Arizona State Parks

Arizona State Parks - Press Release

ARIZONA STATE PARKS
For Immediate Release
Managing and conserving Arizona's natural, cultural and recreational resources for the benefit of the people, both in our Parks and through our Partnerships.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Bilbrey at (602) 542-1996 or (602) 228-8518, or Monica Enriquez at (602) 542-6997… both at pio at azstateparks.gov
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The 8th Annual Fiesta de las Calabazas
October 13 at Oracle State Park

(Oracle, Arizona – September 20, 2007) – Arizona State Parks will celebrate its 50th Anniversary at the 8th Annual Fiesta de las Calabazas. The celebration will bring art, music, pumpkins, food and fun to Oracle State Park on Saturday, October 13 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The Fiesta de las Calabazas promotes eco-tourism and heritage-tourism, fosters awareness of the natural environment, and showcases the cultural and artistic diversity present in the communities of Oracle, San Manuel, and Mammoth as well as neighboring towns in southern Arizona.

Ride the shuttle to the festival site from the Oracle Courthouse north of the Post Office and pay $2 per person (children age 13 and younger free). There is no additional charge to attend the festival or concerts. The first shuttle from town leaves the Courthouse at 9:30 a.m. Art and craft vendors as well as kids’ activities end at 4 p.m., with live music on the main stage continuing until 7 p.m. Shuttles will continue to and from town during the live music concert ending at 7 p.m. Because of space limitations, on-site parking will be available only for those with handicapped stickers or others needing special assistance. The normal entrance fee of $6 per vehicle will apply. Limited parking spaces for the public will open up on-site at Oracle State Park in the evening after 5 p.m. only.

The Mediterranean-style historic Kannally Ranch House will feature 30 exhibitors in a “Local Artists Show of Recent Works” in the living room gallery. The festival includes local author signings, vendors of locally hand-made arts and crafts, non-profit and information booths, and scenic vistas of the surrounding wildlife preserve. There will be a Fiesta Raffle to benefit the “Friends of Oracle State Park, “ with a variety of great prizes donated by local artists and restaurants, and including a night’s stay at a local bed and breakfast. Among other food vendors serving morning to evening, the Oracle Fire Department will host a mid-day “Salsa Tasting Challenge.” The public will get to sample a variety of recipes and determine a “Best of Show” Fiesta winner.

The popular Kids Area will once again offer plenty of hands-on educational activities for all ages, including recycle art, pumpkins to paint, and Corral Stage performances featuring live animal programs and musical guests. Tony Gustin’s Creepy Crawly Zoo will be back to give onlookers a chance to see and touch a variety of bizarre arthropods from around the world. Stage performances by young artists will include local youth band, the Trumpeting Mammoths, and CDO High School Jazz Singers. Students from Oracle, San Manuel and Mammoth schools are creating gourd art to be on display in the Gourd Gallery, and the public will vote on the winner of the annual Gourd Art Contest.

On the Main Stage, the music line-up includes local favorites, Freddie Terry on folk guitar; bluegrass band, The Tortolita Gutpluckers, and Zephyr Strings’ roots Americana. Acclaimed flamenco guitarist, Ismael Barajas, returns to the Fiesta. Oracle Junction will perform, featuring S. Graham Gordon as front man for a heartfelt blend of bluegrass old and new. And the Fiesta de las Calabazas welcomes desert rock trio Bob Meighan with Norm Pratt and Dick Furlow, whose original music and renditions of great songs by obscure songwriters promise to send us dancing into the evening.

This event will also celebrate Arizona State Parks’ 50th anniversary. This will be a celebration with dignitaries and a cake cutting under the big tent at 11 a.m. 50th Anniversary displays will be featured including activities for children.

For more information call Oracle State Park at (520) 896-2425 or visit the Fiesta website at www.calabazas.org. Oracle State Park is located approximately 45 minutes from Tucson, in the northern foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains in the community of Oracle in southern Pinal County.

This event is part of Arizona State Parks 50th Anniversary celebration held from October 2006 through December 2007. Special events will be held at each park such as a traditional mariachi festival, plein art shows, an apple festival, geocaching, solar energy celebrations and astronomy galas. Hiking, fishing, boating and mountain biking await those individuals with an adventurous attitude. Come uncover the many secret places and stories that are still to be found in Arizona's State Parks.

The Arizona State Parks Board was established in 1957 to acquire and manage park and cultural areas. Over the years, legislation has added other programs to Arizona State Parks and as a result, the volunteer Board is responsible for a much broader spectrum of duties. These duties are related to historic preservation, archaeology, outdoor recreation, resource conservation/education and grant administration.

For information about Arizona State Parks call (602) 542-4174 (outside of the Phoenix metro area call toll-free (800) 285-3703) or visit the website at www.azstateparks.com.

Fiesta de las Calabazas
Saturday, October 13, 2007, 10am to 7pm at
Oracle State Park, Center for Environmental Education

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

9:30am: First shuttle leaves from town of Oracle (Oracle Courthouse Parking Lot north of the Post Office) to Oracle State Park Fiesta

10am: Fiesta begins with Art and Craft Vendors, Food Vendors, Author’s Patio, “Local Artists Show of Recent Works” and Self-Guided Tours in the historic Kannally Ranch House; Kid’s Area activities, Pumpkin Patch, and Gourd Gallery public voting begins

10:30am: Corral Stage: ASDM “Desert Ark” program with live animals: snake, tortoise and chuckwalla

11am: Main Stage: Arizona State Parks 50th Anniversary Speakers Food Area: Oracle Fire Dept “Salsa Tasting Challenge” panel judging & public voting begins

11:30am: Main Stage: Oracle Folksinger and songwriter, Fred Terry, performs

11:45am: Corral Stage: Student band troupe, The Trumpeting Mammoths, perform

12pm: Main Stage: Local favorites, The Tortolita Gutpluckers, perform desert bluegrass

12:30pm: ASDM “Desert Ark” program with live animals: snake, tortoise and chuckwalla (repeat program)

1pm: Main Stage: Oracle Junction, with S. Graham Gordon, perform bluegrass old and new

1:30pm: Corral Stage: The Singing Beekeeper, Freddie Terry, performs songs for kids in Spanish and English

2pm: Main Stage: Acclaimed Flamenco guitarist, Ismael Barajas, performs

2:30pm: Corral Stage: “Creepy Crawly Zoo”, Tony Gustin’s nationally renowned interactive live insect exhibit and program

3pm: Food Area: “Salsa Tasting Challenge” public voting ends; Kids Area: Gourd Art Contest public voting ends

3:25pm: Corral Stage: Gourd Art Contest student winners announced, along with “Best of Show” Salsa Tasting Challenge winner

3:30pm: Main Stage: Zephyr Strings performs an eclectic mix of barn jazz, Celtic ballads, folk, blues and bluegrass; Corral Stage: CDO High School Jazz Singers perform Gershwin favorites

4pm: Art & Craft Vendors, Food Area and Kids Area close (following final Corral Stage performance)

5pm: Main Stage: Desert rock trio, Bob Meighan with Norm Pratt and Dick Furlow, perform (Javelina Barbecue food vendor open through last performance)

7pm: Main Stage music ends, Fiesta closes


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