News Release

Celebrate the Dark Night Sky at Heritage Starfest on October 4 to 7, 2018

Date: September 25, 2018
Contact: Visitor Center, 435-425-3791

Capitol Reef National Park and the Entrada Institute are partnering to present the 9^th annual Heritage Starfest. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn more about dark skies. Events include special guest speakers, solar viewing, and star gazing with multiple telescopes.  The dark skies of Wayne County and Capitol Reef are among the darkest in the nation allowing visitors from around the world to enjoy pristine skies full of planets, constellations, and the Milky Way. This event celebrates dark sky resources. Bring a red headlamp or flashlight and dress warm for all evening events.

Thursday, October 4 - Torrey, UT

• 7:15 pm to 10:00 pm. Celebrate Torrey Town’s Dark Sky designation with refreshments and star gazing. Red Sands Hotel, Torrey, UT.

Friday, October 5 - Capitol Reef National Park, UT

• 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm. Solar viewing. Capitol Reef National Park Visitor Center.
• 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Evening program with Cedar Breaks Park Ranger Zachary Schierl. Campground amphitheater.
• 8:30 pm to 10:00 pm. Star gazing with local and regional astronomers. Campground amphitheater parking lot.

Saturday, October 6 - throughout Wayne County, UT

• 11:00 am to 4:30 pm. Solar viewing. Capitol Reef National Park Visitor Center.
• 7:00 pm. Astronomy Trivia for kids with door prizes. Robbers Roost Bookstore, Torrey, UT.
• 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Evening program with Cedar Breaks Park Ranger Zachary Schierl. Robbers Roost Bookstore, Torrey, UT.
• 8:30 pm to 10:00 pm. Star gazing. Robbers Roost Bookstore, Torrey, UT.

• 9:30 pm until late. Citizen Science night sky monitoring project. Teasdale, UT. Check http://facebook.com/heritagestarfest/ for specific time and location. Date may change due to weather.

Sunday, October 7 - Capitol Reef National Park, UT

• 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Night Sky Photography evening program and workshop with Greg Owens. Campground amphitheater. Bring a camera and tripod.

All events are free and open to the public. Learn about the Entrada Institute and the Heritage Starfest at www.entradainstitute.org. Visit www.ida.org to learn about the International Dark Sky Association. Information about Capitol Reef National Park can be found at www.nps.gov/care.