Let鈥檚 face it鈥攆estivals can get a little pricey and with event tickets ranging from $15-$200, the Jasper Dark Sky Festival is no exception.
Celebrating its sixth year, the festival was created to celebrate Jasper National Park鈥檚 designation as a dark sky preserve by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada in 2011.
Since that time, the festival has grown into a huge event, stretching over two weeks, running from Oct. 14-23.
From sold-out shows with popular T.V. host Bill Nye and Star Trek star George Takei to guided night walks along the Glacier Skywalk and one-of-a-kind trips up the Skytram, this year鈥檚 festival is guaranteed to be a memorable time, but for those of us that don鈥檛 want to break the bank, there鈥檚 still plenty of free things to do.
To help you make the most of the Dark Sky Festival, the 51暗网 has compiled a local鈥檚 guide to free events over the next two weeks. Here鈥檚 what we found.
Stargazing and stories
Friday, Oct. 14. 鈥� 8 p.m.-10 p.m.
Marmot Meadows 鈥� Free
If you weren鈥檛 able to catch a chat with Bill Nye then head out to Marmot Meadows to kick off your festival experience.
Join Parks Canada interpreters with their array of laser pointers and telescopes for a fun introduction to Jasper鈥檚 night sky. Then wind down the evening by the campfire, enjoy a cup of tea and indulge in stories inspired by the stars.
Dark sky after-party
Friday, Oct. 14. & Friday, Oct. 21 鈥� 10 p.m. - 12 a.m.
Mountain Galleries (Fairmont JPL) 鈥� Free
Don鈥檛 let the night end there; Jasper鈥檚 Mountain Galleries is keeping the party going on Friday night with a dark sky after-party. Partygoers are invited to tour around the gallery, where a special dark sky exhibit will be on display.
Along with exploring the art world, guests will also be able to meet some of Jasper鈥檚 finest artists. Event organizers have also extended the invite to some of the festival鈥檚 stars and VIPs including Bill Nye and George Takei.
鈥淭his is our salute to the festival and we hope people can come out and hopefully meet some of the festival鈥檚 celebrities,鈥� organizer Wendy Wacko said.
Complimentary nightcaps will also be served.
Space is limited to 80 guests. To RSVP call 780-852-5378 or email [email protected].
This same event will also be held Friday, Oct. 22 at the same time.
Chat with a Canadian astronaut
Saturday, Oct. 15 鈥� 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Centennial Field 鈥� $15
Spend Saturday morning with Canadian Astronaut, Jeremy Hansen, as he discusses space exploration, astronomy and following your dreams.
Hansen currently works as CAPCOM, providing the voice between the ground and the International Space Station at NASA鈥檚 mission control.
Why dark skies matter
Saturday, Oct. 15 鈥� 1 p.m. 鈥� Centennial Field 鈥� Free
Jasper National Park is one of the world鈥檚 largest designated dark sky preserves, but just what does it take to maintain this status? How does it benefit visitors, wildlife and residents?
Join Parks Canada interpreters for a special presentation to find out the answers to these questions and more.
DiscoverE Workshop
Saturday, Oct. 15 鈥� 1 p.m.- 3 p.m.
Centennial Field 鈥� Free
DiscoverE is a student-delivered initiative from University of Alberta鈥檚 faculty of engineering. The group will make the trek to Jasper to host an afternoon of fun and engaging science, engineering and technology activities for youth. Come see exciting experiments, interesting demonstrations and even learn how to program a robot using nothing but crayons.
Stargazing with Parks Canada
Saturday, Oct. 15 鈥� 8 p.m.
Visitor Information Centre Lawn 鈥� Free
Join Parks Canada interpreters for an evening of viewing celestial forms through binoculars and telescopes. Or opt to bring out your own telescope and swap ideas about sky exploration.
Big Bang Expo
Friday, Oct. 21. 鈥� 12 p.m.- 4 p.m.
Centennial Field 鈥� Free
Edmonton鈥檚 Telus World of Science is inviting youngsters to explore various areas of science with hands-on demonstrations, experiments and tabletop displays that explore the nature of light, optics, projectiles, cool chemistry, brainteasers and other science topics.
The Big Band Expo features three free events:
1. Inflatable planetarium
Show times are every half hour starting at noon and running until 4 p.m. Maximum group size for each showing is approximately 30 individuals. The planetarium is located at JJSHS鈥檚 gymnasium鈥攁cross from Centennial Field.
2. Nocturnal animal adaptations
While the stars may show themselves off during dark nights in Jasper, the animals are doing quite the opposite. Join a Parks Canada interpreter to learn how Jasper鈥檚 nocturnal animals thrive in the darkness, with a display all about nocturnal animal adaptations.
3. Green screen photography
Not everyone wants to wait up until the wee hours of the morning to get the perfect picture of the dark sky.
If you want to be in that dramatic dark sky photo but also want to keep your regular sleep pattern, drop by Parks Canada's green screen and choose from three different dark sky backdrops.
Beyond the stars
Friday, Oct. 21 鈥� Lake Annette
8 p.m.-11 p.m. 鈥� Free
The party really gets going along the shores of Lake Annette for what is promised to be one of the most memorable stargazing experiences in the world. This event offers people of all ages a variety of free, intimate and interactive programming with Telus World of Science鈥揈dmonton, the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada-Edmonton Centre, Dark Sky Photographers, Parks Canada interpreters and other special guests.
The evening will be filled with several guest speakers, telescopes, campfires and live music provided by Jasper鈥檚 own Warrior Women.
For this event there will also be a free shuttle every 15 minutes from 7:30 p.m. until 10:45 p.m. The shuttle will leave from Centennial Field and the Sawridge Inn.
Parking is extremely limited. Shuttles provide event goers with the best access to the event.
Big Bang Expo鈥攔ound two
Saturday, Oct. 22 鈥� Centennial Field
11 a.m.- 3 p.m. 鈥� Free
Round two of the kid-friendly day is even better than ever. Along with the inflatable planetarium, nocturnal animal adaptations and green screen photography of Friday, Saturday鈥檚 activities on the field also include pop bottle rocket launches, special guest speakers highlighting the unique wonders of space, live music by Jasper鈥檚 own Warrior Woman鈥攁nd so much more including peering at the day鈥檚 sky through state of the art telescopes. 聽
Stargazing in Jasper
Saturday, Oct. 22 鈥� Jasper Information Centre Lawn
8 p.m.-10 p.m. 鈥� Free
Join astronomers from the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada鈥檚 Edmonton Centre for a free stargazing night in Jasper. Chat with a professional astronomer and view celestial delights through powerful telescopes. If you need assistance using your own telescope, bring it along and staff will be happy to set you up.
