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PCC Sock Hop April 27: Be There or Be Square!

April 18, 2012

Tucson, AZ -- Get out your poodle skirts, dust off the old 45s and cruise over to Pima Community College's Downtown Campus for a fun-filled Friday night sock hop April 27.

PCC's Neon Mile Sock Hop celebrates the lighting of four 1950s-era neon signs that once graced Tucson's streets and have found a new home at the centrally located campus.

The Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation has donated to the College the beautifully restored historic neon signs for placement on the south side of Drachman Street, along the north edge of the Downtown Campus.

The oldest of the large, colorful signs dates back to 1956, when the cars zooming down Speedway had fins, Elvis Presley topped the charts and Tucson was years away from becoming the teeming city it is today.

"These neon works of art are like glowing time machines," said Downtown Campus President Luba Chliwniak. "They take you back to another time. The Downtown Campus is thrilled to share this Neon Mile event with the community and to welcome four amazing pieces of Tucson's history to our campus."

The sock hop will be an evening of fun for the whole family. It will include a classic car show, a fashion show, music, dance lessons and demonstrations, food truck vendors, and vintage family movies and TV shows.

There also will be a short dedication ceremony with remarks by Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation Board President Demion Clinco, Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild, PCC Interim Chancellor Dr. Suzanne Miles and Ward III City Councilwoman Karin Uhlich.

"The installation of the restored neon signs could not have been accomplished without a host of partners and sponsors," Chliwniak said. "It was a real team effort and the College is honored to be a part of it."

  • What: The Neon Mile Sock Hop
  • When: April 27, 6-9 p.m.
  • Where: Downtown Campus, 1255 N. Stone Ave., north parking lot
  • Cost: Free
  • Misc: It's not too late to enter the classic car show. Call Sarah White at 206-7100

Also, on April 28, 9 a.m.-noon, check out the Fifth Annual Miracle Mile Historic Open House & Tour. For information, go to: http://www.tucsonhistoricpreservationfoundation.org/event/miracle-mile-open-house-tour.

CONTACT:
C.J. Karamargin
Vice Chancellor for Public Information and Government Relations
(520) 206-4850
ckaramargin@pima.edu