• Courtesy of the Sunshine Mile Facebook Page

One of Tucson’s most historic mile-long stretches will have its day in the sun tomorrow, and with a forecast of just over 80 degrees, the timing couldn’t be better.

The Historic Sunshine Mile Festival, honoring the strip of Broadway Boulevard highly populated with local businesses between Campbell Avenue and Country Club, kicks off tomorrow at noon with an appearance from Ward 6 Council Member Steve Kozachik as he unveils a mural at 2610 E. Broadway Blvd. Demion Clinco, the president of the Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation Board, will also speak at the event, while the Tucson Barbershop Experience Men's Chorus and a trumpet soloist from Catalina Foothills Band are scheduled to perform.

From there, attendees are encouraged to shop and explore the area, which earned its official name after a 1953 contest sponsored by the East Broadway Merchants, according to the Historic Sunshine Mile website. The nickname stuck, but somewhat faded into obscurity; now, the growing number of reputable local businesses in the area are going the distance to bring shoppers with a taste for eclectic, Southwestern and one-of-a-kind items to their doors.

Many of the shops and restaurants along the Sunshine Mile will offer discounts on merchandise and free refreshments during the festival’s duration, which ends at 5 p.m. The savings don’t stop there, though: attendees can pick up a month-long scavenger hunt flier at participating stores and enter the running to receive gift certificates and prizes.

For a complete list of participating businesses and discount details, visit the Historic Sunshine Mile official website here. Happy hunting, and wear plenty of sunscreen - it’s all in the name.