Floodwaters down the Gila River have prompted a few changes in the upcoming seventh-annual Tres Rios Nature and Earth Festival March 6-7. It was announced previously that the celebration of the outdoors will be held at Estrella Mountain Regional Park, instead of the usual spot along the river near Phoenix International Raceway.
Due to safety concerns regarding increased flows, event organizers decided to not offer canoeing and kids fishing in the river and adjacent backwaters. Fishing, however, will still be available on a localized basis along with and guided hikes and archery.
The changes, however, will not dampen in any way the opportunities the Festival will offer to outdoor lovers wanting to celebrate all the natural world has to offer. Featured are wildlife watching, live music, nature exhibits, hiking.
Admission is free for the two-day event, scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, however there will be a $2 entry fee per vehicle for entry into the park.
February 26, 2010
February 12, 2010
Rain Forces Location Change for Tres Rios Festival
The location of the Tres Rios Nature and Earth Festival March 6-7 has been changed for 2010, thanks to Mother Nature and the man-made water flows down the Gila River west of Phoenix.
Estrella Mountain Regional Park, one of Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department's crown jewels, has agreed to host the seventh annual event due to heavy rainstorm-related runoff rendering the familiar location near Phoenix International Raceway unusable.
Located south of Goodyear, Estrella Mountain Park was the site of the Festival during the early years and park supervisor Carolyn Mayberry has been most gracious in accommodating the 2010 event, which will again feature free admission along with a $2 per vehicle parking fee, courtesy of the Park.
The relocation aside, longtime Festival fans, as well as first timers, will continue to enjoy all the Festival has to offer, including great music from the Back Porch Bandits, canoeing, hiking, bird watching, kids' fishing and nature areas, educational and entertaining booths, plus quality food and drink booths.
"We regret have to move the Festival at this late date, but our preferred site was not conducive to hosting a safe and comfortable venue for this great event," said Tom Hildebrandt of the Arizona Game and Fish Department, chairman of the Tres Rios steering committee.
Generous support from a variety of sponsors, including Arizona Public Service, Arizona Game and Fish Department, City of Avondale, Mesquite Power, Wildlife For Tomorrow Foundation and Luke Air Force Base, is what makes the Festival happen.
From central Phoenix, Estrella Mountain Regional Park is reached by taking I-10 west to Estrella Parkway. Take the parkway south to Vineyard Ave., and then turn left to the park entrance on the right side.
For more information, call (623) 932-2260.
Estrella Mountain Regional Park, one of Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department's crown jewels, has agreed to host the seventh annual event due to heavy rainstorm-related runoff rendering the familiar location near Phoenix International Raceway unusable.
Located south of Goodyear, Estrella Mountain Park was the site of the Festival during the early years and park supervisor Carolyn Mayberry has been most gracious in accommodating the 2010 event, which will again feature free admission along with a $2 per vehicle parking fee, courtesy of the Park.
The relocation aside, longtime Festival fans, as well as first timers, will continue to enjoy all the Festival has to offer, including great music from the Back Porch Bandits, canoeing, hiking, bird watching, kids' fishing and nature areas, educational and entertaining booths, plus quality food and drink booths.
"We regret have to move the Festival at this late date, but our preferred site was not conducive to hosting a safe and comfortable venue for this great event," said Tom Hildebrandt of the Arizona Game and Fish Department, chairman of the Tres Rios steering committee.
Generous support from a variety of sponsors, including Arizona Public Service, Arizona Game and Fish Department, City of Avondale, Mesquite Power, Wildlife For Tomorrow Foundation and Luke Air Force Base, is what makes the Festival happen.
From central Phoenix, Estrella Mountain Regional Park is reached by taking I-10 west to Estrella Parkway. Take the parkway south to Vineyard Ave., and then turn left to the park entrance on the right side.
For more information, call (623) 932-2260.
January 27, 2010
Volunteers Sought for Spring Cleaning Down on the River - Feb. 20
Come help preserve the heritage, wildlife and natural beauty of the Gila, Salt and Agua Fria Rivers. It’s "Spring Cleaning" time down on the Tres Rios River on Saturday, February 20. The City of Avondale, Arizona Game and Fish, City of Goodyear, The Maricopa County Attorneys Office and Wildlife for Tomorrow Foundation will host a clean up of the river banks in preparation for the Tres Rios Nature & Earth Festival*.
Volunteers need to bring gloves, sunscreen, sun glasses, hat, wear old work clothes and to dress for the weather, please bring plenty of water to drink! Clean up begins at 7 a.m. and should last until about 11 a.m. River clean up volunteers are asked to meet at the northern-most parking lot of the Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, five miles south of I-10 on Avondale Boulevard (7602 S. Avondale Blvd., Avondale, AZ 85323).
For more information or to register your group, please call Avondale Recreation Services at 623-333-2416 or email cunderhill@avondale.org . For directions go to: www.tresriosnaturefestival.com/directions.htm
*The Tres Rios Nature & Earth Festival celebrates the rivers, wildlife, outdoors, history and heritage of the area and Arizona. Event dates are March 6 & 7, festival hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. www.tresriosnaturefestival.com”
January 10, 2010
Tres Rios Festival A Big Hit With Kids
The Tres Rios Nature and Earth Festival is more than an opportunity for adults to celebrate the rich heritage of the Gila, Salt and Agua Fria rivers. It is an outdoor wonderland for the kids. A perfect opportunity to get them out of the house and into the outdoors.
