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FREDONIA, Ariz. — Travelers to the North Kaibab Ranger District are invited to experience the dark skies of the Kaibab Plateau during this year’s weeklong “Star Party” starting Saturday.

Hosted by the Kaibab Lodge, Kaibab National Forest and the Saguaro Astronomy Club, the free event will begin after dark each night June 9-16 at the Kaibab Lodge in Arizona, five miles north of the Grand Canyon North Rim boundary along state Route 67.

Astronomers from the Saguaro Astronomy Club will be on hand with telescopes to help visitors navigate the night sky each evening. The child-friendly event includes a lecture each evening around dinner time with discussions about light pollution and the planets.

On a clear summer night, you can see the Milky Way as a beautiful gossamer ribbon across the sky. Views of nebulae, planets and globular clusters will make for a memorable experience.

“In junior college back east, I took an astronomy class as the school had a planetarium,” said Ellen Winchester, Kaibab Lodge owner and event host. “On the last day of our class, the professor showed us what the night skies looked like from a mountaintop in Arizona. It was amazing; I had no idea all that was up there. All mouths dropped open. Now I live under that sky and would love to share it with you.”

Winchester will have triple chocolate star party cookies available to guests. Dubbed “Deep Dark Secrets on a Starry Night,” they will be available in regular and gluten-free varieties.

Guests are reminded to dress warmly. At nearly 8,700 feet in elevation, it still gets quite chilly at night – even during the summer. Guests using flashlights are reminded to use a red lens or red automotive tape over the top of the flashlight to ensure a clear view of the night sky for everyone.

For more information, call 928-638-2389 or visit Kaibab Lodge’s website.

Event details

What: 10th annual Star Party at Kaibab Lodge.

When: June 9-16, after dark.

Where: Kaibab Lodge, five miles north of the Grand Canyon North Rim boundary along state Route 67, Arizona.

Details: Free and open to the public.

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