Last month we ran the first annual Tucson Macaroni Kid Gold Daisy Awards. You nominated your favorites in a variety of categories, and voted on the top three nominees in each group. HUNDREDS of votes were tallied and the winners for each category have been chosen. Here, at long last, are your 2015 GOLD DAISY AWARD WINNERS!
Entertain Your Kids: Most Loved Places and Activities for Family Fun!
FAMILY FESTIVAL WINNER: Tucson Festival of Books
The Tucson Festival of Books started in 2009 and has gotten better and better each year. There is something for everyone in the family at the TFOB: from storytimes for toddlers and preschoolers, to costumed characters, to writing workshops and author meet and greets, and much, much more. The festival is FREE and open to the public. The 8th Annual Tucson Festival of Books will be on March 12 & 13, 2016.
Runners Up:
Beyond Tucson
Cyclovia
Tucson Meet Yourself
KID-FRIENDLY MUSEUM WINNER: Children's Museum Tucson
Designed especially for children ages 0-8, but with appeal for children of ALL ages, Children's Museum Tucson is a favorite for family entertainment. CMT has educational, interactive and FUN exhibits such as Bodyology, Imaginarium and Wee World (just for children 4 and under), and much more for children to explore.
Runners Up:
Arizona State Museum
Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures
MOVIE THEATER WINNER: The Loft Cinemas
The Loft features FREE screenings of children's movies every month in the Loft Jr. Series. During the summer Loft Kids Fest, they run free children's movies every day for a week, with accompanying crafts and activities. Other Loft family events include sing-a-longs to favorite musicals (such as Frozen and Mary Poppins) and special screenings of current and classic kid-friendly films.
Runners Up:
AMC Foothills
Century Park Place
Harkins at Arizona Pavilions
LIVE THEATRE FOR CHILDREN WINNER: Live Theatre Workshop
Live Theatre Workshop's ongoing Family Theatre series is a perfect introduction to live theatre for young theatre-goers. Interactive and just long enough for limited attention spans, family productions at LTW are great for children ages 3-10 (and adults have a great time, too)! The weekly shows (usually Sunday afternoons at 12:30 PM) include classic fairy tales, original musicals, and popular children's literature (like their recent production of Flat Stanley, The Musical).
Runners Up:
CYT Productions
Stories that Soar
FAVORITE PLACE FOR INDOOR FUN WINNER: Children's Museum Tucson
This is the second category that Children's Museum Tucson earned a GOLD DAISY for! This local family favorite is a great place to have fun indoors, whether it's a hot summer afternoon or a chilly winter morning! See more about CMT under Kid-Friendly Museum Winner (Above).
Runners Up:
My Gym
Pump it Up
FAVORITE PLACE FOR OUTDOOR FUN WINNER: Reid Park Zoo
Tucsonans are proud of their Zoo, and rightly so. With wonderful animals (including local favorite, baby Nandi the elephant), shady pathways, the Kenya Get Wet splash park, and special events such as Boo at the Zoo and Zoo Lights, it is easy to spend a wonderful day outdoors at the zoo! (Editor's note: A membership to the zoo pays for itself in just a couple of visits, and its wonderful to be able to pop in and out for a whole day, or just an hour of outdoor fun!)
Runners Up:
Brandi Fenton Park
YMCA of Southern Arizona
FAVORITE FALL/HALLOWEEN EVENT WINNER: Marana Pumpkin Patch
A pumpkin patch and so much more, Marana Pumpkin Patch features corn mazes, wagon rides, petting zoo, pig & duck races, and the ever-popular jumping pillow and Straw Mountain, all included with admission. For a bit extra, there are pony rides, zipline and a pumpkin canon! 2015 dates for the Marana Pumpkin Patch are October 3-31.
Runners Up:
Night of Fright at Pima Air & Space Museum
Trunk or Treat at NW YMCA
FAVORITE WINTER/CHRISTMAS EVENT WINNER: Winterhaven Festival of Lights
For 66 years the residents of Tucson's Winterhaven neighborhood have hosted this magical festival of lights for the community, one of the longest running festivals of its kind in the country. Winterhaven is FREE to the community, but is also an important event for the Community Food Bank, with tens of thousands of pounds of food donated by Winterhaven visitors. 2015 Winterhave dates are December 12-26, 6-10 PM.
Runners Up:
Enchanted Snowfall at La Encantada
Luminaria Nights at Tucson Botanical Gardens
Zoo Lights at Reid Park Zoo
FAVORITE SPRING/EASTER EVENT WINNER: Eggstravaganza at Mansfield Park (City of Tucson) For 16 years the City of Tucson has held a FREE Egg Hunt and family festival in Mansfield Park. The event includes egg hunts by various age groups, carnival games and a visit from the Easter Bunny!