And how can you miss with such great opportunities on tap during the two-day event set for March 6-7 along the Gila River south of a Avondale near Phoenix International Raceway. Think about paddling a canoe, hiking, watching birds, free fishing and a great Kid's Zone where they can take a short nature trail, view wildlife artifacts, make crafts and do other fun stuff.
And don't forget about some great food, so bring an appetite, and enjoy some real traditional bluegrass music performed by the popular Back Porch Bandits.
Courtney Bourland of Goodyear is one satisfied customer. Here is what she said in an unsolicited email:
"I just want to give a huge thank you to all the people that put on the Tres Rios Nature and Earth Festival! My sons, ages 5 and 8, had a blast. They fished, made walking sticks, molded animal footprints, went on a scavenger hunt, bird watched, etc. They even enjoyed looking at the booths and talking to the very informative people manning the booths. Thank you for making this event free and fun!"
Thank you, Courtney. Spread the word and we'll see all of you on March 6-7.
DeWayne Smith
And how can you miss with such great opportunities on tap during the two-day event set for March 6-7 along the Gila River south of a Avondale near Phoenix International Raceway. Think about paddling a canoe, hiking, watching birds, free fishing and a great Kid's Zone where they can take a short nature trail, view wildlife artifacts, make crafts and do other fun stuff.
And don't forget about some great food, so bring an appetite, and enjoy some real traditional bluegrass music performed by the popular Back Porch Bandits.
Courtney Bourland of Goodyear is one satisfied customer. Here is what she said in an unsolicited email:
"I just want to give a huge thank you to all the people that put on the Tres Rios Nature and Earth Festival! My sons, ages 5 and 8, had a blast. They fished, made walking sticks, molded animal footprints, went on a scavenger hunt, bird watched, etc. They even enjoyed looking at the booths and talking to the very informative people manning the booths. Thank you for making this event free and fun!"
Thank you, Courtney. Spread the word and we'll see all of you on March 6-7.
DeWayne Smith
November 19, 2009
Protection Upcoming For Tres Rios Area
Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas recently called for an increased law enforcement presence in the Tres Rios riparian area, which encompases the 200-acre Base and Meridian Wildlife Area, to combat numerous illegal activities near the confluence of the Salt, Gila and Agua Fria rivers west of Phoenix.
Thomas said he decided to provide leadership and coordinate agencies to bring the area, site of the annual Tres Rios Nature and Earth Festival, back to ecological health after reading in the local media about numerous illegal activities in the area.
"Lately. . .the Tres Rios refuge has become a dumping ground for transients, for smugglers of drugs and humans and other criminal offenders," said Thomas. "They leave behind trash that has choked the riparian habitat, including tires, abandoned cars and cattle carcasses. In addition, illegal fish, poaching and weapons violations are commonplace."
Thomas' office prepared a procedure to ensure investigation and prosecution of crimes that occur in the Tres Rios area. Meanwhile, Avondale Assistant Police Chief Lynn Parkin said police are stepping up patrols and undergoing training to enforce laws. Other agencies involved include the Goodyear Police Department, Arizona Game and Fish Department and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.
Rod Lucas, Game and Fish Department Region VI supervsior, said his agency will coordinate clean-up efforts and welcomes volunteers. Individuals wanting to help should contact Les Bell at 602-942-3000 or go to http://www.azgfd.gov/ and click on "Inside AZGFD" on the menu on the left.
Thomas said he decided to provide leadership and coordinate agencies to bring the area, site of the annual Tres Rios Nature and Earth Festival, back to ecological health after reading in the local media about numerous illegal activities in the area.
"Lately. . .the Tres Rios refuge has become a dumping ground for transients, for smugglers of drugs and humans and other criminal offenders," said Thomas. "They leave behind trash that has choked the riparian habitat, including tires, abandoned cars and cattle carcasses. In addition, illegal fish, poaching and weapons violations are commonplace."
Thomas' office prepared a procedure to ensure investigation and prosecution of crimes that occur in the Tres Rios area. Meanwhile, Avondale Assistant Police Chief Lynn Parkin said police are stepping up patrols and undergoing training to enforce laws. Other agencies involved include the Goodyear Police Department, Arizona Game and Fish Department and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.
Rod Lucas, Game and Fish Department Region VI supervsior, said his agency will coordinate clean-up efforts and welcomes volunteers. Individuals wanting to help should contact Les Bell at 602-942-3000 or go to http://www.azgfd.gov/ and click on "Inside AZGFD" on the menu on the left.
November 6, 2009
November 5, 2009
Date Set for 2010!
The Tres Rios Nature Festival has been set for March 6-7, 2010. Save the date for this annual two-day outdoor event celebrating the rich heritage, ecology, history and wildlife of the Gila, Salt and Agua Fria Rivers! It is a great opportunity for the whole family to enjoy a beautiful spring day in Arizona and learn something about the place we call home.
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