It’s that time of year again to gather up the gang — and all of your closest cool cats — because one of Tucson’s most wanted events is taking over the historic hotel downtown.
Hotel Congress is hosting the annual Dillinger Days event from Friday, January 17 – Saturday, January 18.
The spectacle honors the capture of America’s most notorious outlaw by the Tucson Police and Fire Departments. Each year, the team at Hotel Congress steps back in time with vintage cars, 1930s entertainment, local vendors, reenactments of Dillinger’s capture, and more.
There are two days of events so plan accordingly!
Dillinger Speakeasy
Friday, January 17
From 7 – 10 p.m. on Friday, January 17, the Dillinger Speakeasy kicks off, featuring live entertainment from Marco & the Polos and the Johnny Hotshot Gun Show, a best-dressed contest, and a whiskey-tasting flight.
General Admission is $19.06 per person. If you’d like a whiskey-tasting flight, tickets are $45 (includes General Admission and the flight). Also, tickets usually sell out quickly.
“Grab your finest 1930s duds and join us for a prohibition party to remember.”
Dillinger Day
Saturday, January 18
The festivities are happening from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturday, January 18. On this day, they’ll commemorate the 91st anniversary of John Dillinger’s capture by the Tucson Police Department.
The Saturday Dillinger Days event is a family-friendly extravaganza featuring three capture reenactments, a FREE vintage car show, historic lectures, and downtown walking tours.
$5 donation reserves your seat! Proceeds support The Tucson Fire Foundation
“Don’t miss seeing the fully restored Tucson Fire Department trucks that fought the actual 1934 fire!”
Hotel Congress is located at 311 E. Congress St. For more information and to keep up with the latest, visit hotelcongress.com.
Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.
