Local organizers hope to breathe life into Tucson during the arid month of August as part of the Tucson Birthday Celebration.
Sporting pins that bear the slogan "I’d rather be in Tucson, especially in August," the group of dedicated volunteers has organized dozens of events throughout the month to celebrate Tucson’s 232nd birthday.
Pima County Supervisor Richard Elias is involved with the planning and said the group foresees thousands of residents participating in and attending the events.
 Soldados participate in a color guard ceremony in the courtyard of the county courthouse for the City of Tucson’s birthday celebration last year. (Michael Carson photo) |
"I think it’s a good chance for people to come out and spend a little money," Elias said. "I think it’s going to be good for business and I think it’s good for community."
Elias said with such divisive issues like immigration reform and the Iraq war, an event like this can bring people together.
"I think for a long time, we have been negligent in dealing with the cultural resources we have in our own community," Elias said. "I think it’s time we start looking at our own resources."
Cele Peterson, a fellow organizer who has been a pillar of the Tucson business community for 77 years, said building the community is one of the goals.
"We want people to enjoy, we want people to celebrate, we want them to be happy to be part of a community," Peterson said. "It’s a highlight of Tucson and it keeps our community a community instead of a metropolis."
There is also the potential for businesses to network.
"Practically every organization is planning on getting involved," Peterson said. "It doesn’t have to do with their income and status, just their heart."
Lynne Urias is organizing one of the month’s largest activities, the Celebrando el Presidio de Tucson Fiesta from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 4 in the presidio area at Washington, Church, Main and Pennington. She said patrons can expect a series of interesting family activities.
"When people come, it’s going to be a historic event and they’re going to be learning history," Urias said. "but they won’t be aware they’re learning history because we want it to be fun."
For a complete listing of events for the month of August, visit www.tucsonsbirthday.org.
Contact Kelly Mahoney at kmahoney@azbiz.com or (520) 295-4227.
Selected events this week (free unless otherwise noted)
Aug. 1
Event: Birthday kickoff
Time: 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Where: Presidio San Augustin de Tucson
What: Presidio soldier will raise the flag, city officials will officially begin the celebration and guests will be invited to take a swing at a piñata
Aug. 2
Event: Nightly Bat Parade
Time: 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Bridges on Campbell Avenue, Broadway and Ina Road
What: Watch Mexican Free Tailed Bats leave their nests for the evening
Aug. 3
What: How the Presidio Vanished
Time: 5:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Where: plaza of the Tucson Museum of Art, 140 N. Main Ave.
What: For a $15 fee, learn how the presidio walls vanished and walk the perimeter of the remains
Aug. 4
What: All Day Presidio Settlement Fiesta
When: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: Downtown within the old Presidio area
What: Activities and workshops for children, food booths, mariachis, story tellers and re-enactors tell the history of Tucson’s past
Aug. 5
What: Make Art History at TMA
When: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Tucson Museum of Art at 140 N. Main Ave.
What: Free admission to the TMA, along with activities and birthday cake.
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