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TUCSON - Help celebrate Tucson's 235th birthday! It's the Big Kahuna! A Tropical Bash for Tucson's 235th Birthday, tomorrow, Saturday, Aug. 21, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. downtown, 4th Avenue and Main Gate Square.

Tucson is celebrating its 235th birthday! And there's no better way to mark this milestone than by embracing our legendary "All Sand, No Water" existence with a lively tropical bash.

Sure, we have beach envy. But, Tucsonans know how to party among the palm trees and warm breezes without regret. The Big Kahuna is a family-friendly evening of festivity in Downtown's historic Entertainment District. Toss on your favorite flowered fashions and join the fun.

The tropical bash features an abundance of activities for all ages as well as prizes, giveaways and merchant discounts. The Downtown Tucson Partnership, Fourth Avenue Merchants Association, Main Gate Square and Entertainment District businesses are collaborating for the event to showcase the diversity of performing arts venues, restaurants, shops and other establishments that make up the district. Many events are free; some have admission.

Eat/Drink/Shop: Merchants will be offering "235" specials in honor of Tucson's birthday. Look for the "235" signs for items that are $2.35 or $23.50 or discounted 23.50 percent.

Play: Think Tucson can't throw a great beach party? You may be surprised to find an enormous sandcastle birthday cake, Gilligan lookalike contest, Tiki party, hot coconut toss, hula hoop revue, chalk art, dunking booths, giant water slide and live island music among the many offerings. Tucson Hawaiian music legend Ernie Menehune will play a special Downtown show.

Ride: For those who must leave their surfboards at home, the Old Pueblo Trolley will be free!
Ride free during The Big Kahuna, courtesy of The Hut.

Downtown
(Live music marked with asterisk*)
5-9 pm: Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress St./Maynards, 400 E. Toole Ave.
6 pm at Maynards: Giant Sandcastle Birthday Cake cutting (real cake, no sand)
22-foot Water Slide
*Island Music
Tropical Party Boat with Margaritas (21 and older)
5-9 pm: RiverPark Inn, 350 S. Freeway
Gilligan Lookalike Contest (sign-up starts at 8 pm, with contest to follow)
Water Safety Demonstration with Tucson Fire Department
Fitness activities with Gold's Gym trainers
5-8 pm: Tucson Children's Museum, 200 S. Sixth Ave. (Admission: $2.35)
*7-8 pm: Caribbean music performance by Richard Noel of Sticks & Fingers
Make Your Own Paper Flower Leis
Aloha Sack Races
Hula Hoop Games
Hot Coconut Toss
Make Your Own Hula Girl Paper Doll
Activities presented by Pima County Public Library at TCM
Make Sand Sculptures
Bubble Magic
Birthday Hats
Beach Books
5-9 pm: The Drawing Studio, 33 S. Sixth Ave. Beach-themed art activity
7:30 pm: Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress St.
"Road to Rio," starring Bing Crosby and Bob Hope ($2.35 admission charge)
7-8 pm: Scottish Rite Cathedral, 160 S. Scott Ave.
*Ernie Menehune Hawaiian show with Polynesian dancers (Admission: $2.35 donation requested)

Also: Downtown Merchants Raffle with loads of prizes (free to enter - pick up entry forms at The Big Kahuna), including free tickets, gift certificates and more. Plus, dunk tank at Chicanos por la Causa/City High School.

4th Avenue
*Live music at Chocolate Iguana, 500 N. Fourth Ave.
*Live music at Magpies Gourmet Pizza, 605 N. Fourth Ave.
*Live music at Spencer Park, NW corner of 4th Avenue Underpass
*Live entertainment at Winsett Stage, 316 N. 4th Ave., featuring Leila Lopez and Orbital Evolution (Tucson's Hula Hoop Troupe) at 8:30 pm
*Tiki Party at The Hut, 305 N. Fourth Ave.: Celebrate the one-year anniversary of the giant Tiki head's arrival!
This luau features roast pig, outdoor music and more.
5-11 pm: Art opening for Mary Theresa Dietz at Delectables Restaurant
Also: Dunk Tank, Winsett Stage. Dunk city leaders and others! Ticket sales benefit Ben's Bells. Wheel of 4ortune prize wheel, Winsett stage.

Main Gate Square
Activities at numerous locations in Main Gate Square
Big Kahuna Look-A-Like Contest at Malibu Yogurt (Time to be announced)
5 pm: A Big Kahuna 235th Birthday Cake
*6-8 pm: Live Music by Retro Rockets
5-8 pm: Face Painting & Balloon Artist
5-9 pm: Tropical Jumping Castle
5-9 pm: Pitaya Sidewalk Sale, 943 E. University Blvd.
5-9 pm: Giant Sand Box
5-9 pm: Public Participation Mural
5-9 pm: Chalk Art
5-9 pm: Ben's Bells Open Studio, 816 E. University Blvd.
5-9 pm: Prize Wheel & Balloon Pop at Tan D Sol, 943 E. University Blvd.
5-9 pm: Hula Photo Backdrop
5-9 pm: Pong Game to win $5 coupons at Campus Athletic
5-9 pm: Water Games at Johnny Rockets, 825 E. University Blvd.
5-9 pm: Pong Game to win $5 coupons at Campus Athletic
*7-9 pm: Live Music by de Vie
Also: *Live music at Caffe Luce, *live music at Frog & Firkin, Beach Fashions Locally Designed by Valenzmoda, Urban Outfitters Tent Sale, DJ at Swindlers Boutique, shuffleboard at Auld Dubliner, scratch tickets for prizes and raffle for $235 gift card at The Reserve & NorthPointe Student Apartments.

List of Merchant "235" Specials at DowntownTucson.com!
Look for the "235 Specials" signs at participating merchants throughout the Entertainment District.

Check for schedule and merchant specials updates at DowntownTucson.com