photo courtesy El Día de San Juan Fiesta committee
Located in the shadow of scenic landmarks Sentinel Peak (A Mountain) and Tumamoc Hill, the westside’s Menlo Park exudes raw authenticity. Sun-soaked sidewalks and streets dotted with hardy desert plants and yard shrines bake in the summer heat. By definition, residents here keep it real.
Menlo Park - “Tucson’s Birthplace,” according to neighborhood association website MenloParkTucson.com - was, due to deed restrictions, populated mostly by Anglos until after World War II. It’s now primarily Hispanic, with cultural pride palpable at businesses like Sonora Snow Cones, 937 W. Congress St., and Las Cuatas Mexican Food, 1501 W. St. Mary’s Rd. The wild beauty of the Santa Cruz River Park’s winding bike path lies just beside I-10 bordering the neighborhood.
Area children attend Menlo Park Elementary. Give the Cougars your Arizona Tax Credit at TUSD1.org. Sadly, Menlo Pool and its water slide shut down in 2010 due to city Parks and Recreation cutbacks, although Menlo Park itself at 300 N. Grande Ave. does still offer lighted soccer and softball fields, BBQ grills, and play structures among the shade of its palm trees.
The faded, peeling paint of defunct Menlo Park Video’s well-known Virgen de Guadalupe mural was recently replaced with vibrant, eye-catching colors courtesy of businessman Eddie Urias and property owner Mary Garcia. Upon opening his Money Cutz Barbershop at 914 W. Congress St., Urias hired local artists to restore the virgin to her former glory. Show your appreciation. For directions to the westside’s best fades, tapers, flat tops and custom designs, visit MoneyCutzBarbershopTucson.com.
Menlo Park contains another homespun artistic installation in the religious statues of the Garden of Gethsamane at 602 W. Congress St. Crafted from recovered materials by down-on-his luck World War I veteran Felix Lucero while living under the Congress Street bridge in the late 1930s, these life-size depictions of the Last Supper and Crucifixion retain sacred charm despite showing some deterioration. The tree-lined garden is a popular spot for weddings. Contact 791-4873 for space availability and reservations.
The perfect occasion to visit Menlo Park presents itself Friday, June 24 from 5pm-10pm, when Tucson’s 14th annual El Día de San Juan Fiesta takes place along West Congress at the south side, west bank of the often-dry Santa Cruz River. Legend says that in 1540 Spanish explorer Francisco Vasquez Coronado stood in this very spot and prayed rain would quench the earth. Patron saint of water St. John the Baptist heard his plea, the skies opened, and Coronado declared that henceforth June 24 would begin el chubasco, the monsoon rain season.
Día de San Juan’s free celebration reminds us of the importance of water in the desert. The public is invited to join a procession, witness the blessing of the altar and enjoy performances by mariachis, folklorico dancers, charros and escaramuzas on horseback as well as games, food and refreshments.
“What I like are the Aztec dancers,” says event organizer Rose Julia Nenninger, promising a full evening’s entertainment. Don’t miss it! Details at El-DiadeSanJuan.com.
Menlo Park - “Tucson’s Birthplace,” according to neighborhood association website MenloParkTucson.com - was, due to deed restrictions, populated mostly by Anglos until after World War II. It’s now primarily Hispanic, with cultural pride palpable at businesses like Sonora Snow Cones, 937 W. Congress St., and Las Cuatas Mexican Food, 1501 W. St. Mary’s Rd. The wild beauty of the Santa Cruz River Park’s winding bike path lies just beside I-10 bordering the neighborhood.
Area children attend Menlo Park Elementary. Give the Cougars your Arizona Tax Credit at TUSD1.org. Sadly, Menlo Pool and its water slide shut down in 2010 due to city Parks and Recreation cutbacks, although Menlo Park itself at 300 N. Grande Ave. does still offer lighted soccer and softball fields, BBQ grills, and play structures among the shade of its palm trees.
The faded, peeling paint of defunct Menlo Park Video’s well-known Virgen de Guadalupe mural was recently replaced with vibrant, eye-catching colors courtesy of businessman Eddie Urias and property owner Mary Garcia. Upon opening his Money Cutz Barbershop at 914 W. Congress St., Urias hired local artists to restore the virgin to her former glory. Show your appreciation. For directions to the westside’s best fades, tapers, flat tops and custom designs, visit MoneyCutzBarbershopTucson.com.
Menlo Park contains another homespun artistic installation in the religious statues of the Garden of Gethsamane at 602 W. Congress St. Crafted from recovered materials by down-on-his luck World War I veteran Felix Lucero while living under the Congress Street bridge in the late 1930s, these life-size depictions of the Last Supper and Crucifixion retain sacred charm despite showing some deterioration. The tree-lined garden is a popular spot for weddings. Contact 791-4873 for space availability and reservations.
The perfect occasion to visit Menlo Park presents itself Friday, June 24 from 5pm-10pm, when Tucson’s 14th annual El Día de San Juan Fiesta takes place along West Congress at the south side, west bank of the often-dry Santa Cruz River. Legend says that in 1540 Spanish explorer Francisco Vasquez Coronado stood in this very spot and prayed rain would quench the earth. Patron saint of water St. John the Baptist heard his plea, the skies opened, and Coronado declared that henceforth June 24 would begin el chubasco, the monsoon rain season.
Día de San Juan’s free celebration reminds us of the importance of water in the desert. The public is invited to join a procession, witness the blessing of the altar and enjoy performances by mariachis, folklorico dancers, charros and escaramuzas on horseback as well as games, food and refreshments.
“What I like are the Aztec dancers,” says event organizer Rose Julia Nenninger, promising a full evening’s entertainment. Don’t miss it! Details at El-DiadeSanJuan.com.
