Organizers of the Jasper Dark Sky Festival have upped the ante this year with two headline acts that are sure to be out of this world.
After an extremely successful festival last year, organizers decided to welcome back Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield to share stories about his career, his time spent both on and off the planet and his experience aboard the International Space Station.
Last October, Hadfield launched rockets on Centennial Field, played music with Jay Ingram—former host of the Discovery Channel’s Daily Planet—and gave a keynote address to a sold out audience of more than 900 people, including 700 people from out of town.
Later that evening, he also hosted an exclusive event on Whistlers Mountain.
“We thought bringing Chris Hadfield in on Friday night we’d be able to increase out of town visitation because we know people will travel to see him,” explained Bryan Attree, director of business development with Tourism Jasper.
In anticipation of the big event, organizers have expanded the weekend festival to accommodate 1,200 people inside the tent.
As well as Hadfield, Tourism Jasper has snagged Grant Imahara, Kari Byron and Tory Belleci, the former co-hosts of Discovery Channel’s hit show Mythbusters, who will bust several stubborn myths about the solar system.
“It brings another element of science into the Dark Sky Festival,” said Attree.
In addition to the two presentations, Tourism Jasper is partnering with Edmonton’s TELUS World of Science to add additional programming throughout the festival.
“They bring experience, expertise, passion and great connections with the scientific community and astronomers,” said Atree.
As with previous years, Lake Annette will again be transformed into a stargazers paradise, with programming from TELUS World of Science Edmonton, the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, dark sky photographers and Parks Canada interpreters.
Prior to the festival kicking off, Edmonton’s Symphony Orchestra Strings will, for the second year, perform a concert under the stars at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Oct. 3.
Jasper National Park was officially designated a dark sky preserve in 2011 by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. Encompassing over 11,000 square kms, Jasper is one of the largest dark sky preserves in the world. Since then, it has used that designation to create the popular Dark Sky Festival, which has grown each year.
Tickets will go on sale July 3 at www.eventbrite.ca
Paul Clarke
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