On Saturday, Feb. 27, the Palm Beach County Environmental Resources Management and Parks & Recreation departments will “celebrate the night and turn down the lights” by hosting the fourth annual Dark Sky Festival at the Okeeheelee Nature Center from 6 to 10 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
The purpose of the Dark Sky Festival is to expose citizens to the marvels of astronomy and the importance of protecting dark skies, not just for astronomy purposes, but also for human health and the values that darkness provides to area wildlife. The festival will include stargazing with local astronomers, night time photography lectures, exhibits, vendors, nature walks, a children’s activity area, food trucks, a campfire and more.
Dr. Mario E. Motta of the American Medical Association will discuss light pollution and human health. Shari Blissett-Clark, a member of the Florida Bat Conservancy Board, will lecture about the importance of bats in our environment and have live bats on exhibit. New this year will be the premier of the short film, Pitch Black Light, A Journey Through America’s Darkest Skies, featuring stunning night-sky time-lapse images captured by local artist Max Jackson.
The Okeeheelee Nature Center is located in Okeeheelee Park at 7715 Forest Hill Blvd. For more info., contact Jacey Biery at jbiery@pbcgov.org or visit www.pbcgov.com/erm/darkskyfest.
