Boondocks Lounge Celebrates Tucson Birthday

Photos by Jon Scanlon

If you consume alcoholic beverages, The Hugo is the preferred beverage with which to toast Tucson's Birthday. It is the invention of Dylan Smith, editor of Tucsonsentinel.org, and former editor of the Tucson Citizen. Named for Hugo O'Conor, the Irish mercenary who established the Presidio Real de San Agustin del Tucson on behalf of the Spanish king on August 20, 1775, the Hugo is distinctive, tough and handsome. It is one half Guinness and one half Dos Equis. You got a problem with that? So far, bartenders have done it best at Boondocks and The Shanty, but we are sure Tucson's abundantly talented barkeeps are nearly all up to the challenge. Just ask.

More Buffet Bicycle Bonanza

New Belgium Brewery teamed up with The Buffet, Tucson's oldest bar, to celebrate Tucson's Birthday with a bike ride for AIDS awareness.

The Buffet Bicycle Bonanza

Photos by Jon Scanlon

The Buffet Bicycle Bonanza, celebrating Tucson's Birthday, raised funds for Project Power, an HIV/AIDS prevention/awareness program. Project Power is part of the non-for profit organization Positively Beautiful.







Tucson Lightning Women's Rugby Club, dressed in their "birthday suits?"

Ambassador Jeff and friend

The Big Kahuna Birthday Bash

Photos and blog post by Dee Leventman

Maynards Market Executive Pastry Chef Sarah Martin's Sand Castle Birthday Cake Creation





The Big Kahuna himself, Kurt Tallis from 4th Ave. Merchants Assoc. getting ready for The Dunk



Councilman Steve Kozachik is going down!

And Tucson Department of Transportation Director Jim Glock goes down as well

But... payback is ..well... you know!!

Chris Leighton, ParkWise Director just can't catch a break! Oh yeah, he went down... hard!!



The Hut tiki head

The trolley was even all decked out for the beach theme birthday bash.

Wheel of 4tune!! Spin & win

Alex Miranda of "The Morning Blend" with Jeanette, director of Bens Bells Kindness Project


The Menehune Polynesian Show at The Scottish Right Temple

And the party continues on 4th Avenue during the monsoon downpour

Hula Hoop performers

Ambassador Jeff--- he's everywhere!!

Cleaning the flooded stage after the tropical storm!! How fitting. Who said "all sand, no water?"


Dancing with light

The mojito boat at Hotel Congress has seen better days

The Big Kahuna Tropical Bash

Photos by Jon Scanlon

We caught the Big Wave at the BIG KAHUNA and a monsoon storm. Downtown Tucson, University Square and Fourth Avenue had a joint beach party that created lots of excitement. Sandcastle cake a margarita boat, a Water slide, a Bicycle race, Street vendors, Performers all to Celebrate our "all sand, no water" existence at this family-friendly tropical bash for Tucson's 235th birthday.

The Downtown Tucson Partnership, Fourth Avenue Merchants Association, Main Gate Square and Entertainment District businesses collaborated for the event to showcase the diversity of performing arts venues, restaurants, shops and other establishments that make up the district. Many events were free.

Ambasador Jeff

Chefs creation

Above, Ambassador Dave

Below: Club Congress Bar Tender and terror of the roller rink, Barb Trujillo, with Nicole Schwartz and friend. We bet Barb can put together a wicked Hugo.

Below, entertainment at the UA Main Gate