PHOENIX -  After several weekends of rain, people in the Phoenix area can get out and enjoy the outdoors in predicted sunny weather this weekend at the 2005 APS Tres Rios Nature Festival. The festival celebrates the wildlife, history, and heritage of the West Valley in a beautiful area where the Salt, Gila, and Agua Fria rivers come together.

"This is a wonderful chance for families to spend some time together in the outdoors," says Heidi Vasiloff, APS Tres Rios Nature Festival coordinator. "The festival includes a great opportunity to get an up-close look at wildlife, plus more than 40 educational exhibits, a world class speaker series sponsored by Mesquite Power, a free fishing clinic by the Arizona Game and Fish Department, free shuttle buses to two of the Valley's best bird watching spots, food, entertainment, a children's area sponsored by 'The Arizona Republic,' and more."

Thousands of people enjoyed last year's inaugural Tres Rios Nature Festival. This year's event will be held on Saturday, March 12 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, March 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nature lovers should head to Estrella Mountain Regional Park at 14805 W. Vineyard Ave. in Goodyear. The price of admission is $10 per carload of people.

"Visitors will have a chance to hike, see the amazing wildflowers from our recent rains, go bird watching, make crafts, ride on a hay wagon, and enjoy many other activities," says Vasiloff.

The event is also a tribute to U.S. troops. Military families will receive a discounted admission of $8 per car. In addition, two members of the festival's steering committee, Jackie and Verlyne Meck, are providing free admission to 200 families of soldiers who have recently deployed and/or recently returned from overseas. The passes are being given out to the troops by the Family Readiness Program at Luke Air Force Base.

"Another community supporter, Jim Donley of Donley Service Center, is sponsoring admission and T-shirts for families from a local shelter," says Vasiloff. "It's exciting and rewarding to work with people who believe in supporting those in need and those who serve."

The city of Phoenix will provide free continuous shuttle bus service from the park to the city's Tres Rios Demonstration Area. Shuttle buses will also go to the Arizona Game and Fish Department's B&M Wildlife Area in Avondale. Both of these areas are great for wildlife watching. B&M is also next to "Monument Hill," the point of reference from which most land in Arizona is surveyed. Hikers can walk up to see the historic marker.

The APS Tres Rios Nature Festival is sponsored by Arizona Public Service, Mesquite Power, Arizona Game and Fish Department, Wildlife for Tomorrow Foundation, Estrella Mountain Regional Park, the city of Avondale, the city of Buckeye, the city of Goodyear, the city of Phoenix, Maricopa County Audubon Society, Sonoran Audubon Society, Buckeye Water and Irrigation District, The Arizona Republic, Rupp Aerial Photography, and W.C. Scoutten, Inc. For more information about the festival, call (623) 204-2130, e-mail tresriosfestival@cox.net, or go the Web site tresriosnaturefestival.com.