Take a good look at the starry skies Friday and Saturday with park rangers and awesome telescopes during the Fifth Annual Night Sky Fiesta at Bandelier National Monument. Photo Courtesy NPS
BANDELIER NEWS
Entrance fees at Bandelier National Monument, and throughout the entire National Park System, will be waived on Saturday, Sept. 28 to celebrate National Public Lands Day (NPLD). NPLD is a celebration of all public lands across the nation. As Supt. Jason Lott said, “Bandelier is always a great place to visit, but this weekend is going to be extra special. Come take a walk on the trails and then enjoy special evening events.” (The last fee free day this year will be Veterans Day, Nov. 11.)
Friday and Saturday, Sept. 27 and 28, take a good look at the starry skies with park rangers and awesome telescopes during the Fifth Annual Night Sky Fiesta. Special presentations begin at 6:30 p.m. on both nights at the amphitheater in Juniper Campground.
Friday night, Night Sky Ranger Geoff Goins from Capulin Volcano National Monument returns to Bandelier to present a celestial ranger program. On Saturday, the Santa Fe Brass quintet will inspire the audience with a musical performance. Following the programs on both nights, until about 10:30 p.m., visitors will be able to participate in night sky viewing and play in a “Telescope Sandbox.” Solar scopes will be set up on Saturday afternoon on the back porch of the visitor center. Of course, all of these activities depend on weather and cloud cover, but so far the forecasts look favorable!
A cadre of volunteers will be taking part in a reforestation effort that includes PEEC and other entities over this NPLD weekend as well. Thousands of Douglas Fir and Ponderosa Pine seedlings will be planted in the areas of the park impacted by the Las Conchas fire.
The free shuttle from White Rock is required for those visitors who decide to go to Bandelier between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. (Please allow extra time for travel into the park while the pavement preservation project continues on Entrance Road.) The last day of the shuttle season this year will be Oct. 16.
For more details or other information about Bandelier National Monument, contact the Bandelier Visitor Center at 505-672-3861 x 517 or visit www.nps.gov/band, on Facebook, BandelierNPS.
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