Article by Marty Proctor, SOUTH LAKE TABLET
Groveland is on the way to becoming a DarkSky community. Cherrylake Tree Farm has hundreds of acres of trees growing quietly, especially at night. Put the two together and you get a Star Party. This will be the first event of its kind in the area, so you can be a part of making history.
What is a star party? A chance to get out at night, see and learn about the night sky and enjoy the wonders up above. The Central Florida Astronomical Society will be on hand with telescopes and knowledge to share and show everyone the night sky. Representatives of Groveland’s DarkSky team and DarkSky local advocates will be on hand to share the news and success of the city’s work to save the night sky.
Cherrylake will be sharing its amazing tree-filled property and providing space for food trucks and kids’ activities. “This is going to be special because the farm is magical at night. It’s definitely going to be a new way to experience Cherrylake,” shared Chloe Gentry. She, along with siblings Timothee Sallin and Melanie Ressler are co-CEOs of IMG Enterprises, parent company of Cherrylake. Who added, “We are happy to support the city and also love sharing the beauty of the farm with the community.”
You are invited to join this free stargazing event set in an amazing venue. Bring a chair or blanket and whisper a prayer for clear skies! Take advantage of this opportunity to learn about the stars, DarkSky and what you can do to enjoy and improve our night sky. I’ll quote Chloe again to close, “It’s exciting to see Groveland taking such a strong stance on preserving our natural environment through the Dark Skies initiative.”
Star Gaze on Friday, February 17, from 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM at Cherrylake Tree Farm, 7836 Cherry Lake Road in Groveland. For more information, see: Cherrylake or City of Groveland websites or Facebook pages.
Contact Regan Armstrong at regan.armstrong@groveland-fl.gov for questions
