Head to Southern Arizona For The Annual Mariachi Festival

(Phoenix, AZ - May 2, 2014) - Make plans to head south for the sounds of traditional and modern Mexican Mariachi Band music. Patagonia Lake State Park will host the 18th Annual Mariachi Festival at Boulder Beach on Saturday, May 17, 2014 (see full lineup below) which is also Kids to Parks Day.

The Mariachi Festival's activities will include a wide variety of Southern Arizona Mariachi bands and dancers on stage. There will also be authentic Mexican food, hot dogs, hamburgers, kettle corn and shaved ice. Visitors may also bring their own picnic basket and there will be a piñata for the kids! Don't forget to bring: plenty of water, lawn chair, sunscreen and hat. Patagonia Lake State Park also offers camping, fishing, birding, swimming, boat rentals and nature walks.

Schedule

10 a.m.: Mariachi Nuevo De Nogales (Band)

11 a.m.: Nogales High School Mariachi Apaches (Band)

Noon: Ballet Folklorico De Arizona (Dancers)

1 p.m.: Mariachi Alegre (Band)

2 p.m.: Mariachi Aztlan de Pueblo High (Band)

3 p.m.: Sonido De Mexico Mariachi (Band)

Patagonia Lake State Park will have overflow parking available and a shuttle service to the event area. Visitors should arrive early for best parking. The fee to enter Patagonia Lake State Park is $15 per vehicle for up to four adults (fee per additional adult is $3), the fee for walk-in visitors is $3. The Park Entrance Station opens at 7 a.m. The park is located 7 miles past the town of Patagonia, Arizona. Take I-10 East to Hwy 83 South to Hwy 82. For more information contact Patagonia Lake State Park at (520) 287-6965 or visit AZStateParks.com/parks/PALA.

Electric campsites are available for $25 per night and non-electric campsites are available for $17 per night. Make a reservation to ensure a campsite; campsite reservations can be made online at AZStateParks.com or by calling the Reservation Call Center at (520) 586-2283 open, which is open 7 days a week, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. MST.

Celebrate Kids to Parks Day on May 17, 2014 as proclaimed by Governor Janice K. Brewer. Kids to Parks Day empowers kids and encourages families to get outdoors and visit parks. It is important to introduce a new generation to our parks and encourage them to lead more active lifestyles to combat the issues of childhood obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. Kids to Parks Day is open to all children and adults across the country to encourage a large and diverse group of participants.

For information about all 27 Arizona State Parks, the Trails and Off-Highway Vehicle Programs and State Historic Preservation Office call (602) 542-4174 (outside of the Phoenix metro area call toll-free (800) 285-3703). Campsite reservations can be made online at AZStateParks.com or by calling the Reservation Call Center at (520) 586-2283. Open 7 days a week, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. MST. Follow AZStateParks on Twitter and Facebook.