April 10, 2012 > Spring Wildflower Festival Spring Wildflower Festival Submitted By Isa Polt-Jones Mother Nature reserves some of her best finery for springtime. As our corner of the earth returns to longer and warmer days, plants that have waited for the annual signal to blossom are doing their best to dazzle observers. Each spring, Sunol Regional Wilderness shows its appreciation for Nature's efforts by inviting everyone to visit this rustic setting during the Spring Wildflower Festival. In its ninth year, the festival will be held Saturday, April 14 near the Old Green Barn Visitor Center. Anyone with an interest in wildflowers or nature is encouraged to attend - there is something for all ages and abilities. Interpretive staff will provide fun and easy ways to identify wildflowers and the best places and times to see different varieties. Nature slide shows, exhibits, and hikes of various lengths and subjects will be offered throughout the day. Hikes range from kid-friendly, seniors, tots in strollers, butterflies, and ethnobotany, to longer flower hikes to Little Yosemite and its famed waterfalls. Activities also include arts and crafts, face painting, henna body art, slideshows and music. There are no food concessions in the park so visitors should bring a lunch and enjoy a picnic in the great outdoors. Spring Wildflower Festival Saturday, Apr 14 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunol Regional Wilderness Old Green Barn Visitor Center, Sunol (888) 327-2757 www.ebparks.org Free ($5 parking fee) Shuttle service is available once parking lots are full, but carpooling is encouraged Directions: From the Fremont area: Drive north on I-680 and exit at Calaveras Road. Turn right on Calaveras and proceed four miles. Turn left on Geary Road, which leads two miles directly into the park. From the Oakland / Berkeley area: Drive east on I-580 to the junction with I-680 in Pleasanton. At the junction, go south on I-680 and exit at Calaveras Road/Highway 84 south of the town of Pleasanton. Turn left onto Calaveras Road and proceed four miles to Geary Road on the left, which leads two miles directly into the park. A schedule of hikes is available at: http://www.ebparks.org/news/031912a