COUDERSPORT— On Friday, Saturday and Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, free programs and activities are being offered at Cherry Springs State park. All stargazing and other programs are free unless stated otherwise and will be cancelled if it rains or thunders.
Anyone may observe the night sky at Cherry Springs on his or her own without attending a stargazing program. All visitors should arrive before dark. Search for the Clear Sky Chart online for 48-hour forecasts about viewing conditions.
Those who get to the park early are always welcome to bring a picnic supper and make use of the park’s picnic grove near the Night Sky Viewing Area. The grove has picnic tables and charcoal grills onsite. Registration is NOT required to picnic in the park.
May 24: Park Welcome & Walking Tour
Arrive early and join park staff from 8 to 8:45 p.m. for a short, guided walk of park facilities to learn about their past, present and future. All ages are welcome. Meet at the information kiosk near the restroom in the visitor parking area on the north side of Route 44. The walk is less than a mile on mostly level terrain. Registration is NOT required.
May 25: Launch Into Space
From 8 to 8:45 p.m. on Saturday, May 25, join park staff at the Night Sky Viewing Area for astronomy-themed educational games that provide an introduction to astronomy and the Night Sky Tour program that follows. Registration is NOT required for this fun, family-friendly, free event.
May 26: Nature at Night
Planning to attend the Sunday, May 26 Night Sky Tour program at the Night Sky Viewing Area? Arrive early and join park staff from 8 to 8:45 p.m. for a family-friendly program on fascinating night creatures, such as fireflies, bats, black bears, coyotes or others based on animal activity in the park. Registration is NOT required.
May 24-26: Night Sky Tour (Pre-registration is required.)
From 9:30 to 11 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 24, 25 and 26 in the Night Sky Viewing Area, experience the splendor of the night sky. Park staff will give a laser-guided tour of the constellations and recount the legends and myths surrounding these mysterious patterns. Afterwards, take an up close look at celestial objects through park telescopes.
May 25 & 26: Around the World in 80 Minutes (Prepayment and pre-registration are required)
Pre-register for a small group experience with the North Star Outdoor Guides’ Dark Sky Telescope Tours to ensure maximum telescope time and a more individualized program at Cherry Springs State Park. The Around the World in 80 MInutes tour is being offered at 9:15 p.m. on Saturday, May 25 and again on Sunday, May 26. Included will be a discussion of the importance of the dark skies, a Native American Night Sky story, a laser-guided tour of various constellations and telescope viewing. Each person in a group must pre-register separately. The price is $20 per person. A maximum of 16 people can pre-register per night. For additional details, visit http://events.dcnr.pa.gov/cherry_springs_state_park.
