The traditional Ogallala Commons Playa Tour held in conjunction with the Nazareth German Fest is set for the morning of Saturday, July 8, from 9 am to 11 am.

Participants will gather at the Home Mercantile building in Nazareth at the corner of Second and Leo Streets to get organized at 8:45 am, then will drive three-quarters of a mile south on FM 168 to the Playa Classroom adjacent to the highway. 

Activities will begin with a short presentation by speakers and participants will then divide into small groups to explore and identify an abundance of wetland plants in and around the playa basin at the site. 

There is no registration fee for the Playa Tour, but participants are asked to contact Darryl Birkenfeld, deputy director of Ogallala Commons, by emailing or by phone at darryl@ogallalacommons.org or 806-945-2255 in order to facilitate preparations.

The long-range forecast predicts 93 degrees for the high on July 8, and a cool morning. 

After the Playa Tour adjourns, attendees can make their way to the Nazareth German Fest sausage dinner at the Nazareth Community Hall, served from 11 am to 2 pm.  

Following the sausage dinner, participants can attend the live music at Paige’s Beer Garden, or a small informal tour to see some large playas that can be enjoyed from the side of the road may be organized. There are several wet playas in any direction participants choose to drive from Nazareth.