Welcome to issue #58 of Trail Mix, a weekly newsletter that’s about the people, places, history, and happenings in Southeastern Arizona.
Good morning. Yesterday’s temps had me believing that Fall is actually on the horizon! The rain should be subsiding and there’s a lot of fun to be had in and around our area.
In this issue: we’re heading up Highway 83 for cool mountain air and demolition derbies at the 111th Santa Cruz County Fair, looking ahead to a massive local literacy bash at Land Between the Tracks, and getting the scoop on that viral rebrand on Houghton Road that put Rita Ranch right in the middle of a national feud. Plus, your full lineup of Friday night lights, live patio tunes, and local storytimes
See you out there!
~ Kimberly
Publisher of Trail Mix
A Weekend Escape to the Rolling Hills: The 111th Santa Cruz County Fair
The Sonoita Fairgrounds are calling! The 111th Santa Cruz County Fair kicks off this Friday, September 18, and runs through Sunday, September 20, offering a full lineup of rural traditions, carnival fun, and family entertainment.
Located just 35 minutes south of Vail in the heart of wine country, the fairgrounds offer a cooler elevation and a true small-town atmosphere. What started over a century ago as a simple gathering for early Arizona cattle ranchers to test their horses and show off regional crops has grown into one of Southern Arizona’s most cherished high-desert traditions. Generations of local families have made the autumn trip down the highway to experience the fair's blend of agricultural heritage, community competition, and festive energy.
This year’s fair packs high-energy entertainment into three short days. Fairgoers can catch the high-octane action of the popular Demolition Derby and traditional Ranch Rodeo events in the main arena. Stroll through the buzzing midway with a bag of hot churros or funnel cake in hand, take in the sights from the top of the Ferris wheel, and listen to live music echoing across the grounds all evening. Whether you're cheering on local youth at the 4-H animal showmanship events or soaking in the sunset over the grassland hills, it’s the exact kind of vibrant, nostalgic weekend getaway that makes autumn in Southern Arizona so special.
What to Expect:
Youth Livestock & 4-H Exhibitions: Watch local youth showcase their prize livestock, agricultural projects, and handicrafts.
Carnival & Main Stage: Enjoy classic rides, fairway food, live music, magicians, and local performance groups throughout all three days.
Ranch Rodeo & Equine Events: Experience Western heritage firsthand with traditional ranch rodeo showcases and horse exhibitions held right in the main arena.
Farmers Market & Exhibits: Browse local artisan crafts, fresh high-country produce, baking contests, and floral displays in the main hall.
Event Details:
Where: Sonoita Fairgrounds (3142 S. Highway 83, Sonoita, AZ)
Hours: Gates open at 9:00 AM daily.
Admission:
Friday, Sept 18: $5 admission ($15 and under free entry until Noon).
Saturday, Sept 19: $5 (9 AM – 2 PM); $15 after 2 PM.
Sunday, Sept 20: $5 general admission.
Kids 5 and under enter free every day.
It’s an easy, beautiful day trip for local residents looking to celebrate high-desert heritage before autumn fully sets in.
Looking Ahead: Mark Your Calendars for the 4th Annual Book Block Party
While you’re planning your trip down to the fairgrounds this weekend, don't forget to save date for next week’s biggest local family tradition! On Saturday, September 26, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., the Land Between the Tracks in heart-of-Vail will transform into an interactive literacy adventure for the 4th Annual Book Block Party. Featuring this year's "Go Wild for Reading" theme, the free community event brings together local storytellers, authors, first responders, food trucks, a car show, and new regional partners like the Reid Park Zoo and Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Plus, every child walks away with a free tote bag stuffed with books to keep—so keep an eye out for our full event preview and sponsor spotlight in next Thursday’s issue!
What Happened at the Former Bricks-and-Minifigs Store?
If you drove past the Fry’s shopping plaza on Houghton Road in Rita Ranch last weekend, you might have noticed a sudden transformation. The sign for Bricks & Minifigs Southeast Tucson was draped in a tarp and replaced with a banner for Reckless Bricks.
This isn't just a simple name change. It puts our corner of Southeast Tucson right in the middle of a massive national feud. YouTuber Benjamin Schneider ("Reckless Ben") spearheaded the rebrand as part of his ongoing investigation into the corporate franchise. The national dispute originally exploded over a Keizer, Oregon location, where a customer's family alleged that a rare $200,000 Star Wars Lego collection left on consignment was wrongfully retained and never returned after a change in store ownership. Claiming corporate policies exploit both customers and store owners, Schneider set out to disrupt the company's model by offering franchisee owners royalty-free rebrands. He chose our Houghton Road location as his brand's very first domino store, kicking off the launch last Saturday with a red carpet, custom-signed Lego sets, and livestreams broadcast nationwide.
However, the high-profile launch was short-lived. By early this week, the store was temporarily closed, leaving curious local shoppers and online spectators wondering about the location's future. Given strict franchise non-compete rules and pending legal battles, we are keeping a close eye on the storefront to see whether the doors reopen or corporate proceedings take over. 🍿
I love keeping our newsletter focused on local events, community pillars, and family happenings around Vail and SE Tucson. But when high-profile national headlines land right in our backyard, I want to know what you want to read!
