If there is one thing to be said about Arizona, it's that we have plenty of trails to hike to better absorb the beauty surrounding us, despite being in such a dire drought for so long. It is only recently the higher elevations have been reopened for visitation, and many of those trails still remain closed, particularly in areas that have experienced catastrophic fires.

The Boogie Monster was a big hit with many riders at the Marana's Fall Heritage Festival at the Heritage House on Saturday. This year's festival celebrated the 235th anniversary of the journey of Juan Bautista de Anza through what is now Marana. Anza passed along the Santa Cruz River in October 1775. The National Park Service officially recognized Marana's portion of the Anza Trail during the event.

Marana's annual Fall Harvest Festival is this Saturday, Oct. 23, from 10 a.m. to sunset at Heritage House, 12375 N. Heritage Park Drive.

Steve Ross, representing the National Park Service, talks about the historical significance of the Anza Trail and its route through present-day Marana at the Fall Harvest Festival this Saturday.

Joe Myers is not your average history buff.

The Loop

TUCSON RODEO PARADE TROPHY WINNERS - 2012

The town of Marana is offering extra incentives during October for families to visit neighborhood parks. Two outdoor events will get people out to enjoy autumn’s refreshing drop in temperatures.

March 15, 2006 - Marana existed long before the town became incorporated in 1977.

n the north end of Continental Ranch where the tract homes of the Marana suburbs come to a halt, there's a small patch of desert where 228 years ago a group of weary travelers paused on a cool October night, a man was scourged, and a trail of history was left behind.

Fall harvest fest at river park Saturday

Aug. 18, 2004 - Construction is underway at Marana's Heritage Park, bringing it one step closer to reality. Once completed the park will allow people to view multiple cultural and artistic exhibits that reflect the history of Marana.

League, meets, state of town fills OV's September

Last week, Ora Mae Harn was called the "Matriarch of Marana," "The First Lady of Marana," and "a trailblazer, someone who embodies Marana."

Sept. 15, 2004 - About 1,000 years ago the Santa Cruz River Valley flood plain supported a thriving agricultural civilization. On the northwest edge of what is now Continental Ranch, the Hohokam Indians used canals to irrigate fields and developed a sedentary community with an extensive trade network.

For most of its course through the town of Marana, the Santa Cruz River is usually little more than sewage plant waste water trickling through a brown, cement-sided scar of a channel.

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OVPD to put on drug take-back events in 2010