Monday, March 2, 2009

Family Day At Mesa Grande This Saturday

Family Day at the Mesa Grande archaeological site is being held Saturday, March 7th, from 8 am to 11 am. The free event will give you the chance to tour this large prehistoric Hohokam temple mound, view prehistoric technology demonstrations and participate in ancient games at the third annual open house held at West 10th Street and Date/Brown, across from the former Banner Mesa Hospital. A free pancake breakfast, sponsored by the Mesa Grande Community Alliance, will be served from 8 am to 9:30 am.

“Mesa Grande is a unique treasure for the City and Family Day is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about what the Hohokam built and our efforts to preserve it,” Arizona Museum of Natural History Curator of Anthropology Dr. Jerry Howard said. The City of Mesa purchased the Mesa Grande ruins to preserve this cultural treasure with the goal of opening it to the public as an educational and recreational facility. Mesa Grande is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Family Day at Mesa Grande is sponsored by the Arizona Museum of Natural History, District 1 Councilmember Dave Richins, Southwest Archaeology Team, Mesa Grande Community Alliance and West Mesa Community Development Corporation.