LUCY THE ELEPHANT/Deana Martin visits Lucy the Elephant.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
MARGATE - The Save Lucy Committee announced today that after a very long 15-month, $2.4 million exterior restoration project, Lucy the Elephant will be unveiled at a special ceremony 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28.
The restoration project, originally projected to take eight months at a cost of $1.3 million, has faced numerous setbacks, including uncovering more damaged wood than originally estimated, supply chain issues, and a harsh winter last year.
It's been an extremely difficult project for us and has drastically affected our traffic at Lucy over the past year and a half, Executive Director Richard Helfant said. We are looking forward to having our beloved Lucy back at 100% and can't wait for everyone to see how spectacular she looks.
On Monday, Nov. 21, the Margate City Fire Department took its ladder truck to an adjacent property to spray Lucy with water to determine the success of the restoration project. The shower revealed a few leaks around the windows and glass floor in the howdah, which were repaired, and the remaining scaffolding removed to reveal Lucy's shiny new surface.
The project was partially funded with two grants: a $700,000 grant from the NJ State Historic Trust, and a $500,000 grant from the national Save America's Treasures program. The rest is being funded with contributions in any amount from the public.
The Save Lucy Committee held a fundraising concert Sunday at Resorts' Superstar Theater with Deana Martin singing songs from her dad, Dean Martin's Rat Pack days. Martin later visited Lucy the Elephant to pay homage to the 141-year-old National Historic Landmark, which was saved from the wrecking ball and restored in the 1970s.
The committee is also conducting the ongoing Lucy's Life Preserver fundraiser, in which anyone who contributes $1,000 or more will get their name engraved on a bronze plaque that will be installed inside the elephant, a gold pin commemorating the restoration project and a lifetime membership to the Friends of Lucy.
Lucy was saved from the wrecking ball with 5- and 10-cent donations, so every penny helps, Helfant said.
During the grand public ceremony, Dan Walsh of Margate will sing his very own, Lucy the Elephant song, after which Lucy will be unveiled in a spectacular shower of light.
The public is invited to the historic event.
Lucy is open every day from now through the end of the year. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. Lucy will close at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 28 to prepare for the grand reopening. Lucy will be closed on Christmas Day.
Learn more at LucyTheElephant.org.
