On Saturday, Feb. 21, you can head out to Fredericksburg to attend a special event at Enchanted Rock.  Enchanted Rock State Natural Area has been designated by the International Dark Sky Association as a Gold Tier International Dark Sky Park, and to celebrate, they are hosting the Enchanted Rock Star Festival. This will be a full day event that begins with a sunrise program and ends with a Star Party chock full of telescopes and a constellation tour by McDonald Observatory’s own Bill Wren. Throughout the day there will be free activities for children.

–Schedule:

The day starts at 7 a.m. on the summit of Enchanted Rock with a moment of reflection and gratitude. At noon, the following festivities & activities begin.

In the Big Tent:

• 12 pm – Dark Sky Photography “How To” with Rob Greebon Photography
• 1 pm – Kids Bat Presentation & Puppet Show w/ Texas Parks and Wildlife’s own Nyta Brown from the Old Bat Tunnel & Craig Hensley from  Guadalupe River State Park
• 2 pm – Kids Owl Presentation w/ TPWD’s Craig Hensley
• 3 pm –  International Dark Sky Park Dedication Ceremony followed by “Better Lights for Starry Nights” w/ Bill Wren, McDonald Observatory’s “Ambassador of Dark Skies”
• 4:30 pm – Astrophotography w/Ken Kattner, Putman Mountain Observatory
• 5:30 pm – Winter Constellations and Star Charts Chris Keating, Mason Astronomy Group Professor of Physics & Astronomy

Outside of the tent:

• 5:30 pm – “Sundown Yoga at the Summit” w/Patty Williamson, Lizard Dreaming Yoga
• 6 pm – Storytelling around the campfire w/ Ira Kennedy. Campfire tunes with Marshall Adams
• 7 pm – Constellation Tour w/Bill Wren and Ken Kattner.
• 8-10 pm – STAR PARTY!!!!. Telescope viewing with area astronomy groups.
• :30 pm – “Moon-less” Walk to the summit w/Ranger Scott Whitener

Around the Grounds Through the Day:

• Star Stations — hands-on astronomy activities for kids of all ages
• Kent Rylander “What’s In The Puddle” vernal pool residents under microscope exhibit
• Delmar Cain “Moths in the Light” moth exhibit.
• Peter Van Bavel,“Galaxies of the Winter Sky” at Star Party
• Biedermann’s Fredericksburg Ace Hardware Dark Sky Lighting display
• International Dark Sky Association Dark Sky display
• Silent Auction w/ Whole Earth Provision Co Celestron Cosmos 90GT telescope and more!
• Kids Blacklight Face Painting & Juggling with Moonshine the Magician

–> Food & Entertainment:
Bring cash food that will be available for purchase such as sandwiches, frozen yogurt, pizzas and more. You can also enjoy live music performances throughout the day.

–> What to Bring: 

• Folding Chairs and/or blankets.
• Red LED lights for night time.  (Use these to avoid any lighting disturbances during astronomical viewing),
• BYOT (Bring your own Telescope). The more telescopes, the merrier!
• **Do NOT bring:  Large Lanterns or spotlights for the nighttime viewing.  There will be plenty of volunteers and others to help guide the way.
• Please note that large sections of the parking lot by the viewing area will be closed after 4 p.m. to keep headlights from disturbing the night programming.

–> Admission:
Entrance to Enchanted Rock State Natural Area is $7 for visitors age 13 and up; kids 12 and under are free. The Enchanted Rock Star Party is free with regular entrance admission.

For more information about visiting Enchanted Rock, please visit the Texas Parks & Wildlife website.