Autumn Equinox Celebration

Join us in celebrating the Autumn Equinox!

Join us in celebrating the Autumn Equinox by attending these special events on Saturday, September 20, throughout the park! Normal Saturday scheduling still applies in addition to these specialty programs. 

 

Dickey Ridge (mile 4.6)

11:30 a.m.
Porch Talk - A 15-25 minute Ranger talk on nocturnal animals in the park and why they live and thrive in Shenandoah. Meet outside of Dickey Ridge Visitor Center.

1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Craft Table - An equinox and night sky focused craft booth. Meet outside of Dickey Ridge Visitor Center.

1:30 p.m.
Bear Talk - A 20-30 minute discussion on all things bears. Meet outside of Dickey Ridge Visitor Center.

2:00 p.m.
Young Naturalists - A 1-hour science based program with a focus on space! This program will include crafts and science activities. Meet outside of Dickey Ridge Visitor Center.

6:30 p.m.
Twilight Hike at Fox Hollow - A 1 to 1.5 hour guided hike focused on nocturnal animal adaptations in the park. Wear good shoes, bring water, and expect a 1.3 gental loop trail. Meet at Fox Hollow Trailhead across from the visitor center.

Mathews Arm (mile 22.2)

6:30 p.m.
Mathews Arm Evening Program - A 45-minute presenation focused on bears and snakes. Meet at Mathews Arm Amphitheater.

8:30 p.m.
Mathews Arm Star Party - A 45-minute presentation on various night sky topics with a special focus on the equinox, eclipses, orbits, and solstices. Look forward to telescope viewing if weather permits. Dress warm! Meet at the Mathew Arms parking lot just beyond the fee station.

 

Big Meadows (mile 51)

11:30 a.m.
Animals of the Night - A 20-30 minute talk on animals that are diurnal, nocturnal, and crepuscular with a special focus on bears. Meet at the Byrd Visitor Center porch.

1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Craft Booth - An equinox and night sky focused craft booth. Meet at the Byrd Visitor Center porch.

1:30 p.m.
Porch Talk: Telescopes - A 15-25 minute talk on telescopes, lenses, and all things optics. Meet at the Byrd Visitor Center porch.

2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Solar Viewing - A solar viewing with one of our telescopes containing a special solar lens! Meet at Byrd Visitor Center.

2:30 p.m.
Young Naturalists - A 1 to 1.5 hours kids-based program focused on autumn foliage, the outdoors, and crafts. Meet in front of Byrd Visitor Center.

3:30 p.m.
Porch Talk: Equinoxes and Eclipses - A 15-25 minute talk on why we experience seasonal changes and equinoxes, as well as discussion on eclipses and what they are. Meet at the Byrd Visitor Center porch.

5:30 p.m.
Twilight Meadow Walk - A 1 to 1.5 hour twilight walk focused on nocturnal animals, the five senses, and flora and fauna. Meet in front of Byrd Visitor Center.

7:30 p.m.
Big Meadows Evening Program - A 45-minute presentation on the equinox as a time of reflection and storytelling with a focus on Appalachian myths and folklore. Meet at the Big Meadows Amphitheater.

8:30 p.m.
Big Meadows Star Party - A 45-minute night sky presentation on various night sky topics with a special focus on the equinox, eclipses, orbits, and solstices. Look forward to telescope viewing if weather permits, and dress warm! Meet at Rapidan Fire Road.

Loft Mountain (mile 79.5)

7:30 p.m.
Loft Mountain Evening Program - A 45-minute presentation on night sky objects such as the moon and how they can impact us here on Earth. Meet at Loft Mountain Amphitheater.