Runners Up:
Egg Dive at NW YMCA
Mildred & Dildred Egg Hunts
BIRTHDAY PARTY LOCATION WINNER: Pump it Up
If you have a child preschool age or older, you have most likely been to at least one birthday party at Pump it Up. And if you haven't yet, you certainly will! This popular indoor, inflatable party place is a birthday paradise! Kids jump, slide, crawl, roll, and play HARD for 90 minutes in two separate rooms. Afterward they eat, have cake, and open presents in one of the bright, clean party rooms. Pump it Up staff are friendly and helpful, and hosting a party there is as easy for parents as it is fun for kids!
Runners Up:
My Gym
Pollyanna Park at Trail Dust Town
BIRTHDAY PARTY ENTERTAINMENT WINNER: More to the Story Entertainment More than just princesses, More to the Story Entertainment offers characters for birthday parties and events that range from fairies, to villains to Olaf! Party packages include interactive singing and story times, and add-ons range from royal makeovers and princess lessons, to pirate make UNDERS and themed games. Something for every child and every party theme!
Runners Up:
Illusionist Michael Howell
Magic Mr. B
LOCAL ANIMAL ENCOUNTER WINNER: Reid Park Zoo
This is the second category in which Tucson's beloved Reid Park Zoo has earned a Gold Daisy award! At the Zoo, children wander through South American exhibits, watch the otters splash and play, and have an up-close and slightly slimy encounters with the giraffe's tongue as they feed them biscuits. Making the animal encounters even more special, recent births in the last few years at the zoo have allowed us to see lots of animal babies, from lion cubs, to sweet Nandi, to the brand new baby tapir born August 29th.
Runners Up:
Arizona Sonora Desert Museum
TRAK Ranch
PLACE FOR RAINY DAY FUN WINNER: Children's Museum Tucson
This is Children's Museum Tucson's THIRD Gold Daisy Award for 2015. Rain or shine, we love CMT!
Runners Up:
Foothills Mall
Vantage Bowling Centers
PLACE TO SPEND A SCORCHING HOT DAY WINNER: Brandi Fenton Splash Pad
Wet, cool, and relatively safe, there is not much better than a splash pad on a hot summer day. Brandi Fenton's splash pad is centrally located, full of fun features like spraying arches and geysers, and FREE, making it the most loved way to beat the heat.
Runners Up:
Funtasticks Family Fun Park
YMCA of Southern Arizona
PLACE TO SPEND A SUMMER EVENING WINNER: Summer Safari Nights (Reid Park Zoo)
Not only is the Zoo a great place to spend the day, during Friday nights in the summer, it's a wonderful way to spend an evening as well. Summer Safari Nights feature live music and performances, games and activities, community resources, and a chance to glimpse the animals as the sun sets and they are cooling off from the heat of the summer.
Runners Up:
Concerts in the Park (Reid Park)
Funtasticks Family Fun Park
Entertain Your Kids: Most Loved Places and Activities for Family Fun!
FAMILY FESTIVAL WINNER: Tucson Festival of Books
The Tucson Festival of Books started in 2009 and has gotten better and better each year. There is something for everyone in the family at the TFOB: from storytimes for toddlers and preschoolers, to costumed characters, to writing workshops and author meet and greets, and much, much more. The festival is FREE and open to the public. The 8th Annual Tucson Festival of Books will be on March 12 & 13, 2016.
Runners Up:
Beyond Tucson
Cyclovia
Tucson Meet Yourself
KID-FRIENDLY MUSEUM WINNER: Children's Museum Tucson
Designed especially for children ages 0-8, but with appeal for children of ALL ages, Children's Museum Tucson is a favorite for family entertainment. CMT has educational, interactive and FUN exhibits such as Bodyology, Imaginarium and Wee World (just for children 4 and under), and much more for children to explore.
Runners Up:
Arizona State Museum
Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures
MOVIE THEATER WINNER: The Loft Cinemas
The Loft features FREE screenings of children's movies every month in the Loft Jr. Series. During the summer Loft Kids Fest, they run free children's movies every day for a week, with accompanying crafts and activities. Other Loft family events include sing-a-longs to favorite musicals (such as Frozen and Mary Poppins) and special screenings of current and classic kid-friendly films.
Runners Up:
AMC Foothills
Century Park Place
Harkins at Arizona Pavilions
LIVE THEATRE FOR CHILDREN WINNER: Live Theatre Workshop
Live Theatre Workshop's ongoing Family Theatre series is a perfect introduction to live theatre for young theatre-goers. Interactive and just long enough for limited attention spans, family productions at LTW are great for children ages 3-10 (and adults have a great time, too)! The weekly shows (usually Sunday afternoons at 12:30 PM) include classic fairy tales, original musicals, and popular children's literature (like their recent production of Flat Stanley, The Musical).
Runners Up:
CYT Productions
Stories that Soar
FAVORITE PLACE FOR INDOOR FUN WINNER: Children's Museum Tucson
This is the second category that Children's Museum Tucson earned a GOLD DAISY for! This local family favorite is a great place to have fun indoors, whether it's a hot summer afternoon or a chilly winter morning! See more about CMT under Kid-Friendly Museum Winner (Above).
