Escape To The Springs Preserve In March 2014

LAS VEGAS - Feb. 25, 2014 - PRLog -- Hours of Operation

The Springs Preserve is observing winter hours daily from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., seven days a week until March 9 when we switch to spring/summer hours 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. We are closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day and hours vary for classes and special events. Gardens and trails close at 4 p.m. or dusk (whichever comes first).

EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

Mardi Gras Vegas

Laissez les bons temps rouler ("let the good times roll") as we celebrate Cajun and Creole cuisine, music and culture at our inaugural Mardi Gras Vegas! Featuring live music from local Dixieland jazz band Mardi Gras Mambo, food from local Southern eateries, a beverage lounge for the adults and activities including kids' crafts, fortune tellers and palm readers, the family-friendly Mardi Gras Vegas will bring the tastes and sounds of the Louisiana bayou and the colors and fun of Mardi Gras to the heart of the Southern Nevada desert. Mardi Gras Vegas is supported by the generous contributions of our sponsor Tommy Hilfiger. Saturday, March 1, 2014, 4 p.m.- 8 p.m. Tickets for this event are $8 for adults, children 5-12 are  $5, 4 and under are free.
Note: All sales in the beer garden will be cash-only..

Da Vinci Speaker - Caroline Cocciardi

Love our da Vinci exhibit? Explore exciting ideas about da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, the world’s most famous painting, with guest speaker Caroline Cocciardi. "Da Vinci's Knots—It’s All About the Dress" covers the artist’s fascination with knots that may be mathematical, not just decorative, and asks whether they unlock another secret da Vinci code. Saturday, March 8, 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. (lecture and guided exhibit tour)  $10 members, $15 non-members. Tickets are available at springspreserve.org.

Night at the Museum - Hugo

Join us for kids-only fun (ages 5-12) as we view the modern classic “Hugo” and make museum discoveries. We’ll also enjoy a pizza dinner, snacks, crafts and more. Saturday, March 15, 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. (preregister by March 14)  $20 members, $25 non-members. Tickets are available at springspreserve.org.

Run Away with Cirque du Soleil

Join dozens of artists from Cirque du Soleil's Las Vegas shows and more than 1,000 community members for a 5K run or 1-mile fun walk at Run Away with Cirque du Soleil at the Springs Preserve. Run/Walk features: all proceeds support the Cirque du Soleil and Springs Preserve Foundations; first 1,200 participants to sign up will receive an event t-shirt; all participants included in raffle for prizes; photo opportunities and music by cast and crew of Cirque duSoleil; massage therapy by the Milan Institute; face painting and circus fun play area; access to Springs Preserve museums and galleries with race bib.  Saturday, March 15, 2014, 7 a.m.- 12 p.m. Registration prices are $40 for 5K and $30 for 1-Mile Walk. Register online at active.com

Spring Plant Sale and Expo

More than 3,000 native and desert-adapted plant varieties will be available for purchase at our annual Spring Plant Sale and Day with the Experts! Plants will be sold in sizes ranging from 1- to 15-gallon containers. Springs Preserve Garden staff experts will be on hand to answer customer questions about how to care for their new plants, and lectures and workshops are scheduled in the Gardens Amphitheater every half-hour, beginning at 8:30 a.m. each day. Among the plants offered for sale will be species of Penstemon, Tecoma and many other great spring perennials. The sale will feature a sampling of "ready to go" cactus and succulent container gardens, perfect for home entryways or patios, and event partner Moon Sun Cactus and Koi Gardens will be on hand selling a wide variety of cactus and succulent plants. Hungry? Breakfast burritos, pastries and more will be available for purchase at the event. Guests are encouraged to bring their own wagons to transport purchases to their vehicles. This event is supported by the generous contributions of our sponsors:NV Energy and MGM Resorts International. March 29 - 30, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Springs Preserve members can take advantage of a special preview sale Saturday from 7 to 8 a.m. Admission to sale is free; regular admission prices apply for museums and galleries.

Ride the Trails - Train and Bike Rides

RIDE THE TRAIN: $3 members, $5 non-members. Narrated life-size locomotive ride around our historic 2.2 mile  Exploration Trail departs daily. Check onsite for times. BIKE THE TRAILS: $6 members, $8 non-members for 1-hour bike rental, helmet included. Electric bike rentals $10 for members, $12 for non-members. Weekends, last rental 1 hour before close. Personal bikes not permitted.

EXHIBITS, SHOWS AND DEMONSTRATIONS

Leonardo da Vinci: Machines in Motion

Experience genius in motion as you interact with 40 machines from the mind ofLeonardo da Vinci. These full-scale machines were built after detailed study of Leonardo da Vinci’s designs by a group of scientists and skilled craftsmen in Florence, Italy. The machines are grouped into four sections based upon applications linked to the elements--air, water, land and fire--which held a strong fascination for Leonardo da Vinci. Visitors may touch and set them in motion, creating a captivating hands-on experience with an exploration of the principles da Vinci utilized to create each machine. Machines include such visionary inventions as the helicopter and glider, the armored tank, the drive transmission, the printing press and the bicycle. The exhibit is on display daily through May 4, 2014. This exhibit is free for Springs Preserve members and included with general admission.

Nevada Watercolor Society Spring Show

Watercolors bring spring to life! This juried show features original artwork and promotes the region’s advancement of watermedia. Exhibit on display daily March 14 - May 10, 2014. This exhibit is free for Springs Preserve members and included with paidgeneral admission.

Mad Science MANIA live show

Mad Scientists are roaming the Springs Preserve! You’re invited into the “lab” for weird, wild and wonderful science fun in this live, interactive show. We’ve got NEW experiments and explosive antics every month! Two shows presented Saturdays and Sundays at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. through May 2014 inside the Big Springs Theater. Included with paid general admission.

Mad Science MANIA - Backstage Pass

Want more Mad Science MANIA? A Backstage Pass earns you a prime seat in the lab for extra-exclusive, up-close science adventures and free takeaways. Every young Einstein needs a spark! Saturdays and Sundays at noon and 2 p.m., following the live shows. Through May 2014 inside the Big Springs Theater.$10 members and non-members with paid general admission.