Novelty National Days with Fun Marana Experiences

Everyone knows summer for Independence Day, but did you know that there are many more novelty "National Day" celebrations during the season?

In fact, there's a National Day pretty much every day of the year. Here are some pretty interesting ones that you can celebrate with some fun Marana experiences!

Independence Day (July 4th)

Celebrate America's birthday at the Star-Spangled Spectacular, with a full evening of festive fun for the whole family! There will be live music, fun games and activites for the kids, a car show featuring sweet rides both modern and classic, over 35 food and drink vendors of all kinds, exhibitiors, and craft vendors, and, to cap off the evening, the LARGEST and LONGEST fireworks display in Southern Arizona! The fun starts at 5 PM at Crossroads at Silverbell District Park, and the fireworks start at 9 PM!

National Detroit-Style Pizza Day (June 23rd)

Originating in Detroit in 1946 but taking the country by storm in recent years, it's unique for having a thick, yet fluffy crust, toppings all the way to the edge, and crispy cheese on the sides. Local Marana pizza joint Twin Peaks Pizzeria offers it on their menu, and there being a national day dedicated to it makes the perfect excuse to try a square of it!

CreditTwin Peaks Pizzeria

National Fried Chicken Day (July 6th)

A little off the beaten path at Ina & Thornydale in southern Marana is Lucky Wishbone, a local favorite, family-owned chain dating back to 1953! It's famous for its fried chicken, steak fingers, and shrimp, and the Marana location is a perfect local way to celebrate National Fried Chicken Day. You can also go to Dave's Hot Chicken, which just opened their second Tucson-area location in Marana in May 2024! It was founded in Los Angeles in 2017 and is taking the country by storm.

CreditLucky Wishbone

National Macaroni Day (July 7th)

Marana doesn't only have good Mexican restaurants, we've also got some pretty good Italian places. For lunch or dinner, there's Amore and Dominick's Real Italian, both with excellent selections of pastas, soups, salads, and more, in a relaxed, casual atmosphere. And for the health-conscious, don't worry, they have gluten-free options as well.

CreditVero Amore

National Ice Cream Day (July 16th)

The summer heat will surely put you in the mood for some ice cream! Satisfy that craving at The Screamery, with a wide selection of fresh-made flavors, Snow Mountain Creamery, a classic ice cream shop near Downtown Marana, or Scrumdiddly, with 23 creative flavors, including some Italian Ice and dairy-free options in the Dove Mountain neighborhood. Or, try the signature offering of Jeremiah's Italian Ice, a gelati, with layered Italian ice and ice cream.

CreditThe Screamery

National Hot Dog Day (July 19th)

Celebrate National Hot Dog Day with a Sonoran Hot Dog, Southern Arizona's take on the classic bit of Americana. Grab one from one of Marana's several taco trucks or restaurants. For the uninitiated, La Carreta del Rorro, Taqueria Plazas, or The Blacktop Grill are some good places to start! Unsure of what a Sonoran Hot Dog is exactly? Well, you're in luck. Here's a blog on everything you could want to know about them, or another blog with 8 unique takes on Sonoran Hot Dogs in & around Marana!

PicturedSonoran Hot Dog from La Carreta del Rorro

National Tequila Day (July 24th)

Did you know that the best margarita in the Tucson area is right here in Marana? And it's not just us who thinks that! Nana's Kitchen is home to the Marco's Secret Agua Fresca Margarita, which won first overall in the People's Choice category at the 2024 World Margarita Championship, and Bisbee Breakfast Club, home to the 2024 Judge's Choice winner, the Desert Refresher Cucumber Lemonade Margarita! Stop by to celebrate National Tequila Day and these great restaurants' victories. Marana is also home to several other great Mexican places with a great selection of margaritas, including La Olla Mexican Cafe, Tio Ben's Mexican Grill, and more.

Several Marana restaurants have participated in and won awards at the World Margarita Championship over the past several years. Learn more about them and their award-winning margaritas!

PicturedMarco Teran serves up a specialty margarita at the bar inside Nana's Kitchen. They are also well known of their selection of bourbon and other spirits.
CreditNatalie Moe/HappilyPink.com

National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day (August 4th)

Everyone loves warm, fresh-baked, melt-in-your-mouth cookies. They're a perfect sweet fix to brighten up your day. Head to Dirty Dough for delicious chocolate chip cookies stuffed with icing, or to Sodalicious at Twin Peaks & Silverbell for chocolate chip, snickerdoodle, and sugar cookies along with refreshing, creative sodas. You can also head to Scrumdiddly in Dove Mountain, who serve up warm, fresh cookies, which are great to have topped with their ice cream!

National Fajita Day (August 18th)

Add some sizzle into your summer with National Fajita Day! Stop by one of our local sit-down Mexican restaurants to celebrate - Nana's Kitchen, Tio Ben's Mexican Grill, La Parrilla Suiza, El Molinto, and Guadalajara's Grill & Tequila Bar all have fajitas on the menu. You'll be sure to draw the attention - and envy - of your fellow diners when they bring your sizzling fajitas to your table!

PicturedA plate of homemade fajitas at Nana's Kitchen in Marana, Arizona
CreditNatalie Moe/HappilyPink.com

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