Do you want me to keep digging into this Reckless Bricks saga and report back? Reply and let me know!
Henry | A769761
Located At: Pima Animal Care Center - Eastside
Description: My name is Henry. I am a neutered male, white and black Pit Bull Terrier mix.
Age: The shelter staff think I am about 5 years old.
This handsome fella is Henry. He hasn’t been with PACC long, but in that time we’ve learned that he is VERY SMART. He has learned how to sit and “give paw.” He’s also got one heck of a good smile!
📅 Local Events In the Newsletter Are Back! Have an upcoming event, market, or community gathering you want to share with neighbors? Submit your event here to get it on the schedule.
(Looking to highlight your business or make your event stand out with a custom banner image? Hit reply on this email—I’d love to share the local sponsor options with you!)
Happening Around Town: Sept 18 - 24
⚡ Vail School District Athletics (Home Games)
🏈 Varsity Football Home Game | Cienega High School vs. Salpointe Catholic
When: Friday, September 18 | 7:00 PM
Where: Cienega High School Stadium, 12775 E Mary Ann Cleveland Way, Vail
The Details: Pack the stands as the Cienega Bobcats host a big non-region matchup against Salpointe Catholic under the Friday night lights!
🏈 Varsity Football Home Game | Empire High School vs. Sahuarita
When: Friday, September 18 | 7:00 PM
Where: Empire High School Stadium, 10701 E Mary Ann Cleveland Way, Tucson
The Details: Head out to support the Ravens as they defend home turf against Sahuarita in a Friday night regional battle.
📍 Community Events & Happenings
📖 Vail Christian Storytime | Vail Christian Church
When: Thursday, September 17 | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Where: Vail Christian Church, 9455 S Colossal Cave Rd, Vail
The Details: A free, welcoming morning for infants through Pre-K kiddos and their caregivers featuring story reading, engaging songs, and hands-on craft activities!
🎪 111th Santa Cruz County Fair | Sonoita Fairgrounds
When: Friday, September 18 – Sunday, September 20 | Gates open at 9:00 AM daily
Where: Sonoita Fairgrounds, 3142 S Highway 83, Sonoita (Just ~35 mins south of Vail)
The Details: A classic high-desert tradition featuring 4-H livestock exhibits, carnival rides, live music, local vendors, a Ranch Rodeo, and the popular Demolition Derby!
🎸 Friday Night Patio Music | Rocking K Market
When: Friday, September 18 | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Where: Rocking K Market, 7780 S Rocking K Ranch Loop, Vail
The Details: Kick off the weekend on the patio with cold craft brews, pizza, and live local music while soaking in the mountain views.
🍷 Weekend Wine & Live Music | Charron Winery
When: Saturday, September 19 & Sunday, September 20 | 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Music 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM)
Where: Charron Vineyards, 18585 S Sonoita Hwy, Vail
The Details: Escape up the highway for cool breezes, local Southern Arizona wines, and live patio tunes overlooking the Empire Mountains.
🥕 Saturday Morning Local Market | Rustic Roots Farmers Market
When: Saturday, September 19 | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Where: 9848 E Old Vail Rd, Rita Ranch
The Details: Grab your morning coffee and stock up on local fresh produce, baked pastries, artisan honey, handcrafted soaps, and neighborhood goods.
🏁 Saturday Night Asphalt Short Track Racing | Tucson Speedway
When: Saturday, September 19 | Gates open at 5:00 PM | Racing at 6:30 PM
Where: Tucson Speedway, 11900 S Harrison Rd, Tucson
The Details: Feel the rumble of the track with local short-track racing featuring Thunder Trucks, Modifieds, Outlaw Stocks, and Super Late Models.
📚 Family Storytime | Esmond Station Library
When: Tuesday, September 22 | 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Where: Esmond Station Library, 10931 E Mary Ann Cleveland Way, Vail
The Details: Bring the little ones for interactive stories, songs, fingerplays, and hands-on crafts designed to build early literacy skills and meet neighbor families.
Welcome to Spot the Lie, our new weekly game testing your local desert wisdom! Think you know the quirks, history, and survival secrets of our Southern Arizona backyard? Hit reply with your best guess. The answer will appear in next week's issue.
⚡ Two Truths & A Lie: Santa Cruz County Fair Edition
The Santa Cruz County Fair in nearby Sonoita is one of our favorite local traditions, but how well do you know its history? Two of these statements are true, and one is a lie. Can you spot it?
Oldest Quarter Horse Show: The fairgrounds in Sonoita are home to the longest continuously running Quarter Horse show in the entire United States, which got its official start way back in 1939.
Beat the Heat: Sitting up in the rolling grasslands at nearly 5,000 feet in elevation, the fairgrounds average temperatures that are typically 10 to 15 degrees cooler than Tucson and Vail.
The Giant Apple Pie: To commemorate the opening of the fairgrounds, fairgoers famously baked a world-record-breaking 8-foot apple pie in a custom outdoor brick oven made of Sonoran clay.
Think you spotted the lie? Hit REPLY to this email with your answer (1, 2, 3, or 4)!
Answer to last week’s game: #3 was the lie!
SEE YOU OUT THERE
Publisher, Arizona Trail Mix
Southern Arizona's Unofficial Hype Woman