Welcome to issue #59 of Trail Mix, a weekly newsletter that’s about the people, places, history, and happenings in Southeastern Arizona.
Vail hasn’t quite gotten the notice yet, but It’s officially FALL! Hello pumpkins (and the javelina who scour neighborhoods looking for pumpkins to eat off porches). Hello festivals. And, as you’ll read in this week’s newsletter, hello Santa!
See you out there!
~ Kimberly
Publisher of Trail Mix
Vail’s 4th Annual Book Block Party Returns September 26
Mark your calendars, Vail families! The community’s favorite literary celebration is returning to the Land Between the Tracks for its fourth year. On Saturday, September 26, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., the 4th Annual Book Block Party will transform central Vail into an interactive haven for young readers, storytellers, and local families.
Hosted by Baby Rex Productions, Creation School, and Vail Community Programs—with support from Hughes Federal Credit Union—this free event brings together over 20 local nonprofits, businesses, authors, and organizations to ignite a lifelong passion for reading.
This Year’s Theme: "Go Wild for Reading"
This year’s theme invites children to explore literacy through adventure, nature, and imagination. To bring that vision to life, the event is welcoming several new high-profile regional partners, including:
Reid Park Zoo
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Act One
National Park Service
These new additions will join returning community exhibitors to offer hands-on, educational activities that connect the joy of reading to the world around us.
"At the Book Block Party, we believe literacy comes to life when children can experience it, explore it, and connect it to the world around them," says Kristin Gudenkauf, event organizer and founder of Baby Rex Productions. "Last year, many families stayed for hours because every station offered something new to experience. Our hope is that this immersive celebration sparks curiosity, a lifelong love of reading, and a stronger connection to the community long after the event ends."
Free Books, Santa in September, Snacks & Community Fun
Last year’s gathering served over 300 local children, many of whom walked away with more free books than their tote bags could carry. This year promises even more ways to engage:
Literacy & Sweet Treats: Free books for kids, a community book swap, free event tote bags (while supplies last), and a tasty stop at the Galaxy Theatres booth for free popcorn!
Santa in September: Santa is back again this year with the Red Sleigh Toy Run group—bringing holiday cheer early and taking photos with local kiddos!
Library on Wheels & Storytimes: Explore the Pima County Library Bus on-site, enjoy live storytimes with local authors and first responders, and keep your eyes peeled for surprise cosplay costumers making rounds throughout the evening.
Robotics, Youth Groups & Community: Catch the fan-favorite Vail BoxerBots robotics team showing off their high-tech creations! Plus, enjoy a local car show, interactive exhibits, food trucks serving dinner, and assistance from the Vail High School JROTC, who will be on-site helping guide event parking.
Whether your family comes for the storytimes, the desert animal exhibits, the cool robotics demonstrations, or just to pick up a few new bedside reads, the Book Block Party offers an ideal autumn evening outdoors with neighbors.
Event at a Glance
What: 4th Annual Book Block Party
When: Saturday, September 26 | 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Where: Land Between the Tracks (Vail, AZ)
Admission: Free and open to all ages
Thalia | A879970
Located At: Pima Animal Care Center - Eastside
Description: My name is Tahlia.
I am a spayed female, brown and tan Canaan Dog and Queensland Heeler.
Age: The shelter staff think I am about 2 years and 6 months old.
More Info: I have been at the shelter since Jun 11, 2026.
Tahlia is a sweet girl who has plenty of fans at the shelter- here’s what some of them have said:
“I enjoyed another peaceful morning walk with Tahlia yesterday! She walks beautifully on the leash and loves taking her time to sniff, explore, and simply enjoy the world around her. She’s a gentle girl who really enjoys slowing down, looking around, and relaxing with you. Tahlia is a little shy but she’s gaining confidence everyday thanks
to the patience and care of the wonderful staff and volunteers. She’s blossoming more and more with each positive experience.”
📅 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 25 – Oct 1
⚡ Vail School District Athletics (Home Games)
🏈 Varsity Football Home Game | Mica Mountain High School vs. Pueblo When: Friday, September 25 | 7:00 PM
Where: Mica Mountain High School Stadium, 10800 E Valencia Rd, Tucson
The Details: Pack the stands for high school Friday night lights! The Thunderbolts host Pueblo for a big local home matchup.🏈 Varsity Football Home Game | Cienega High School vs. Catalina Foothills When: Friday, September 25 | 7:00 PM
Where: Cienega High School Stadium, 12775 E Mary Ann Cleveland Way, Vail
The Details: Head out to support the Bobcats as they return home to defend their turf under the Friday night lights!
📍 Community Events & Happenings
📖 Vail Christian Storytime | Vail Christian Church
When: Thursday, September 24 | 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, hands-on craft activities, and a light snack!🎸 Friday Night Patio Music | Rocking K Market
When: Friday, September 25 | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Where: Rocking K Market, 7780 S Rocking K Ranch Loop, Vail
The Details: Kick off your weekend on the patio with cold craft brews, fresh pizza, and live local music while soaking in the evening mountain views.📚 4th Annual Book Block Party | Land Between the Tracks
When: Saturday, September 26 | 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Where: Land Between the Tracks, Central Vail
The Details: This year's "Go Wild for Reading" community bash features over 20 local exhibitors, Reid Park Zoo, Desert Museum, free books, Galaxy Theatres popcorn, the Pima County Library Bus, Santa with the Red Sleigh Toy Run group, BoxerBots robotics, a car show, food trucks, and JROTC parking assistance!🍷 Weekend Wine & Live Patio Music | Charron Winery
When: Saturday, September 26 & Sunday, September 27 | 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 high-country breezes, local Southern Arizona wines, and live music on the patio overlooking the Empire Mountains.🥕 Saturday Morning Local Market | Rustic Roots Farmers Market
When: Saturday, September 26 | 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 26 | 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 action featuring Thunder Trucks, Modifieds, Outlaw Stocks, and Super Late Models.🍎 Fall Harvest & Apple Picking | Apple Annie's Orchard
When: Saturday, September 26 & Sunday, September 27 | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Where: 2081 W Hardy Rd, Willcox
The Details: Take a scenic fall road trip to pick fresh apples, enjoy hot apple cider donuts, explore the corn maze, and take a hayride through the orchards.📚 Family Storytime | Esmond Station Library
When: Tuesday, September 29 | 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 connect with 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.
🌵 Spot the Lie: Fall in the Sonoran Desert Edition
Think you know autumn in Southern Arizona? Two of these statements about fall in the Sonoran Desert are true, and one is a lie. Can you spot the fake?
Monsoon "Second Spring" Bloom: Thanks to late-summer monsoon rains, October in the Sonoran Desert actually brings a second mini-bloom of wildflowers, grasses, and vibrant yellow brittlebush across the valley.
Saguaro Autumn Color Change: Just like deciduous trees back East, mature Saguaro cacti turn a deep shade of bronze and rust-orange along their ribs every October to protect themselves from colder night temperatures.
The Tarantula Migration: Every autumn, hundreds of male desert tarantulas emerge from their burrows to roam across the high desert hills in search of a mate—making fall the prime season for tarantula sightings.
Think you spotted the lie? Hit REPLY to this email with your answer (1, 2, or 3)!
Answer to last week’s game: #3 was the lie!
SEE YOU OUT THERE
Publisher, Arizona Trail Mix
Southern Arizona's Unofficial Hype Woman