Cheers! NAU wakes up to homecoming drink tradition

It’s day drinking at its finest Saturday when Northern Arizona University homecoming tradition, Tequila Sunrise, gets under way.

The event dates back to the 1970s. “It started as one bar that decided to open at five thirty in the morning and serve tequila,” said Steve Saville, downtown manager for the City of Flagstaff.

Now, up to eight bars are involved, serving drink special as early as six o’clock in the morning. The event draws hundreds of students and alumni.

“When you start to party that early in the morning, that does bring a certain amount of safety issues, that’s why we’ve been working directly with bar owners, the police department and NAU,” said Saville.