The Tucson capture of John Dillinger, one of American history's most infamous outlaws, is a key moment in the city's history and the focus of the annual Dillinger Days, which is happening this weekend. And this year, you can join in on the fun even if you can't be there in person.
The Hotel Congress, which hosts the free Dillinger Days festival Saturday, January 23, played a key role in Dillinger's arrest in January 1934. According to the hotel, Dillinger and his gang were staying at the hotel under aliases after a string of bank robberies. A fire broke out and the hotel was evacuated, and later, a firefighter recognized the gang in a copy of True Detective magazine. Tucson police captured Dillinger at a Second Avenue house a short time later.
Dillinger Days includes three re-enactments of Dillinger's capture. This year, the hotel has teamed up with Cox Communications to live-stream all three on the Hotel Congress website. Saturday's festivities also include historical tours and lectures, a beer garden, a vintage-car show, live music and a special 25-cent screening of A Shriek in the Night, a 1933 film starring Ginger Rogers.
Saturday's events, which begin at 9 a.m., are free and family-friendly. The preceding day, Friday, January 22, is Dillinger's Speakeasy, which features live music, a burlesque show and other nostalgia. That event, at Club Congress, is for ages 21 and older, and tickets are $25. Proceeds benefit the Greater Tucson Fire Foundation. For more information on the Speakeasy, click here.