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Astronomers set up their telescopes at a recent Star Party at the Oracle State Park.
A day-into-night celebration is set at Oracle State Park Center for Environmental Education on Saturday, March 21, to honor its designation as an International Dark Sky Park — only the 20th park in the world and the first state park in Arizona.
Extended hours for this “Dancing with the Stars” event at the Kannally ranch house and patios are 8AM to 10PM. Activities include an awards presentation at 4PM with officials of the International Dark-Sky Assn., local and state officials, and members of the Oracle Dark Skies Committee. Live music for listening and dancing will follow. Food will be available for sale, or visitors may bring their own lunch and beverages.
Representatives from regional organizations, among them Arizona Trail Assn., Lower San Pedro Watershed Alliance, Cascabel Conservation Assn., and Friends of Oracle State Park will welcome the public in the nearby group-use area from 1-6 p.m. with information tables.
The evening “star party,” with telescopes pointed at the skies and astronomers on hand to answer questions, begins at sundown.
The event is free with park admission at the gate on Mt. Lemmon Rd. in Oracle. Because this is a day-long event, carpooling is recommended to ease parking congestion.
Information about this and all other park events is available at www.azStateParks.com/Parks/ORAC or by calling the park office at 520-896-2425. Oracle State Park Center for Environmental Education is open Saturdays and Sundays 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., and weekdays by appointment.
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