March Activities Abound At Oracle State Park

March activities at Oracle State Park Center for Environmental Education opened with a special-event Star Party featuring live music, kids activities, and night sky star viewing on Saturday, March 5. This event celebrated the park's designation as an International Dark Sky Park.

Oracle State Park is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday. Visitors can bring their own lunch and beverages to enjoy on the ranch-house patios or park picnic areas. Full Oracle State Park event information is always posted on the Web site at AZStateParks.com/parks/ORAC. Park admission is $7 per car at the main gate on Mt. Lemmon Rd. in Oracle and activities are included with park admission.

Other March activities include these popular events:

• Sunday, March 6 at 12: 30 p.m.: The popular "Bighorn Basics" program with AZ State Parks volunteer Richard Boyer. Reservation preferred.

• Sunday, March 13 at Noon: Mineralogy talk with Wolfgang Mueller, mineralogist. He'll include information on rocks associated with regional mining operations and lapidary uses. Reservation is suggested by calling (520) 896-2425.

• Saturday, March 19 at 8 a.m.: Six-mile guided hike with Gaston Meloche. Hike includes the Wildlife Corridor Trail, National Scenic Arizona Trail, and ManzanitaTrail. Reservation is required:VHC.Gaston@gmail.com or (520) 638-5404 no later than 4 p.m. the day before the hike.

• Saturday, March 26 at 1 p.m.: "Wildlife in the Santa Catalina Mountains" presentation by the Sky Island Alliance begins in the Kannally Ranch House. Reservation is suggested by calling (520) 896-2425.

• Sunday, March 27 at 1 p.m.: Tohono O'odham basketweaving demonstration on the ranch house patio as part of Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Awareness Month. Elizabeth of the Tohono O'odham Nation will do a weaving project to show basket-making techniques. This free program is made possible with the support of Friends of Oracle State Park.