Margate's Lucy the Elephant turns 135 and runs for president

Everyone's favorite pachyderm statue has a big birthday coming up - on Saturday, Margate's Lucy the Elephant will be celebrating her 135th year as a Jersey Shore landmark. Pandering to election-season zeitgeist, the bash will have a political theme: "Lucy for President."

Her platform? Peanuts for all, of course.

From a photo booth designed to resemble a voting machine to an election campaign T-shirt that pits Lucy against Donald and Hillary to a patriotic pedicure - last week, Lucy's toes were painted red, white, and blue - the team that operates the tourist attraction is going all-out.

"I think it's going to be larger just because the buzz that we've experienced so far with regard to the theme, to her presidential campaign, has been so much greater than in years past," said Richard Helfant, CEO of Lucy the Elephant.

On Lucy's Facebook page, users have commented variations of the phrase "she has my vote" on a recent post about the patriotic fete. At the event - which Helfant estimates will draw 2,000 to 3,000 people - party guests will be given a ballot to do just that.

"Everyone's fighting about stupid things right now, and Lucy is a friendly figure, " said Jason Tell, board vice president and special events coordinator. "Let's get some votes for her, bring some light" to the election.

Lucy is 65 feet high, and her interior can be toured by the public. And though she is an elephant, the symbol of the GOP, Lucy has no political agenda outside of her birthday bash.

An annual tradition, Lucy's birthday party is not only a fun outing for Shore-goers, but the largest single-day fund-raiser for the landmark. Visitors, for instance, can purchase $20 raffle fund-raiser tickets for the chance to win a New York getaway, which includes a two-night stay at the Waldorf Astoria, four premium tickets to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, and a $500 gift card for spending money.

Profits from the limited-edition T-shirts, designed by director of education/COO Jeremy Bingaman and priced at $20, also benefit Lucy's upkeep. Traditionally, the tees have been sold exclusively on the day of the party, but due to the popularity of this year's theme, they might be sold online until Election Day.

"Lucy being 135 years old this year, we wanted to make it a historic theme," Bingaman said. "I wanted to do a throwback." For inspiration, he consulted imagery from John F. Kennedy's campaign, as well as the Obama "Hope" poster.

Lucy's parties have a tendency to honor the past. Last year's theme, "Lucy's Birthday on the Boardwalk," paid homage to the boardwalk that existed in Margate until 1944. The 2013 theme, "Everyone Loves Lucy," tied into the I Love Lucy Live on Stage show at Harrah's.

In addition to the political gimmicks, more traditional amusements - such as carnival games, a moon bounce, and a mini-golf course - are on the agenda.

And, since no party would be complete without it, there will be birthday cake (the singing and cake-cutting will take place at 3 p.m.).

Local author Evelyn Johnson - a/k/a "Aunt Evelyn" - will also appear for a book signing. Johnson, 65, of Cape May Court House, is a former Lucy tour guide and has written several children's books about the landmark, such as Lucy the Elephant and Sami the Mouse: A Bedtime Story.

"I started the books because on the tour I saw a lot of little kids who were afraid to go in Lucy," said Johnson, who took the job in 2001 after seeing a newspaper ad for the position. "There's nothing to fear in Lucy, Lucy's nice."

Celebrate Lucy the Elephant's birthday on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Margate (9200 Atlantic Ave.). To participate in outdoor activities and purchase food (such as Jersey corn and Philly pretzels), guests must use carnival tickets, sold for $1 each ($10 for 11 tickets; $20 for 25). Free parking (at the Margate Municipal Building, 9001 Winchester Ave.) and shuttle service. For more information, see lucytheelephant.org or call 609-823-6473.

856-779-3813       zmiller@philly.com.