Tucson’s Birthday photographer Jon Scalon shot lots and lots of photos during this birthday month of August. I even found myself in a few of them.

photographer Jon Scanlon in his aloha shirt at the Big Kahuna Tropical Bash, taken by Albrecht Classen

The community birthday events were quite diverse: from the kick off at Mission Gardens at the foot of “A” Mountain, to various Pima County library celebrations, to San Xavier Mission (where I ate birthday cake), to De Grazia Gallery of the Sun (more birthday cake), to the Big Kahuna Tropical Bash downtown (even more birthday cake).

What a terrific way to connect with fellow Tucsonans. And what a lot of birthday cake, even at La Fiesta de San Agustin this past Saturday night.

Here’s the online link (click here) to the Tucson Birthday website to view his photos via Flickr from Yahoo. You can also comment below them, identifying yourself and others. There are 30 sets of photos, each labeled with the event heading.

Otherwise, go online to www.tucsonsbirthday.org, link is “Follow/friend us” on the top right, then click on “Flickr” and you’re there!

Go to the website for the final listing of birthday celebrations today August 31. And attend tonight’s finale, Noche de Luz Flashlight Parade:

Time: 6:45 pm
Admission: Free
Contact Name: Linda Ray
Email: tucsonsbirthday@gmail.com
Location: Start on Mission Rd. (see directions below)
Phone: 520-327-7544

“Volunteers, event organizers and friends will gather to close out the Birthday month with the Noche de Luz flashlight parade honoring all our ancestors. A $20 prize will be awarded for the flashlight decorated to best represent an individual’s personal heritage.

The official route will be approximately one mile, round trip.The parade begins on Mission Road at the foot of “A” Mountain’s eastern face, south of the Mission Garden and north of 22nd Street. We will proceed along the Santa Cruz River trail, and the DeAnza Trail, between 22nd Street and Mission Lane. Energetic paraders can extend the route another mile.

Please bring water!
Please rsvp to tucsonsbirthday@gmail.com.

Thanks to Pima County for co-sponsoring this event!”

Happy Birthday Tucson, till next August, 2011.

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Any excuse for a beach party in the desert is fine with me (a former body surfer coming from tropical Hawaii). So here it is:

The Big Kahuna Tropical Bash on Aug 21, 2010 (TODAY)
Time: 5-9 pm
Admission: FREE
Location: Tucson’s historic Entertainment District
Address: Downtown, Fourth Avenue and Main Gate Square
Contact Name: Cara Rene
Email: cararene@downtowntucson.org
Phone: 520-837-6504
websites: www.downtowntucson.com, www.Fourthavenue.org

Celebrate Tucson’s “all sand, no water” existence at this family-friendly tropical bash for Tucson’s 235th birthday. Tucson does have a lot of beach sand!

event flyer

“Enjoy music, look alike contests, dunking booths, kids activities, giveaways, water safety instruction, free Old Pueblo Trolley rides, and much more.”

“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 at 160 S. Scott Avenue. Definitely a lot of fun as former Kauai native “Uncle” Ernie will be performing at the Scottish Rite Temple (7 to 8 p.m. ). I know “Uncle” having been a member of the Tucson Polynesian Society (of which he is President), and he’s a great guy and colorful performer.

Merchants will be offering “235″ specials, presenting items/gifts/food for $2.35, $23.50, etc. in honor of Tucson’s birthday celebration. What a fun challenge to seek out those specials! “Uncle” Ernie’s Polynesian show listed above will be asking for only a donation of $2.35.

P.S. What is a kahuna? A Hawaiian priest. That term was made famous in those “Gidget” and “Beach Blanket Bingo” movies of the 1960s. But it is also a term of respect for a wise priest of prehistoric Hawaii (before the Christian missionaries arrived in 1820).

More detailed info on the Big Kahuna event, click here for an earlier Tucsoncitizen.com entry. Or here for a printable version of the schedule to take along with you and the kids, plus lots of friends.

Surf’s up?