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, ebilbrey at pr.state.az.us or Monica Enriquez at (602) 542-6997, menriquez at pr.state.az.us
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A DAY BRIMMING WITH CAVE MYSTERIES FOR FAMILIES TO EXPERIENCE TOGETHER

(Phoenix, AZ - January 11, 2007) - Kartchner Caverns State Park invites you to the "Cave Fest" celebration. It will be held at Kartchner Caverns State Park on Saturday, February 3rd from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Prior to the festivities at 8:15 a.m. see a movie of one of Italy's most famous caves, Frasassi. All day during the festivities, there will be special programs to learn about the caves ecosystem including one by expert Debbie Buecher at 2:30 p.m. where you learn how sonar detectors capture ultrasonic calls of bats and Buecher can create her sonar call library to determine bat species. At 3:15 p.m. meet Dr. Robert Casavant and discover the 4-D Laboratory and nano-scale world inside Kartchner Caverns with its megascale architecture and geohydrology of the Basin and Range of the area. The 50th Anniversary commemorative speeches and cake cutting will take place at 12 p.m. Don't miss your chance to meet and get an autograph from Gary Tenen, one of Kartchner Caverns co-discoverers, and much more.

Make reservations for guided tours inside the cave and experience the wonder of cave discovery. Rotunda Tours are available for $18.95 for ages 14 & up and $9.95 for those aged 7 to 13 (children 6 and younger are free). Big Room Tours are available for $22.95 for ages 14 & up and $12.95 for those aged 7 to 13 (children 6 and younger are not allowed on the Big Room Tour). Reservations are not required but are recommended. Reservations can be made by calling (520) 586-CAVE (2283) or online at www.azstateparks.com.

The park entrance fee will be waived for this event. The regular park entrance fee is $5 per vehicle for up to two adults. There is a charge of $2 per adult for each additional adult passenger. An Arizona State Park Annual Pass is sold for $45 (some restrictions apply) and a Premium Annual Pass is sold for $100. To book a tour or for more information about Cave Fest call Kartchner Caverns State Park at (520) 586-2283.

Kartchner Caverns State Park is located on Highway 90, nine miles South of I-10 near Benson, Arizona. Park is open daily. Park hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Discovery Center hours are 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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.

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CaveFest Schedule
February 3, 2007

8:15 - 8:45am
Frasassi Cave Movie
San Vittore delle Chiuse, Italy
Tenen-Tufts Theater

9:00 - 9:45 am
Welcome to Cavefest
Arizona State Parks Staff
Tenen-Tufts Theater

10:00 - 10:30 am
Discovery & Protection
Gary Tenen
Tenen-Tufts Theater

10:45- 11:15 am
Pre-Development Environmental Studies - Jerry Ravert
Tenen-Tufts Theater

Cave Invertebrate Research at KCSP - Steve Willsey
Outdoor Amphitheater

11:30am - Noon
Cave and Bats-Myth vs. Reality - Jerry Trout
Tenen-Tufts Theater

Speleothems -What a Deep Subject - KC Curtis
Outdoor Amphitheater

Noon
50th Anniversary Commemorative Speeches
Ken Travous and guests
Group Use Ramadas

12:15 - 12:45 pm
You Are What You Drink (or) What Goes Down, Must Come Up
Sandy Trout
Tenen-Tufts Theater

BATS (Bats Are Truly Sensational) - Ed Moskwa
Outdoor Amphitheater

1:00 - 1:30 pm
Cave Safety - Mike Flores
Tenen-Tufts Theater

Bats: Friend or No
Peggy Quiatt
Outdoor Amphitheater

1:45 - 2:15 pm
Bats of Kartchner Caverns State Park, 1988-Present
Ronnie Sidner and Debbie Buecher
Tenen-Tufts Theater

It's a Small World
Susan Stucker
Outdoor Amphitheater

2:30 - 3:00 pm
Ultrasonic Calls of Bats at Kartchner Caverns State Park
Debbie Buecher and Ronnie Sidner
Tenen-Tufts Theater

3:15 - 3:45 pm
Kartchner Caverns State Park, A 4-D Laboratory
Bob Casavant
Tenen-Tufts Theater

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