Before the third annual Dark Sky Festival was even complete, Tourism Jasper announced its big plans for 2014鈥攑lans that include Canada鈥檚 most famous astronaut: Commander Chris Hadfield.
The news was announced Saturday night during Dinner with the Stars at Pyramid Lake Resort and was then quickly spread on social media, bringing much hype to next year鈥檚 event.
Hadfield, the first Canadian to walk in space and to command the International Space Station (ISS), is a household name. He鈥檚 best known for his his quirky YouTube videos demonstrating how he does everyday things in space and for his music videos, including one for David Bowie鈥檚 Space Oddity.
While in Jasper next October, Hadfield, who returned to Earth in May after spending 146 days steering the ISS, will host a private event held at a secret Jasper location and he will also be available for mixing and mingling during various other events.
In a video message, the space icon apologized for not making it to this year鈥檚 event and said, 鈥淚 really look forward to being there in a year and enjoying it in person myself.
鈥淸Jasper] is a place where you can just, at an individual level, settle in and get an appreciation of the wonder of the universe.鈥�
Mary Darling, CEO of Tourism Jasper鈥攖he marketing organization that spearheads the festival鈥攕tated in a press release, to have 鈥渟uch an icon of space travel and Canada鈥檚 most renowned astronaut joining us to headline the 2014 Jasper Dark Sky Festival will no doubt be the pinnacle of the event to date.
鈥淲e know that having Chris Hadfield as our principle guest will add yet another dimension to an event that is rapidly building momentum within Alberta and beyond, ensuring that the Jasper Dark Sky Festival continues to resonate with visitors year after year.鈥�
Also announced during the weekend is Tourism Jasper鈥檚 plan to make the festival a 10-day event, which will also include a performance by the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. That concert will take place under the stars at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.
To see Hadfield鈥檚 video address, visit Tourism Jasper鈥檚 YouTube channel.
Nicole Veerman
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