Runners Up:
My Gym
Pump it Up
FAVORITE PLACE FOR OUTDOOR FUN WINNER: Reid Park Zoo
Tucsonans are proud of their Zoo, and rightly so. With wonderful animals (including local favorite, baby Nandi the elephant), shady pathways, the Kenya Get Wet splash park, and special events such as Boo at the Zoo and Zoo Lights, it is easy to spend a wonderful day outdoors at the zoo! (Editor's note: A membership to the zoo pays for itself in just a couple of visits, and its wonderful to be able to pop in and out for a whole day, or just an hour of outdoor fun!)
Runners Up:
Brandi Fenton Park
YMCA of Southern Arizona
FAVORITE FALL/HALLOWEEN EVENT WINNER: Marana Pumpkin Patch
A pumpkin patch and so much more, Marana Pumpkin Patch features corn mazes, wagon rides, petting zoo, pig & duck races, and the ever-popular jumping pillow and Straw Mountain, all included with admission. For a bit extra, there are pony rides, zipline and a pumpkin canon! 2015 dates for the Marana Pumpkin Patch are October 3-31.
Runners Up:
Night of Fright at Pima Air & Space Museum
Trunk or Treat at NW YMCA
FAVORITE WINTER/CHRISTMAS EVENT WINNER: Winterhaven Festival of Lights
For 66 years the residents of Tucson's Winterhaven neighborhood have hosted this magical festival of lights for the community, one of the longest running festivals of its kind in the country. Winterhaven is FREE to the community, but is also an important event for the Community Food Bank, with tens of thousands of pounds of food donated by Winterhaven visitors. 2015 Winterhave dates are December 12-26, 6-10 PM.
Runners Up:
Enchanted Snowfall at La Encantada
Luminaria Nights at Tucson Botanical Gardens
Zoo Lights at Reid Park Zoo
FAVORITE SPRING/EASTER EVENT WINNER: Eggstravaganza at Mansfield Park (City of Tucson) For 16 years the City of Tucson has held a FREE Egg Hunt and family festival in Mansfield Park. The event includes egg hunts by various age groups, carnival games and a visit from the Easter Bunny!
Runners Up:
Egg Dive at NW YMCA
Mildred & Dildred Egg Hunts
BIRTHDAY PARTY LOCATION WINNER: Pump it Up
If you have a child preschool age or older, you have most likely been to at least one birthday party at Pump it Up. And if you haven't yet, you certainly will! This popular indoor, inflatable party place is a birthday paradise! Kids jump, slide, crawl, roll, and play HARD for 90 minutes in two separate rooms. Afterward they eat, have cake, and open presents in one of the bright, clean party rooms. Pump it Up staff are friendly and helpful, and hosting a party there is as easy for parents as it is fun for kids!
Runners Up:
My Gym
Pollyanna Park at Trail Dust Town
BIRTHDAY PARTY ENTERTAINMENT WINNER: More to the Story Entertainment More than just princesses, More to the Story Entertainment offers characters for birthday parties and events that range from fairies, to villains to Olaf! Party packages include interactive singing and story times, and add-ons range from royal makeovers and princess lessons, to pirate make UNDERS and themed games. Something for every child and every party theme!
Runners Up:
Illusionist Michael Howell
Magic Mr. B
LOCAL ANIMAL ENCOUNTER WINNER: Reid Park Zoo
This is the second category in which Tucson's beloved Reid Park Zoo has earned a Gold Daisy award! At the Zoo, children wander through South American exhibits, watch the otters splash and play, and have an up-close and slightly slimy encounters with the giraffe's tongue as they feed them biscuits. Making the animal encounters even more special, recent births in the last few years at the zoo have allowed us to see lots of animal babies, from lion cubs, to sweet Nandi, to the brand new baby tapir born August 29th.
Runners Up:
Arizona Sonora Desert Museum
TRAK Ranch
PLACE FOR RAINY DAY FUN WINNER: Children's Museum Tucson
This is Children's Museum Tucson's THIRD Gold Daisy Award for 2015. Rain or shine, we love CMT!
Runners Up:
Foothills Mall
Vantage Bowling Centers
PLACE TO SPEND A SCORCHING HOT DAY WINNER: Brandi Fenton Splash Pad
Wet, cool, and relatively safe, there is not much better than a splash pad on a hot summer day. Brandi Fenton's splash pad is centrally located, full of fun features like spraying arches and geysers, and FREE, making it the most loved way to beat the heat.
Runners Up:
Funtasticks Family Fun Park
YMCA of Southern Arizona
PLACE TO SPEND A SUMMER EVENING WINNER: Summer Safari Nights (Reid Park Zoo)
Not only is the Zoo a great place to spend the day, during Friday nights in the summer, it's a wonderful way to spend an evening as well. Summer Safari Nights feature live music and performances, games and activities, community resources, and a chance to glimpse the animals as the sun sets and they are cooling off from the heat of the summer.
Runners Up:
Concerts in the Park (Reid Park)
Funtasticks Family Fun Park
