Main entrance Hotel Congress, Tucson - photo credit N. Dickinson

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Hotel Congress offers live music, tours, lectures, exhibits and re-enactments of the events leading up to the Dillinger gang’s Tucson capture in 1934.

JohnHerbert Dillinger, born June 22, 1903, was probably one of the most notorious and dangerous gangsters from the Prohibition Era.  Legend has it he and his gang spent a great deal of time at the Hotel Congress, using it as their "hide out" when the police were closing in on them.  Under special arrangment with the employees of the hotel, when the Tucson police were coming to arrest him, he was alerted and had the opportunity to escape.  For several months this continued until a fire forced their evacuation and onsite police and fire department personnel recognized him and his gang, resulting in their arrest.

To commemorate Hotel Congress role in the life and subsequent capture of John Dillinger, the hotel is hosting the Dillinger Day Festival.  Admission is free and all Hotel Congress asks of its visitors for this event is that they don the attire of the 1930's including zoot suits and flapper dresses.  While it's not required you dress a la 1930's, getting into the spirit of the event is strongly suggested. 

Beginning at 9 o'clock AM this Saturday, January 23, 2010, there will be a Tommy Gun display sponsored by Wells Fargo, a street viewing of several Model A vintage cars, a walking tour of the downtown area and many, many more events, displays and re-enactments.  Don't forget to hope (or walk) across the street from Hotel Congress for a delicious meal at Maynard's Kitchen and Market.  The complete schedule of events (as taken from the Dillinger Day website):

January 23, 2010

9am to 3:45pm             Wells Fargo Historic Museum Tommy Gun Display
9am to 4:00pm             Festival begins with 45 Model A Car Club street car viewing
10am to 5pm                Arts and Crafts Vendor Fair/Carnival Games at HistoricTrain Depot
9am to 5pm                  Old Pueblo Trolley Tours available

9am to 10am                 Dillinger Day Lecture “A Nine Ring Legal Circus” by Dowdle in Copper Hall

10am to 11:30               Dillinger Day Downtown Walking Tour by Andy Dowdle
11am to 11:30am          Dillinger Re-Enactment Scene One
12pm to 12:45pm          Carl Hanni spinning period music-hits of the 30s

12pm to 1:30pm

John Dillinger - Photo credit: The Dirty Thirties

            VIP Sponsor Happy Hour at Maynard’s Drawing Room

1pm to 1:30pm               Dillinger Re-Enactment Scene Two

1:30pm to 2:30pm          Copper Hall Lecture (Ken Scollville)

1:30pm to 3pm              Downtown Walking Tour Tucson History

2:00pm to 3:00pm          Copper Hall Lecture with Jim Blees

2pm to 2:45pm               Awkward Moments

3pm to 3:45pm               Dillinger Re-Enactment Scene One and Two

4pm-                               Model A Car Club Exit Procession

4:15pm to 5:30pm           VIP Sponsor Happy Hour at Maynard’s Drawing Room

5:30pm to 7:30pm           Johnny Depp “Public Enemy” movie at Fox Theatre

Trolley rides available. Self Guided Tours available.

For more info and directions to Hotel Congress: Hotel Congress website w/map