thousands of tourists visit for a day, a week, or a month or more. It's the cooler time of the year, so all kinds of activities are encouraged.
These visitors make the community more interesting through their presence and voice. They add dimension and depth to culture. And they certainly make a huge contribution to the economy. The latter point is why so many vendors return to the Winterfest event year after year.
It is natural that tourists come in the winter, but without them the city would literally be poorer. Facilities such as parks and recreational areas will be reduced. There will be fewer health care providers and hospitals will become smaller. There wouldn't be so many restaurants if the city's population hadn't increased beyond its summer lows.
They also get a bad rap from visitors because they increase traffic and wait times for restaurant tables or medical appointments. However, even in the dead of winter, the traffic and congestion are nothing compared to the hustle and bustle of nearby metropolises. Winterfest is a celebration of the season, but also of the visitors who enrich life in Lake Havasu City.
Many people will be surprised. The number of booths is surprising. And those who live all year round will clearly understand that it is not summer. We welcome many visitors.
