Wildflower Details and Schedule are found Here!
Date Published: Mar 02, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 2, 2006
VISTANCIA'S WILDFLOWER WEEKEND TO USHER IN SPRING
Children can paint their own petroglyphs and climb a "mountain" as well as learn fascinating things about the Arizona desert during Vistancia's annual Wildflower Weekend March 25-26.
The activities are free and open to the public and are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Peoria community, located northwest of Lake Pleasant Road and Happy Valley Parkway. All events will begin at Vistancia's Discovery Center.
To create their own gardens, wildflower seed packets will be given away to those attending.
Saturday kicks off with David Morris, a Native American ethno-botanist from Phoenix's Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park, leading two 90-minute hikes along the community's Discovery Trail. The two-mile hikes, scheduled for 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., will feature Morris' informative talks on the medicinal, dietary and religious uses by Native American cultures of native plants found along the 3.35 mile trail.
At noon, Morris will give a "Harvest of the Desert" hands-on presentation regarding the traditional uses of Sonoran Desert plants like jojoba and mesquite beans, prickly pear cactus and creosote bushes. He will explain the ceremonial applications of plants such as desert tobacco and will entertain with stories of how some desert foliage came to exist.
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VISTANCIA HOSTS WILDFLOWER WEEKEND
Also at noon, Liberty Wildlife will be on hand to present a 3-hour clinic on rescued desert animals, displaying some of the critters the center is currently
rehabilitating.
Sunday's activities include two hikes with Morris at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. as well as a petroglyph painting class at noon, where he will show youngsters how they can re-create rock drawings similar to those of prehistoric times.
At 1 p.m., Expectation Sports will be on site with its 24-foot mobile rock climbing wall nicknamed "The Mountain." Designed for everyone from novices to seasoned climbers, attendees can test their skills and scale the wall until 4 p.m.
On both days, Hawaiian coffees, frozen coffee drinks and smoothies will be available for purchase, along with fresh six packs of mini-donuts.
To reach Vistancia, take 99th Avenue north to Happy Valley Parkway. Turn left on Happy Valley Parkway and head west four miles. Once in the community, follow the signs to the Discovery Center.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
Saturday, March 25th
10:00AM & 2:00 PM - Interpretive Desert Walks
Trail walks with David Morris.
12:00 PM -"Harvest of the Desert"
David Morris presents "Harvest of the Desert," a hands-on presentation regarding the traditional uses of Sonoran Desert plants.
12:00 PM - Animal Exploration w/ Liberty Wildlife
Liberty Wildlife will be on hand to present a 3-hour clinic on rescued desert animals, displaying some of the critters the center is currently rehabilitating.
Sunday, March 26th
10:00 AM & 2:00 PM - Interpretive Desert Walks
Trail walks with David Morris.
12:00 PM - Petroglyphs
David Morris will unlock the secrets of petroglyphs and help you create your own rock art.
1:00 PM to 4:00 PM - Rock Climbing
Expectation Sports will be onsite with its 24-foot mobile rock climbing wall. Novices to seasoned climbers are encouraged to test their skills on the wall nicknamed "The Mountain."
