Last night there was a joyful community celebration for Tucson’s 235th birthday at the lovely new Martha Cooper Branch Library, 1377 N. Catalina Avenue. Here’s a photo taken by Tucson’s Birthday photographer Jon Scanlon of a cactus quilt panel (for a community quilt) created by Tucson Birthday Ambassador Rita Griffin:

cactus quilt panel, courtesy of Jon Scanlon

More photos (all courtesy of Jon Scanlon) of that family-fun birthday event and of the community quilt they are creating at that library can be seen by clicking here and on the Tucson Birthday website (www.tucsonsbirthday.com).

community quilt panels (by children and adults)

If you see yourself or others you know in the photos, you can add a comment under the photo in the Flickr file. (I did, as my husband is pictured next to the birthday cake).

lots of birthday hat crafts for the kids in the library meeting room

kids and parents making crafts at birthday party

cereus cactus flower quilt panel

cowboy boot quilt panel

Here’s another photo of a embroidered quilt panel of the three Spanish Army founders of Presidio San Agustin del Tucson (including red haired Hugo O’Conor in front) by Tucson Birthday Ambassador Pat Anderson.

This community quilt (with panels created by children as well as adults) will be completed with a backing, and then hung in the Martha Cooper Branch Library. For contact info about the quilt: Teresa Simone, 520-594-5315, tsimone@pima.gov.

The celebrations don’t end today, as the Sister Cities of Tucson-Roscommon invite the public to celebrate Tucson’s founder Hugo O’Conor’s birthday on August 29, 2 to 5 p.m. at O’Shaughnessy’s, 2200 N. Camino Principal. $5 cover includes Irish music & dancers, a bagpipe band, birthday cake and one non-alcoholic drink. (Remember that O’Conor was an Irishman serving in the Spanish Army back on August 20, 1775, which gives this celebration an international flair.)

Happy Birthday again, Tucson!