LAKE HAVASU CITY – Lake Havasu City in January is a city in contrasts. For action and adventure, the speedway reopens for another thrilling season, the rodeo ropes in family fun, a balloon festival fills the sky with brilliant floating colors, and vintage Volkswagen buses gather for a giant campout.
But there’s a more reflective and contemplative side, too. The city recently discovered additional easily-accessible enhanced meditation sites, otherwise known as vortexes. These sites are areas with energy flow patterns that can boost a person’s meditation experiences and mindful awareness. While this might seem mystical, Pete A. Sanders, Jr., a Sedona vortex expert and scientist trained at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, says it’s actually based on the latest physics.
“People go on vacation looking for relief, often by participating in the kind of adrenaline activities that Lake Havasu offers,” says Sanders. He came to the city at the invitation of Go Lake Havasu in late November to identify energy centers for facilitating stress relief and mind-body healing, and to explain the science behind them.
Sanders says visitors can access enhanced meditation sites without traveling outside the city, or they can take a boat ride and enjoy Sedona-like inspiration with the added benefit of renewal by water.
Adds Terence Concannon, president/CEO of GoLakeHavasu, “Lake Havasu City is much more than just a spring break and high-octane sports destination. Wellness travelers to the area find the natural beauty and calming waters an irresistible draw not found at other wellness destinations in the Southwest.
“The newly-discovered enhanced meditation sites will offer relaxation for better recreation and an improved quality of life,” Concannon says.
January events and only-in-Lake-Havasu unique experiences include:
Havasu 95 Speedway 2019-2020 race season
No quiet contemplation here. Havasu 95 Speedway is an American Speed Association sanctioned paved oval track that runs stock car races in classes including late models, modifieds, trucks, street stocks, legends, Bandoleros, and factory stocks. It is one of three paved ovals in the state of Arizona and the only one in western Arizona. The season continues at SARA Park (7200 Dub Campbell Pkwy.) through April 2020. Admission: $12 general admission; $10 seniors; $6 kids ages 6-16; kids 5 and under are free. www.golakehavasu.com/havasu-95-speedway-race-season
10th Annual Havasu Balloon Festival & Fair, Jan. 9 – 12
Headquartered at Lake Havasu State Park, Windsor 4 (171 London Bridge Rd.), this is one of North America’s largest balloon festivals. The balloons soar over Lake Havasu City, the Bridgewater Channel and the London Bridge, so get your cameras ready. Feel the heat of the burners as the balloon teams rise into the sky on the island or around town. Balloon teams will be available throughout the weekend to talk about the art and history of hot air ballooning.
Balloon Fest events include a mass ascension, nighttime balloon glow, dog shows, carnival rides, merchandise and food vendors, and kids’ events. Admission Price: Fun Zone $70 4-day pass; $30 day pass. Children 10 and under are free. www.golakehavasu.com/havasu-balloon-festival-fair
24th Annual Buses By The Bridge, Jan. 17-20
Who doesn’t love the quirkiness of an old VW bus? What started as a split-window campout has turned into a Volkswagen extravaganza with VW buses coming from all over the country for a giant campout at Lake Havasu State Park. Check out VW buses of all vintages and types - everything from rust buckets to the highly customized. The event includes kids’ activities, hot air balloon rides, a pancake breakfast, and a chili cook-off. Wear your tie-dye. Admission: $5 per person for walk-in spectators, good all weekend. www.golakehavasu.com/buses-by-the-bridge
Grand Canyon Pro Rodeo Association & Little Delbert Days, Jan. 25-26
Whether you’re serious about rodeo or just want to horse around, this two-day, fun-filled, family-friendly event has something for everyone. Local mutton busters and calf riders test their skills, along with hundreds of Grand Canyon Pro Rodeo Association cowboys and cowgirls from around the southwest. Location: SARA Park Rodeo Grounds, 7200 Dub Campbell Pkwy. Admission: $15 adults; kids 15 and under free. www.golakehavasu.com/grand-canyon-pro-rodeo-association-little-delbert-days
Cozy Lakeside Cabins
Yet another way to chillax in Lake Havasu City is to veg out in new cozy lakeside cabins at Lake Havasu State Park. The new camping cabins are located with the best views in the park, right on the shore of the Colorado River. Each cabin has space to sleep up to six people. Amenities include a fire ring, picnic table, ramada, fire pit, and adjacent white sand beach. Although these are dry cabins, brand-new restroom facilities are located just steps away.
