Annual SCICON Barbecue set for April 15

The 58th annual SCICON Barbecue and Wildflower Festival will be held Sunday, April 15. The event is an opportunity for families and individuals of all ages to tour and enjoy the SCICON campus.

The festivities will begin at 11 a.m. and last until 4 p.m. The SCICON staff will be on hand to lead wildflower walks and nature hikes.

The SCICON planetarium, observatory and museum of natural history will be open all day, and wildlife shows will be presented in the SCICON raptor center.

Resource agencies, including Sequoia National Forest, California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and Tulare County Conservation Corps, will provide educational displays and activities. “Smokey the Bear” and special activities just for children will also be available.

Families visiting the SCICON Tree Nursery can receive a free seedling and learn about worm composting. Student entertainment will be continuous throughout the day. All visitors will receive a commemorative wildflower poster by local Springville artist, Frances Pyles. This year’s poster featuring the beautiful “Wild Iris” is suitable for framing.

Two thousand pounds of beef will simmer underground for 24 hours and will be served with the famous SCICON barbecue sauce as part of the lunch. Meal ticket donations are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors (60 and over) and $5 for children (12 and under.)

All proceeds from the meal will go to the “Friends of SCICON” to benefit the SCICON program. There is no charge to participate in the day’s activities.

“We appreciate the Friends of SCICON for coordinating this important event and for the support they provide the SCICON program,” says County Superintendent of Schools Jim Vidak. “We look forward to welcoming friends — old and new — to SCICON.”

SCICON is the outdoor school of science and conservation operated by Tulare County Office of Education. Each year, over 17,000 fifth- and sixth-grade students visit this 1,100-acre campus located in the foothills above Springville. The SCICON Barbecue and Wildflower Festival is sponsored by Tulare County Office of Education and the Friends of SCICON. For more information on the SCICON Barbecue, call 539-2642 or visit www. tcoe.org/scicon/news. shtm. For a map to the SCICON campus, visit www.tcoe.org/sciconmap.