SAVE THE DATE!
Where: Cedarville, CA
When: August 2nd and 3rd
Join Friends of Nevada Wilderness, the BLM Applegate District, Nevada Humanities, and the Modoc County Outdoor Recreation and Tourism for a family-friendly weekend filled with fun activities and unbelievable stargazing!
August 2nd
Amateur Telescope Night at the Fairgrounds: 8:30pm
We hope you will bring your telescope, binoculars, star chart, or simple appreciation for darkness, as we gather to spend some time staring at the stars. This will be an informal astronomy night, where folks are welcome to set up gear or simply come to look up at the night sky to spot some stars and constellations, and maybe a meteor or two!
August 3rd
Cedarville City Park: 10am-1pm
Embark on a celestial adventure with us! Peer through a solar telescope to glimpse our star up close, delve into captivating astronomy insights during a lively talk, and unleash your creativity with hands-on arts and crafts in the park. Join the passionate Friends of Nevada Wilderness staff and the Astronomical Society of Nevada for an unforgettable morning of discovery and fun!
333 Family Farm: 2pm-4pm
Address: 282 S Lake St, Lake City CA *No Dogs Please, this is a working ranch*
2:00pm: Journey into the world of imagination with Sophie Sheppard, local author and illustrator of The Moon's Tear: A Desert Night's Dream. Nevada Humanities and its Nevada Center for the Book have selected The Moon's Tear to represent Nevada and the importance of dark, starry skies at the 2024 Library of Congress National Book Festival
2:30pm: Explore how dark skies and conservation are inextricably tied: Join a captivating Dark Sky Conservation Talk and then follow along for an engaging Regenerative Agriculture Tour of 333 Family Farm.
Country Hearth Restaurant: 5-7pm
5pm: Discover the secrets behind capturing stunning dark sky images and ignite your passion for astrophotography with FNW resident photographer Kurt Kuznicki's captivating Astrophotography Talk hosted in the garden at the cozy Country Hearth.
6pm: Stick around for dinner and test your knowledge about the stars during Dark Sky trivia.
Modoc County Fairgrounds: 7:30pm-12am:
7:30pm-12am: Dive into the wonders of the night sky! Peruse informational posters and kids' activities as daylight fades, leading into a stargazing party with telescopes and astronomers from local astronomy groups at the Modoc County Fairgrounds.
10pm-11pm: Capture the universe through the lens in an Intro to Astrophotography class led by Kurt Kuznicki. Participants will need their own camera and a basic understanding of how to use the camera in manual mode, a headlamp, and a tripod.
In partnership with: Bureau of Land Management Applegate Field Office, Nevada Humanities and Sophie Sheppard, Modoc County Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, Astronomical Society of Nevada
Please visit our Massacre Rim WSA and Dark Sky Sanctuary page for more information on the Sanctuary and places to stay in the Surprise Valley Area. We encourage you to make accommodations before you arrive, as lodging is limited in the valley and fills up quickly. Camping and RV hookups will be available on a first-come first-serve basis at the Modoc County Fairgrounds.
Citizen astronomers are welcome! Bring your telescope, your knowledge of the night sky, and your enthusiasm to teach... and learn!