The Tucson Peace and Music Festival

Hundreds of mellow Tucsonans gathered Saturday to take part in Tucson's 26th Annual Peace Fair and Music Festival. Live music continuously played to the crowd as they lied on blankets in the grass of Reid Park's DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center, all united in the common goal of non-violence.

The event, which was free and ran from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., featured about 50 booths that lined the perimeter of the center. The booths housed different organizations, art, and projects, ranging from marijuana legalization groups to human and civil rights activists.

There were also plenty of home-made crafts to peruse and purchase, like colorful glass mosaics and intricate jewelery. Proceeds for many of the crafts benefited different causes, such as woven bracelets supporting the end of genocide for the Wayuu people of Northern Colombia and Northwest Venezuela.

The fair takes place every year and is sponsored by the Tucson Peace Center. The goal is to provide an event that is both educational and fun to provide information and activities about peace, social justice, labor and the environment.

Although the stands were an attraction for many who attended the fair, most just wanted to enjoy the sunny weather and great music. Some of the bands included Mitzi Cowell, Spirit Familia, and The Raging Grannies to name a few. Families gathered and children ran around barefoot, faces painted, as the sounds of various genres of music filled the air.

But my favorite part of the day was the entrance to the fair, where people were greeted by a group holding signs that read, "FREE HUGS." Because who doesn't need a hug every once in a while?

A frown was not to be found at the Tucson Peace Fair and Music Festival, but plenty of tie-dye and charity was. Peace, Love and Harmony, man.

An Array of Colorful Art from Around Nogales, Mexico

Throughout the streets and shops of Nogales, Mexico pieces of intricate artwork can be appreciated almost anywhere you turn. From paintings to metal work, pottery to flatware, mostly everything you see is infused with an artistic touch.

The largest influence on Mexican artwork is religion, namely the Catholic religion. Ornate and colorful crosses hang around restaurants and stores. The Wilson family, owners of the building that houses La Roca, one of the most famous retaurants along the border on the Mexico side, also owns an art shop that resides below the restaurant.

El Changarro houses furniture, antiques, pottery and dish ware, ceremonial masks, and plenty of beautiful paintings. According to Bon Wilson, the family travels around Mexico to find the most eye-catching pieces. Some of the destinations include Guerrero, Mexico City, Puebla, and Oaxaca. The hand-crafted artwork is popular with tourists to the area.

Wilson carries many religious pieces in his shop.

"The Guadalupe Virgin (Virgin Mary) and saints are main figures in much of the arts in the country," he explains. "Mexican culture is deeply rooted in religion."

Wherever you turn in Nogales, the rich artistic background of Mexico is apparant.

The Infamous Sonoran Hot Dog

Anytime I make a new friend that did not grow up in Tucson, I look forward to introducing them to one of the city's specialties: The Sonoran, or Mexican hot dog. I usually have a little trouble convincing people that some of the best food in Tucson comes from obscure metal food stands located on the side of the road, but to this day, no one has been disappointed. A hot dog is wrapped in bacon, grilled and topped with beans, onions and jalepeno. Many variations of the local treat are available. Here, a guide to the best places to enjoy your first Mexican hot dog.

Although plenty of amazing Mexican food stands exist in Tucson, there is one that stands out among the rest as the most popular. El Guero Canelo, which began as a tiny 6' by 8' stand, has grown into one of the Tucson's most infamous places to eat. The Contreras family opened the business in 1993 and has since had to expand. The hot dogs are the restaurant's specialty, but they also serve other traditional items from quesadillas to tacos and even breakfast on the weekends. My favorite part (besides the hot dogs) is the soda served in glass bottles. El Guero Canelo has two locations, and maps to each can easily be printed from the website.

Another great place to go for Mexican hot dogs is BK Carne Asada and Hot Dogs.
The menu is similar to that of El Guero Canelo, and there are also twp locations. My favorite part about this restaurant is the special they have on Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. During this happy hour, domestic bottles of beer can be purchased for just 99 cents.

Mexican hot dogs can also be found on stands along 4th avenue, and are a staple among the late-night bar crowd that congregates there on the weekends. Anywhere you go, a Sonoran dog can generally be purchased for around $3. Or try making your own!