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‘Bikes, Trains, & Automobiles!’ at Tucson Botanical Gardens

Bikes, Trains, & Automobiles! at Tucson Botanical Gardens (Photo by Matt Sterner)

‘Bikes, Trains, & Automobiles!’ at Tucson Botanical Gardens

Aug 9, 20242 min read

From 6 – 8 p.m. on Saturday, August 17, there’s a family-friendly community event inspired by the local lowrider culture coming to the Tucson Botanical Gardens.

At 2150 N. Alvernon Way, Bikes, Trains, & Automobiles! is celebrating summer and the arrival of Tucson Botanical Gardens’ Volkswagen Bug — barrio style! 

“Visitors to the Gardens will marvel at the lowrider bikes on display, along with an incredible selection of the Old Pueblo’s lowrider cars and vintage VW vehicles. Spot co-host Truly Nolen’s iconic yellow VW 27-foot Limo, with mouse ears and a tail!”

The Barrio Bug is parked outside Nuestro Jardín — Tucson Botanical’s Barrio Garden — and la bici is spiffed up for the occasion.

The trains will be running at The Great Garden Express model garden railway, and a Paleta Cart will be on-site providing the cold treat. Edna’s Eatery by Charly’s Grill will also be open and serving its full menu and grab-and-go snacks.

Edna’s Eatery by Charly’s Grill (Photo by Hannah Hernandez)

From chilaquiles to the locally famous Avocado Toast, there’s a lot happening on the menu at Edna’s since Chef Carlos Guerrero took over earlier this year.

“The reason why I like to showcase the Avocado Toast is because I use a lot of things from the Gardens,” he said. “I started using the tomatoes and I pickled some onions that were given to me from the garden. Now that we have the freedom to use a lot of what’s grown here at the Gardens, we’re going to be using more on the menu.”

Avocado Toast at Edna’s Eatery by Charly’s Grill (Photo by Hannah Hernandez)

Tickets are $19 per adult, $15 for seniors, military members, and students, and then $10 for kids. Also, if you’re a Tucson Botanical Gardens member, tickets are just $14 per person.

Get your tickets soon!



The Tucson Botanical Gardens are located at 2150 N. Alvernon Way. To purchase tickets for this special event go to TucsonBotanical.org

Article written by:

Matt Sterner

Matt Sterner

More about Matt

At 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.

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