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 Saturday, January 20 – Sunday, January 21.
The spectacle honors the capture of America’s most notorious outlaw by the Tucson Police and Fire Departments. Each year, Hotel Congress steps back in time with vintage cars, live music, 1930s entertainment, local vendors, reenactments of Dillinger’s capture, and more.
Dillinger Days Speakeasy
7 – 10 p.m. on Saturday, January 20
Dillinger Days weekend begins with the Dillinger Speakeasy, an exclusive Hotel Congress experience to travel back to the 1930’s. Celebrate the first night of Dillinger Days weekend with exclusive whiskey tastings, tasty snacks, live music, dancing, premium cigars, a gun trick show, and era-related entertainment, including old gangster movie screenings.
Tickets are $15 per person and the event, which tends to sell out, is from 7 – 10 p.m. So, break out your favorite 1930s digs and purchase your tickets ahead of time.
And one more thing: If you’d like to dine at the Cup Cafe, the crew highly recommends reserving your table well in advance.
Dillinger Days Celebration & Reenactments
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Sunday, January 21
The 2024 Dillinger Days family-friendly block party includes three Dillinger capture reenactments, a historical artifacts exhibit featuring the actual Tommy Gun, a vintage car show, historic lectures, historical walking tours of downtown, and live music From Bees Knees.
The event is free to the public, family-friendly, and seating is first come, first serve.
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.
