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?