Parker 425-A Home Run!
By all accounts, everything to do with this year's Parker 425 Off Road Race was a success. I had the pleasure of being at the starting line for the "send off" of the 125 vehicles, as they roared off the line, in front of the Chamber Building. "On time and in line" were certainly the passwords for this year's events.

The Tourism Committee had the pleasure of hosting a BBQ for all the volunteers. Held the Friday before the race, it was great to "salute" the real behind the scene workers. Having been involved with so many events in my past, it is truly those folks that make events work so well.

With that said however, the race and Best In The Desert might not have been here were it not for the sponsorship and support of the BlueWater Resort and Casino. What a great job and effort of both the Town and County Public Works Departments! Add to that the great team effort of the La Paz County Sheriffs, Town of Parker PD and CRIT PD and you had a well-oiled machine at work.

From a personal standpoint, (and one that I am sure is echoed by the entire Committee), I cannot recall a promoter that I have enjoyed working with more than Casey Folks. He was a great communicator and actually helped fund a series of projects to help us inform the marketplaces of Southern California and Arizona of the event.

I had visits from La Paz County Sheriff, Hal Collett and Bureau of Land Management Recreation Specialist, Myron McCoy, and both echoed all of our sentiments that this was probably the smoothest race in Parker's Off Road Racing illustrious history.

What a great thing to have those spectator areas of Shea Road and Bouse opened for viewing and camping.

I know I, for one, can not wait to see what comes next in 2004.

SUPER WEEKEND MARCH 7-9
We all know that winter weekends can be busy ones, but I am not so sure we have not hit the jackpot with this one!

Starting it of will be the return of the fastest water skiers in the world!

The IWSRA will be paying Parker a visit for the 19th year as the International Water Ski Races return to the greatest racetrack in the world. The Parker Strip, which was used as a venue for last years world championships will again set the scene as those amazing men and women will race well over 100 miles per hour up and down the river. The course will run from BlueWater Resort and Casino to La Paz County Park. How fast is this course? During the world championships, more than one boat simply blew up as throttles were pinned to the floor for speed closing in on 115 miles an hour! Viewing can be done from anywhere on the river or its banks. This years turn will be towards the South end of La Paz, (more towards Branson's), out of respect for the noise levels disturbing the Blue Grass Festival.

Speaking of which, the PARKER BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL is set to go. La Paz County Park will be the setting for this first year event, which will feature some of the countries best talent, including the US Navy Blue Grass Band. Great vendors, wonderful music and a RV Show from La Mesa RV. What more could you ask for? If it is an evening activity, you seek. Here are a couple of great events.

On Friday night, you can see the famous RICKY VAN SHELTON at BlueWater Resort and Casino, HOWEVER, if real action is more for you, it is a wild and wooly Saturday at Western Park when the BOYS VS. BULLS! Other than that... there is nothing to do!

PARKER "BULL" ON KYMA-IN MARCH!
Parker Main Street's great second year event, The BOYS Vs The BULLS, has garnered up enough media interest to get it a live morning special on Yuma's KYMA TV-11 on THURSDAY, MARCH 6th, between 6-7 a.m. Veronica DeLaCruz, KYMA anchor, has always been great to work with and was totally receptive to the idea of bringing a REAL LIVE SNORTIN' BULL down to the studio! What she was not receptive to was my idea that she show us a sample ride! We hope all of Parker will be watching!

LINE DANCING SURVEY!
The numbers are in from the recently completed Line Dancing Festival at La Paz County Park, January 24-26-2003.
Of the 100% surveyed...
64% came from outside the Parker Community to attend.
48% stayed in our local RV Parks
16% stayed in our local Motels

WEB SITE TOPS ONE MILLION VISITORS!
For the first time in our history, (7 years), we finally reached that million-visitor mark!
Jan 16-31-30, 852
FOR THE TWELVE MONTH PERIOD ENDING January 2003…
Total Unique Visitors 1,010,827
My thanks to all the staff at RIVER INFO for helping us make this happen! Everything you need to know about Parker, (including the news updates), is easily found at www.parkertourism.com

Welcome New Pledge Partners-
Kemper's RV-Boat and Mini Storage.... Half Track Marine....
THEY WILL NOW RECEIVE ALL THE BENEFITS OF THE TOURISM COMMITTEES PROGRAMS *BOAT SHOW REPRESENTATION *TOURIST AREA TRAVEL GUIDE-- WEB SITE LISTING * NEW REFERRALS FROM 1-888-SEE-PARKER *ACCESS TO OUR HOT MAILING LIST OF OVER 3,000 NAMES OF THOSE WHO WANT TO COME TO THE AREA!

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