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Cave Fest

February 9 through February 10
Kartchner Caverns State P ark
Benson

Explore the Science of Kartchner Caverns State Park at Cave Fest February 9-10, 2013

Kartchner Caverns State Park will hold the annual "Cave Fest" event on Saturday and Sunday, February 9 and 10, 2013 from 10am to 4pm. The park will have hour-by-hour activities and displays (see below) and cave tours but cave tours should be reserved in advance.

Some of the activities and displays will include live animal displays, children's activities and crafts, mining history display, caving equipment display, speleothem (cave formation display) and a book signing in the Gift Shop by children's book author, Conrad Storad.
There are two guided tours inside the cave at Kartchner Caverns. The Rotunda/Throne Room Tour is half of a mile in length and takes approximately an hour and a half to complete. The Big Room Tour is available from mid-October to mid-April. It is half of a mile long and takes an hour and 45 minutes to complete. Note: Big Room Tours are not available for children younger than 7 years of age.

The Discovery Center facility contains exhibits on cave formations, cave life, hydrology and history. In the Tenen-Tufts Theater, a video presentation (15 minutes long) plays twice an hour. The program highlights the discovery aspect of the cave. The Gift Shop offers a wide array of cave related and southwestern themed souvenirs, gifts and practical items to meet the needs of travelers. The Bat Cave Cafe is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. for dining while at the Park. There are hiking trails for the beginner to advanced hiker and a large, modern campground adjacent to the Whetstone Mountains.

Reservations for camping or cave tours can be made 24-hours a day at AZStateParks.com or by calling (520) 586-2283 between 8am and 5pm (Mountain Standard Time) seven days per week. Reservations are highly recommended for all cave tours. Cave Tour tickets must be picked up AT LEAST 1 hour prior to your scheduled tour time. Kartchner Caverns State Park is located on Highway 90, nine miles south of I-10 near Benson, Arizona.

CAVE FEST FACT SHEET

Presentations in the Tenen-Tufts Theater:
Cave Development at 10am (on Saturday only); Astronomy/Star Night at 11am (both days); Bats at Noon and 2pm (on Saturday) and 1pm (on Sunday); Mammals at Noon (on Sunday) and 1pm (on Saturday); Caving Safely at 2pm (on Sunday) and 3pm (on Saturday); and Hummingbirds at 4pm(both days).

Live Animal Displays from 10am to 4pm both days:
Reptiles with Tom Miscione and Birds with Liberty Wildlife.

Booths/Activities from 10am to 4pm both days:
Children's activities/crafts; Mining history display; Caving equipment display; and Speleothem (cave formation display).

Book signing:  Conrad Storad, children's book author, in the Gift Shop.

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), visit the website and online camping reservations at AZStateParks.com, Twitter/Facebook AZStateParks.

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