Weekend Ideas for the FAMILY!!

(Jeni, Thanks for these great ideas)

Celebrate Tohono Chul Park’s 25th Birthday

Come to Tohono Chul Park to celebrate its birthday this Saturday at the Silver Birthday Bash! Tohono Chul Park is turning 25 and pulling out all the stops in celebration! This family-friendly event features arts-and-crafts events for all ages, including helping sculptorSelina Littler build an outdoor environmental ground spiral out of desert branches and a paper version of the Birds of Tohono Chul quilt, readings by local children’s authors and a performance by Tucson on the Cheap favoriteStories That Soar.Activities include a reading of “Two Arizona Blackbirds” read by Marilyn Heins at 11:00 AM and 12:30 PM. The “Adventures of Zachary Z. Packrat” will be told by Brooke Bessesen at 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM in the Children’s Ramada.
Stories That Soar is a local literacy group whose professional adult actors act out stories written by local Tucson children. There will also be cake and ice cream to help celebrate 25 years of this beautiful park. Admission prices are regular and Park members are free, so get into the celebratory spirit and enjoy the Tohono Chul Park community!

• Where: Tohono Chul Park, 7366 N. Paseo del Norte, Tucson, AZ, 85704, 520-742-6455 ext. 0.
• When: Saturday, April 17, 2010 from 10 AM – 2 PM. Stories That Soar Performances are at 10:30 AM and 1:00 PM in the performance garden. Other special events as noted above.
• How Much: $7 adults (13+), $5 seniors (62+) and active military, $3 students with valid ID and $2 children aged 5-12. Tohono Chul Park members free.

Tucson Earth Day Festival–2010

The 16^th Annual Tucson Earth Day Festival is this Saturday at Reid Park Zoo! Enjoy environmentally-themed exhibits, music by Tucson 60s Rock-n-Roll band The Retro Rockets and Rolling Stones tribute bandRunning Hot, performances by Tucson beloved dance group Batucaxé and food vendors.The theme this year is “All Species Deserve a Place on Earth”. As part of the theme, there will be a parade, the All Species Procession, starting at 10:00 AM that asks participants to dress up as a species and make a banner telling parade-watchers why your species is important. Use the banners to let people know what to do to help all species have a place on earth! Winners are announced at 11:30 AM.
There will also be a Solar Competition, where middle school students will have designed model solar electric cars and houses through kits of solar cells, motors, batteries, lights and other optional parts. The winner will be declared at 1 PM. Throughout the day there will also be an Alternate Fuel Vehicle Show that will demonstrate how vehicles run on alternative fuels like biodiesel, compressed natural gas, electric, ethanol, propane and waste vegetable oil. Here, you can ask experts how to convert your car as well.
There will also be a free bike valet and a miniature solar car race. Last, but not least, there is free admission to Reid Park Zoo for any biker that shows his or her safety helmet used en route to the park! Take advantage of the free admission either before or after the day’s events, which can be found on the Festival website. Bring the whole family to Reid Park to enjoy the Tucson community, celebrate the beauty of the Earth and contribute to a green event!

• Where: Reid Park, South Country Club at East 22^nd St., Tucson, AZ, 85716, 520-975-2813.
• When: Saturday, April 17, 2010 from 9 AM – 3 PM.
• How Much: Free.

Family Movie Night Under the Stars

I need to mention that this Saturday event is in Sahuarita, so if you aren’t interested in a bit of a drive, read no further. But I thought it looked like a great event for the family, and it’s free. Come out for a free screening of “Firehouse Dog,” kid’s activities, a firefighter photo booth, and food vendors.
Take a blanket or some lawn chairs and enjoy the show, which is hosted by the Green Valley Fire District.

• Where: North Santa Cruz Park, 14455 S. Rancho Sahuarita Blvd. Sahuarita, AZ 85629
• When: Saturday April 17, 2010, from 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
• How much: Free

The Pima County Fair

see their website for more details. *I believe they are in town for the next week or so.