Stellar Times: Inaugural Lake City Star Fest

Photos by Michael Underwood Photography.

Star lovers and astronomy professionals are communing in Lake City, Colorado for the first Lake City Star Fest from June 7-11, 2023.The event, brought to star lovers by The Lake Fork Valley Conservancy, Lake City Skies and the Hinsdale County Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center, celebrates and showcases the extraordinary darkness of Hinsdale County through numerous events, including free and low-cost events during the festival open to anyone, from experienced astronomers to first-time stargazers.

“Lake City is the perfect place for this event, because we have world-class darkness here. Our Sky-Quality Meter (SQM) rating is Bortle Class 1, which is a technical way of saying it’s about as dark as it gets from the surface of the planet. Light pollution is not an issue at our observation sites like it is in other places, and the elevation helps too,” explains Zach Dutra, executive director of the Lake Fork Valley Conservancy and part of the Lake City Star Fest planning committee.

Dark sky professionals can enjoy the Dark Sky Summit, which takes place on June7 and 8. This is a ticketed event that includes guest speakers, networking opportunities and regional updates. The culmination of this portion of Lake City Star Fest is the Celestial Celebration that will take place at Lake CityArts. This evening will feature art inspired by the night sky while guests enjoy hors d’oeuvres and a keynote address from the International Dark Sky Association.

The stellar family fun kicks off on June 9 with opportunities to safely view the sun through a solar telescope, watch space and sci-fi-themed films at the Mountaineer Movie theatre, take in the night sky at a star party and more.

The Lake City community has implemented impressive efforts to bring awareness to and protect the dark sky. The Lake Fork Valley Conservancy’s Lake Fork Earth and Sky Center is protected by a conservation easement, and it is a registered International Dark Sky Park with the International Dark Sky Association.

“I see Lake City Star Fest as a representation of the community’s support for the rising dark sky movement, not just in Lake City but across the entire state,” Dutra shares. Whatever your connection to the dark sky, Lake City Star Fest offers an opportunity to admire and learn about the brilliant night sky from the great state of Colorado.

Tickets and information can be found at lakecitystarfest.com.

Originally published in the Summer 2023 issue of Spoke+Blossom.