Good News Tucson - A Family Values Magazine

Tucson Celebrates 233rd Birthday In August;
New Web Site Lists Events, Accepts Listings

by Michael Carson, City of Tucson and Pima County Public Information Office

Tucson's 233rd birthday is officially Wednesday, August 20, 2008. For the third consecutive year, the entire community is invited to celebrate by attending or hosting an event during August that reflects Tucson's birthday spirit.

The Tucson’s Birthday web site at www.tucsonsbirthday.org has complete information on events scheduled throughout August 2008. Visitors to the site may also submit an event of their own. It must be open to the public, but does not have to be free. The event’s program or agenda should also include a “Happy Birthday to Tucson!” The web site offers downloadable birthday graphics for use.

"Tucson's birthday is an opportunity to celebrate our unique history and culture. The achievements of previous generations are many. We stand in their footsteps, and we recognize their leadership and stewardship which has transformed this beautiful land into this great desert city,” said Tucson Mayor Robert Walkup. “I respectfully ask my fellow Tucsonans to join with me on this 233rd birthday in honoring our past while at the same time remembering the duty we share with past generations to make Tucson an even better place for our children and grandchildren.”

"The Pimería Alta has always been a crossroads for different cultural groups. It is appropriate that the wide array of birthday events in this community reflects that diversity and rich cultural history," said Richard Elías, Chairman of the Pima County Board of Supervisors and President of Los Descendientes Del Presidio de Tucson. "In the spirit of community and a shared history, we should recognize that all of us are descendents of the presidio."

Tucson’s month-long birthday celebration was conceived in 2006 by Cele Peterson, who co-chairs the 2008 event with Supervisor Elías. Mrs. Peterson chose August for the celebration because Tucson has a long history of celebrating both the saint’s day of its patron St. Augustine (San Agustín, for whom a cathedral is named) and the anniversary of the founding of the Presidio de Tucson on August 20, 1775. Last year’s celebration featured more than 100 events and exhibits all over town.

Events planned for this year include the Birthday Kick-off on August 1st at 10 a.m. at El Presidio, a Prayer Walk at A Mountain (see pg. 27 of this magazine for more information), a nightly Bat Parade at the bridges on Campbell, Ina and Broadway, and a Celebration Gala in honor of the Old Pueblo’s 233rd birthday at the DoubleTree Hotel at Reid Park.

For up-to-date times and locations, visit www.tucsonsbirthday.org

Happy Birthday, Tucson!